NEWPORT – The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum’s signature summer event will see a significant revamp next year, including having women play on the hall of fame’s grass courts for the first time in more than three decades. During a press conference on Wednesday, Tennis Hall of Fame leadership announced the facility will
Already a Subscriber? Log in
To Continue Reading This Article
Become a Providence Business News subscriber and get immediate access to all of our premier content and much more.Learn More and Become a Subscriber
- Critical RI business news and analysis updated daily.
- 1 year of print (26 issues).
- Unlimited access to all subscriber only content on our website, on any device.
- Free email alerts.
- Annual Book of Lists Print Edition.
- All special issues produced during subscription term.
Click Here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article
PBN Branded Content
Facing the Holidays with a Cancer Diagnosis
The holidays are often painted as a time of joy, tradition, and togetherness. But for…
Learn More
THE ENSHRINEMENT CEREMONY at the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, which has been part of the annual Hall of Fame Open festivities, will start next year being a separate event from the tennis tournament. / COURTESY INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM[/caption]
Rowe told Providence Business News on Wednesday the Tennis Hall of Fame wants to represent the entire sport. Plus, Tennis Hall of Fame leadership were frequently asked why women – who are inducted into the hall of fame – weren’t playing competitively at the hall of fame and when it will return, Rowe said.
Along with promoting gender equity, including having equal prize money for men and women, Rowe said the Tennis Hall of Fame was presented an opportunity to combine the two tournament groups and “couldn’t pass it up.” Also, the event welcoming both genders competing is “more appealing” to companies and organizations, and the Tennis Hall of Fame believes it has a chance for more partners signing up to be a part of the new event.
“Both the WTA and ATP Challenger tours were wholly supportive of becoming the second combined professional tennis challenger-level event here in North America,” Rowe said. “It is a sport for both genders and the hall of fame couldn’t be happier to support both brands.”
Rowe says the Tennis Hall of Fame’s current sponsor agreement with Infosys Ltd. runs through next spring. The organization is currently negotiating to further the partnership, he said.
Rowe also said the hall of fame, with this new event, will help inspire a new generation of tennis players and fans. He said the ATP Challenger and WTA 125 levels feature up-and-coming talent and being showcased in the City by the Sea will help advance the sport.
The separation of the Hall of Fame Open and the induction ceremonies could also lead to the Tennis Hall of Fame welcoming more people to visit and experience the events. Rowe said various tennis legends, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, “deserve a celebration that is unique of their careers,” hence the want to honor those who devoted their lives to the sport in standalone events.
“To layer those legends in with professional tennis [competition], the juxtaposition did not work,” Rowe said. “So, the plan was to decouple them.”
Rowe said it costs around $2.5 million to run the Hall of Fame Open, and the event generates $2.5 million through ticket sales, corporate sponsors, media and television rights. He expects the event costs and revenue will remain the same with the new tournament format next year.
The current Hall of Fame Open has been sold out the last three days, Rowe said, with around 3,500 to 4,000 people taking in tennis on the hall of fame’s grounds. Unlike the hall of fame’s