PRESS RELEASE
Tammi Ketler, TMK Sports & Entertainment
Phone: 203-531-3047
Email: tamara@tmksande.com

HISTORIC WEST SIDE TENNIS CLUB,
FOREST HILLS, QUEENS
HOSTS PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S TENNIS TOURNAMENT
FOREST HILLS WTA TOUR CLASSIC
August 23rd - August 27th

FEATURING $75,000 IN PRIZE MONEY
Second Year for Women’s Tournament

Forest Hills, NY– The West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills, New York, will host The Forest Hills WTA Tour Classic, a women’s $75,000 warm up for the US Open and the third of three professional tennis tournaments being played at the historic Club this year. The women’s WTA event will be played August 23rd – August 27th and admission is free to the public everyday. All matches will be played on center court in the legendary stadium.

The landmark tennis club brought back professional tennis competition when it began the Forest Hills Tennis Classic Series in 2003, marking the first time since 1989 that professional tennis was played at The West Side Tennis Club. The West Side held the distinction of being the home of the US Open for more than 50 years.

In May of this year, a Men’s $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit Challenger event was played on the Club’s clay courts. It was a warm-up for players going on to the French Open. In June, a men’s grass court challenger event with $50,000 in prize money was played. It was the first of the US Grass Court Series leading up to the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, RI. This year’s women’s competition will showcase 16 of the world’s top women players. All are expected to enter the main draw of the US Open in Flushing Meadow a week later.

The West Side Tennis Club president Jack Leibler said that the upcoming women’s tournament will “give New York tennis fans a sneak preview of what is to come at the US OPEN.” He went on to say, “We are so fortunate to have these talented players with us for this event. Although qualifying rounds will be going on at the Open, this tournament lets fans get an up close view of Main Draw players who are sure to make headlines in the weeks to come. This tournament is great for not only The West Side Tennis Club, but for all of New York City and the entire tri-state region. There’s a tremendous appetite for professional tennis here in New York.”

This is the second year for The West Side Tennis Club’s WTA Tour event.

The main draw will take place Tuesday, August 23rd through Saturday, August 27th. The 16-woman draw will be available on the Club web site www.foresthillstennis.com. Played on hard courts, in the Club’s historic stadium, the tournament is a warm up to the US Open, played August 29th-September 11th.

First round main draw play begins at 10:00 am, Tuesday, August 23rd. Semi-finals competition will begin in the afternoon on Friday, August 26th. Finals will begin at 1:00 pm Saturday, August 27th.

The West Side Tennis Club, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York is currently home to more than 800 members. The Club has 39 tennis courts on 4 different surfaces. Anchored by its history, its famous stadium and familiar Tudor clubhouse, The West Side Tennis Club maintains a majestic setting and a tranquil oasis for premier tennis in the heart of New York City. For directions and to learn more about The West Side Tennis Club log on to www.foresthillstennis.com or call (718) 268-2300.