Wichita Tennis Open returns this June with professional tennis and so much more

07 May Wichita Tennis Open returns this June with professional tennis and so much more

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The always exciting Wichita Tennis Open returns to the Wichita State University campus on June 8-22, and this year’s tournament is chock full of high-caliber tennis and fun-filled events, many of which are open to the public. For the full schedule of events, click here.

As the only pro-level tournament in Kansas, the Wichita Tennis Open—a USTA Pro Circuit event—draws some of the top college and international tennis talent to the state each year for the men’s and women’s events. It’s one of the best ways to see these rising stars in action, many of whom go on to join the ATP and WTA tours.

“Twelve or so years ago, a group of women from the Maureen Connolly Brinker Foundation of Kansas decided we needed a pro-level tournament in Wichita and started the research, applications and fundraising needed to host the tournament,” said Kate Foss, Wichita Tennis Open assistant tournament director and USTA Missouri Valley Executive Board secretary. “The Wichita Community Tennis Foundation was formed to support this effort.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating the 10th year of the men’s Wichita Tennis Open. This will be the fourth year for the women’s tournament. The players are mostly college players, and our tennis fans follow as they compete against each other at the college level. We follow their careers as they advance to the Challenger, 250, 500, 1000 and some make it to the Grand Slam level.”

As one can imagine it takes a lot of hard work from several individuals—including those from the USTA like Foss and Jaren Glaser—as well as Tournament Director Nick Taylor, the community and Wichita State University tennis teams and coaches to pull off an event of this caliber.

It’s worth it in the end, though, as the Wichita Tennis Open is a fun way to bring the community together for tennis and events for all ages. The WTO men’s tournament takes place June 8-15 with a $25,000 purse, and the WTO women’s tourney is June 15-22 and features a $35,000 purse.

While the pro tourneys are in their final planning stages there are several community events that have been confirmed, all of which will take place during the tournament’s run. Among them are a tennis fashion show, community tennis clinic, wheelchair tennis demo and the Maureen Connolly Brinker Kids’ Day event, which is on June 17.

“This year Cindy Brinker Simmons—Maureen’s daughter and founder of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation—will be visiting the tournament on Thursday, June 12, for a book signing and will participate in our closed community event, USTA Kids’ Day, on Friday, June 13,” Foss said.

The exclusive signing for Brinker Simmons’ book, “Restored: Reconnecting Life’s Broken Pieces,” is slated for June 12 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Wichita State University’s Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex.