The Inaugural ATX Open gets underway

AND SO IT BEGINS…
The Dropshot Series Dream officially becomes a reality today. The draws are made, the players are here and the stage is set. For Austin’s first ever tour level event, singles main draw matches begin today and it promises to be an action-packed affair from the first ball. One of the treats for the fans at a 32-player event is that everyone you could hope to see will play in the first two days. No byes.

ALL-AMERICAN AFFAIR
A day of excitement begins with an all-American affair. In January, 21-year-old Katie Volynets made an impressive run to the 3rd round of the Australian Open helping boost her into the WTA Top 100 for the first time. She will take on the experienced Alison Riske-Armritraj who has reached 13 career WTA finals.

PARKS AND GO
Anyone who has paid any attention to recent tennis headlines has certainly heard the name Alycia Parks. The 22-year-old wrapped her 2022 season by winning back-to-back WTA 125 singles titles. But it was less than three weeks ago when she leaped onto the tennis headlines by stunning world No. 5 Caroline Garcia to lift the first Hologic WTA singles title of her career in Lyon. She will be facing the 2021 H-E-B Women’s Pro Tennis Champion, Mirjam Bjorklund, in what will certainly be a battle of wills.

MUST SEE MONDAY NIGHT
All eyes will be on Stadium Court for some of the most highly anticipated storylines of the tournament. In the opening match, Parks returns to court, this time teaming up with the 2017 US Open singles champion and fellow American Sloane Stephens. The Americans will take on the Ukrainian pair of Dayana Yastremska and Australian Open doubles semifinalist Marta Kostyuk. Expect a Billie Jean King Cup atmosphere.

LONGHORN LEGEND
The collective attention of the Austin tennis community will be fixated on the nightcap match featuring hometown hero, Peyton Stearns. She might be from Ohio originally, but Austin has wholeheartedly embraced her as one of its own. As a college freshman, she would help the University of Texas win its first NCAA national team title in 26 years. The following year she would not only help the Longhorns repeat but also became the first player in school history to win the NCAA singles championship. Her professional tennis success has been notable with five ITF singles titles (two already this year). By winning the H-E-B Women’s Pro Tennis Open last fall, she claimed the Dropshot Series title and was granted a wildcard into the inaugural ATX Open.