SPORTS

Women's pro tennis tournament to launch in Austin in 2023

Kirk Bohls
Austin American-Statesman
The DropShot Tournament Series announced Monday that the Women’s Tennis Association Tour has selected Austin as one of only four women’s-only Tour level tennis tournaments in the country. The initial event will be held in 2023.

Professional tennis is returning to Austin.

The DropShot Tournament Series announced Monday that the Women’s Tennis Association Tour has selected Austin as one of only four women’s-only Tour level tennis tournaments in the country.

The ATX Open will feature the top female players in the nation and around the world and will launch on Feb. 26 in 2023. Details will be forthcoming.

Austin was chosen by the WTA Tour as a host site for this WTA 250tournament, officials said, because of the city’s commitment to achieving greater wellness and advancing opportunities for women athletes.

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“From the birth of women’s professional tennis in 1970 to the founding of the WTA in 1973 we have strived to provide more playing opportunities around the world on the WTA Tour,” WTA founder Billie Jean King said in a statement. “The addition of the ATX Open in Austin will bring world-class tennis to one of the fastest growing markets in the country and will be a shining example of why women’s tennis is the leader in women’s sports.” 

WTA president Micky Lawler added her enthusiasm for the event.

“We are delighted the Hologic WTA Tour will be coming to Austin for the first time next year, with excitement already building ahead of the 2023 event,” Lawler said. “The ATX Open will provide the perfect platform to showcase some of the best female tennis players in the world.”

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“Austin is already home to a thriving professional sports and events scene — including SXSW, an F1 race, a major league soccer team and a professional golf tournament — and the ATX Open is a perfect addition to that mix,” said DropShot Tournament founder Bryan Sheffield. “We are eager to showcase the most talented women athletes from across the globe in this world-class city and look forward to a celebrated partnership with the WTA for years to come.” 

“The ATX Open will bring people from all over the world to our city, as well as reach millions of viewers on television,” said Christo Van Rensburg, the DropShot Series Tournament director. “To be able to host the greatest tennis players in the world in our city is a tremendous honor. We look forward to putting on a tournament that highlights our commitment to the empowerment of women, while providing tennis fans with a front row seat to the best competition around.”