This season to watch their favorite stars perform live. Don’t miss the action, plan a summer tennis event getaway today and enjoy the best of sport and entertainment.

Atlanta Tennis Championships

The wait has been much too long but the celebration is loud and clear:
Southerners are cheering the return of professional tennis to Atlanta.
   It’s been nine long years without a top level tennis tournament in the South’s largest sports market but the ATP World Tour is returning to the same location where Andy Roddick won his first pro tournament in 2001.
   Atlanta Tennis Championships run July 17-25 at the Atlanta Athletic Club in the suburb of Johns Creek; the first two days are set for qualifying. The 250 ATP World Tour tournament kicks off the Olympus US Open Series, a string of 10 tournaments around North America that lead to America’s Grand Slam. All Olympus US Open Series tournaments are played on the same blue hard
courts used at the US Open. That means theAtlanta Athletic Club, site of numerous high level golf tournaments including the 2011 PGA Championship, is installing new courts where there once was green clay.

  “The inclusion of Atlanta in the Olympus US Open Series greatly enhances its prestige
over the previous tournament’s status as a clay-court tournament in May,” Tournament Director Bill Oakes said. “Now, we’re moving to a much higher visibility and influential spot in the men’s tour. Considering we drew more than 75,000 fans to the old tournament, the Atlanta Tennis Championships should be much more popular.”

  Part of the growing buzz about the tournament comes from the lineup of star players who have committed to play in the 28-man main draw. Top 20 player John Isner is a Georgia favorite, as the native of Greensboro, N.C., anchored the University of Georgia team that won the 2008 NCAA championship. Isner won his first ATP tournament earlier this year in Brisbane.

  2005 US Open semifinalist Robby Ginepri, who lives in nearby Marietta, continues the hometown feel.

  Former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt will bring his Australian swagger to Atlanta, brandishing his signature fist pump and yells of “C’mon!” The winner of 2002 Wimbledon and the 2001 US Open remains a force on the ATP World Tour.

  Once listed in People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” issue, James Blake will also be on hand to showcase the penetrating forehand that propelled him to No. 4.

  Additionally, during the same week, the site will also host the US Open Men’s National Playoffs that will earn one player entry into the US Open Qualifying Tournament.

  For fans who can’t make it to Atlanta, there will be plenty of television coverage with eight hours on ESPN2 and six hours on the Tennis Channel.

  Without a doubt, this July will show the highest level of tennis the South has seen for more than a decade.

  Premium tickets have sold quickly and daily tickets went on sale in late March. Call 678-527-2138,
e-mail to tickets@atlantatennischampionships.com or visit www.atlantatennischampionships.com.

Bank of the West Classic

Following a record-setting year, the Bank of the West Classic is ready to celebrate 40 years of World Class Tennis in the Bay Area. As the longest-running women-only tennis tournament in the world, the Bank of the West Classic is proud to boast an impressive list of past champions from Billie Jean King to Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Chris Evert, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams. In 2010, the event will welcome superstar Maria Sharapova, Top 10 standout Elena
Dementieva, and a host of talent from the WTA’s ranks.
  In 2009, Marion Bartoli emerged as the last woman standing after an impressive run where she held off fast-rising American Melanie Oudin and Top 10 standouts Sam Stosur and Jelena Jankovic before taking down perennial power Venus Williams in the championship.
  Not only were fans witness to first-class tennis, but many were able to take advantage of the first-class facilities and hospitality. Throughout the week the Bank of the West treated customers to wine tastings, lunches and unique meet-and-greets with athletes in the California sunshine on Stanford’s campus. Bank customers weren’t the only ones in on the action, though, as fans were able to interact with many of the top names in tennis as Sharapova, Jankovic, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and eventual champ Bartoli all participated in fan autograph signings, allowing tennis die-hards a chance to get close to their favorite superstars.
  Once again, the Bank of the West Classic will treat fans to many opportunities to meet their favorite players, watch amazing tennis and participate in events from Family Day to the Meet the Players Party and much more. As the event recognizes 40 years of tennis, expect many surprises from the best in women’s tennis, both nationally and locally.
  Coming back in 2010, fans can expect more world class tennis under the sun and stars in the Taube Family Tennis Stadium. The event will begin on Monday, July 26 with finals on Sunday, August 1, 2010. Qualifying starts the weekend before and is free and open to the public on July 24-25. Check out www.BankoftheWestClassic.com for event and ticket information.