The Greater Lansing Sports Authority and the Mid-Michigan Tennis Association are excited to announce the first men's professional tennis event ever in the state of Michigan is coming to Greater Lansing this winter.
The Capital City Tennis Classic will bring 120 to 170 of the top men's singles and doubles players from around the world for a multi-day event from November 17 to the 24th. The event is sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and players will compete for $15,000 in prize money.
“Lansing is the perfect host city for many reasons. Not only is the city growing, but the greater Lansing area has four racquet clubs that train some of the top junior players in Michigan and the Midwest. And of course, East Lansing is the home of men's and women's division 1 collegiate tennis at MSU,” said Tournament Director Cody Cross. “Our central location makes us an accessible destination for anyone in the state. Bringing a professional level tennis tournament to Lansing adds to the great tennis culture we already have. Hopefully the event inspires our junior players and brings players in from surrounding cities to see all that Lansing has to offer.”
Mike Price, Executive Director of the Greater Lansing Sports Authority shares Cross' feelings about the importance of the event and the fact that Greater Lansing is a great fit as host city.
“The Capital City Tennis Classic will draw some of the world's top tennis athletes for a week of first-rate competition,” said Price. “What a great opportunity for young players in Michigan shaping the future of the sport to get invaluable experience in high-level competition from around the world.”
East Lansing native, former top 3 player in the world and current CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Todd Martin shares the planner’s enthusiasm about the event. “I’m very pleased to know that these key local parties have made a commitment to hosting an ITF Transition Tour event. The transition from amateur to professional tennis is a massive challenge and only navigated successfully by few,” said Martin. “What is happening in November is an important step on the developmental ladder that all great players have to take.”
Matches will begin daily at 10 a.m. and run to 7 p.m. from November 18th until the event wraps up on the 24th. The event will include a kids tennis clinic on November 16th at 10 a.m. and a Pro-Am on November 17th at 6 p.m.
The event is scheduled for November 17-24, 2019. If members of the media would like to attend the event’s Kid’s Clinic on Saturday, or participate in the Pro-Am on Friday, please reach out to Harry Judan at harryjudan@gmail.com. To learn more about the event visit: https://capitalcitytennisclassic.com. For more information about the GLSA visit www.lansingsports.org.
Local competitors are sure to be a point of interest for media and spectators alike. Okemos High School Sophomore Ozan Colak will receive a Wild Card into the tournament and 2019 Mr. Tennis and Michigan State Commit, Luke Baylis, will be receiving a Wild Card as well. Additionally, Will Cooksey, a High School Junior from Grosse Pointe, will be competing along with 6 Michigan State University tennis players competing unattached as amateurs.
Preview the entry list and see the players competing at the following link: https://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/tournaments/men's-tournament/info.aspx?tournamentid=1100045641\
