February 2-9 Dates Set
For Midland Tennis Event
$75,000 Dow Corning/USTA Women’s Challenger enters its 15th year
January 3, 2003
By: O. J. Cunningham
Last year’s singles champion was Na Li of the People’s Republic of China
Over 15,000 tennis fans from Mid-Michigan are expected to watch the action
Midland, MI: The dates for Michigan's only regularly-scheduled professional tennis tournament have been set for February 2-9, 2003, in Midland as the Dow Corning/USTA Women's Challenger enters its 15th year.
The tournament offers $75,000 in prize money and is only one of five in the nation at this level on the 30-stop women's International Tennis Federation tour. The ITF satellite circuit sends players on to the WTA tournaments.
Hosted by the Midland Community Tennis Center and sponsored by the Dow Corning Corporation, numerous top WTA stars have played it including Mary Pierce, Anna Kournikova, Alexandra Stevenson, Chandra Rubin, Justine Henin, Anastasia Mystina and Anna Smashnova.
Over 15,000 tennis fans from Mid-Michigan are expected to watch the action. The tournament serves approximately 3,500 young people with a pros to schools and schools to matches program.
Tournament Director is Mike Woody, managing director of the MCTC. Admission to the day sessions is free. There is a small charge for evening matches. A 32-draw qualifying tournament is held prior to the main draw matches.
Last year's singles champion was Na Li of the People's Republic of China. The USTA has acknowledged the 15 yearsof the Challenger as the "crown jewel" on the USTA Circuits tour.
"This is the stomping ground for the players who will be the next champions, currently 1 out of 4 ranked players in the top 100 have played our event" says Woody.
Forinformation, contact the Midland Community Tennis Center 1-989-631-6151