2015 Tennis Classic of Macon Moves to Mercer University
6/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
MACON, Ga. - Professional tennis returns to Macon this fall. Following a successful two-year run at Stratford Academy, this year's USTA Pro Circuit 50K events moves to Mercer University's Leroy Peddy Tennis Center.
The presenting sponsor, The W.L. Amos Sr. Foundation and Mercer head men's and women's coach, Eric Hayes, make sure this event keeps getting bigger and better each year.
"We are very excited to have the USTA Tennis Classic of Macon at Mercer University this coming October," said Hayes, who had run this event in Troy, Ala. for 10 years before moving it to Macon. "There have been major improvements to the facility that include resurfacing all the courts, adding new fencing, and more is being planned. Want to thank Stratford Academy for letting me host the event the last two years and all the help given, specifically Jaime Kaplan. Jaime will still be heavily involved in the tournament. By moving the event will bring tremendous exposure to Mercer and the tennis program. We will also be able have night matches now that will attract a great crowd after work to a centralized part of Macon"
Hayes says he is always looking for additional partners for the tournament and there still is time to get involved.
"It has been great to see the entire Macon tennis community get behind the tournament and interact with the players," explained Hayes. "Talking to the players, I think they had even more fun than the fans. We need to continue getting that support and then keep building on it."
This year, the Tennis Classic of Macon will once again be a 50K event.
The last two years, Middle Georgia tennis fans have been treated to watching the likes of Ajla Tomljanovic, Madison Brengle, Irina Falconi, Nicole Gibbs and Sachia Vickery play at Stratford. These players all have spent time in the top-100 in the world. Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine is the defending singles champion.
Tickets will be available soon, and volunteers will be needed once again. Call Mercer tennis coach and tournament director Eric Hayes at (478) 301-2269.
