Some of the world's top female tennis players will participate in the only professional tennis tournament in Pennsylvania this summer.
After its cancellation last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Koser Jewelers Tennis Challenge, a U.S. Tennis Association Pro Circuit event, will return to the Hempfield recCenter, 950 Church St., Landisville. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 9, and end on Sunday, Aug. 15.
Many of the world's current and potential future stars will compete in the event. The players will compete in singles and doubles for a purse of $100,000 - the largest in the tournament's 14-year history.
Dozens of alumni from the event have gone on to achieve successful professional careers, including Elise Mertens, Jessica Pegula, Madison Brengle, and Jennifer Brady. Brady is representing the U.S. at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
"Most of the funds are raised locally, and we couldn't do that without our main sponsors," stated tournament director Wilson Pipkin. "It's exciting to know that our local community could come together and we could raise funds to offer this free event."
A program that Pipkin would like to introduce to the tournament this year is "Serving Up Aces." Pipkin plans to contact about 70 to 80 sponsors, asking them to donate $1 for every ace that will be hit during the tournament. "All of the money from this will go to the Hempfield Area Food Pantry, which serves about 350 families within the Hempfield School District," said Pipkin.
This year's wildcard was awarded to pro tennis player Alexa Glatch from Newport Beach, Calif. Glatch has been playing tennis since she was 5 years old and went professional at the age of 15. "It's been a long journey, lots of ups and downs," said Glatch. "I feel so fortunate to get to do what I love, and I can't thank Wilson enough for the opportunity to play in the tournament as the wildcard."
Glatch noted that there will be many great players and a strong field - emphasizing that it may be the strongest field that the tournament has ever had.
Those interested in volunteering or sponsoring the event may contact Pipkin at wpipkin@hempfieldrec.com or 717-471-8286. For more information about the tournament, visit https://bit.ly/kosertennis.
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