FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club Hosts
Sarasota Open USTA Pro Circuit Men’s Tournament, April 12 – 20, 2014
Over 500 volunteers and ball-persons needed!
Training sessions to be held March 23rd and 30th
[Longboat Key, FL – March 20, 2014] Now in its seventh year, the Tennis Gardens at
Longboat Key Club is the site of the hottest tennis action on the west coast of Florida as
it plays host to the 2014 Sarasota Open USTA Pro Circuit Men’s Tournament, April 12 –
20, 2014.
Bigger and better than ever, the well-established and popular event sets in motion nine
days of challenging tournament action, courtside entertainment and dining, and a line-up
of exciting promotional events. A tournament for tennis enthusiasts and sports fans
alike, the $100,000 prize purse, the intimate, world-class setting of the Tennis Gardens
and the allure of Sarasota’s renowned tennis community draws top-ranked players from
around the world as they vie for championship status and a shot at a wild card entry into
the French Open (Roland Garros).
A new line-up of daily entertainment, “theme” days and the addition of the Paragon Art
Festival will round out the experience for attendees at this year’s tournament. Luxury,
tented suites with seating for ten will be available offering private televisions and access
to a semi-private bar. The Sarasota Open Player’s Party takes place at a luxury private
residence in Downtown Sarasota on April 14th. John Isner, #10 ATP Singles player and
top ranked American player, along with Tennis Hall of Fame coach, Nick Bollettieri, will
be in attendance to greet the crowd. Tickets are now on sale for all tournament events
and can be purchased online at www.SarasotaOpen.org or by calling (941) 809-8996.
Want to be part of all the Sarasota Open action? Over 500 volunteers and ball-persons
are needed to make this tournament the success that it is. This is your chance to get
close to all the action and to participate in one of the region’s most exclusive tennis
events. Training sessions will be held at the Tennis Gardens on March 23rd and 30th. If
you are interested in signing up as a general volunteer please contact Heather at 941735-5822 or Heather@tdaglobal.com. If you are interested in signing up as a ball-person
please contact Ciara at 941-962-5001 or Ciara@tdaglobal.com.
Sarasota Open 2014 Event Schedule
(All events take place at the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club unless otherwise noted.)
April 4 – 6, 2014
The Joey Gratton Charity Tennis Tournament and
The Sarasota Open Singles Wild Card Tournament
(These tournaments are open to all players. The Doubles winner receives a Wild Card entry into
the Sarasota Open Doubles Qualifier and the Singles winner receives a Wild Card entry into the
Sarasota Open Singles Qualifier. Tournaments take place at Laurel Oaks.)
April 12 – 13, 2014
Men’s Qualifying Tournaments (play begins at 10 am)
April 14, 2014
Men’s Main Draw begins (play begins at 11 am)
John Isner Autograph Signing Session
Sarasota Open Player’s Party – at a private penthouse residence
in Downtown Sarasota. Meet John Isner, #10 ATP Singles player
and top ranked American player, Tennis Hall of Fame coach, Nick
Bollettieri and others. Tickets are $100, only 100 tickets available.
7pm – 10 pm
April 15 – 18, 2014
Tournament Action Continues (play begins at 11 am)
April 17, 2014
Women’s Draw begins (play begins at 11 am)
April 19, 2014
Tournament action continues (play begins at 1 pm)
April 20, 2014
Men’s Finals, (tournament play begins at 4 pm)
About the Sarasota Open
The Sarasota Open is the largest USTA sanctioned tennis event in the Sarasota area attracting over 30,000
patrons annually. Now in its 7th year, the tournament has evolved into the most prestigious clay court event
prior to the French Open. Previous winners include Alex Kuznetsov, Sam Querrey, James Blake and Kei
Nishikori. The week long events include qualifying rounds for both men’s and ladies’ tournaments, main
draw play and final championship matches on center court. Tickets to the Sarasota Open are available at
www.SarasotaOpen.org and range from $5 for Qualifying Round general admission tickets to $100 Finals
Round Box Seats. Individual box seats are available for all nine days at $375 per person. Finals will be held
on April 20, 2014.
About The Resort at Longboat Key Club
The Resort at Longboat Key Club is Sarasota’s premier AAA Four-Diamond beachfront resort and private
club renowned for its distinctive guest service and unparalleled amenities. Easily accessible from two
international airports, the resort’s on-site amenities include championship golf, the award winning Tennis
Gardens, The Fitness Center, The Spa, eight distinctive restaurants and lounges, a 291 slip deep-water
marina and a pristine white-sand beach. Located at 220 Sands Pointe Road, Longboat Key, Florida,
reservations can be made by calling (800) 237-8821 or online at www.LongboatKeyClub.com.
About the USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from
$10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for
aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Celebrating its 35 th
anniversary in 2013, the USTA Pro Circuit provides players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking
points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly
$3 million in prize money. Last year more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries
competed in cities nationwide. Mardy Fish, Maria Sharapova, John Isner, Caroline Wozniacki, Sam Querrey,
Victoria Azarenka and Andy Murray are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro
Circuit.
Media contact:
Sandra Rios
USTA Tournament Press Aide
Mobile: 941.387.9151
Sandra.rios@longboatkeyclub.com
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