2010 Tail USTA $50,000 Savannah Challenger Attracts Thousands of Tennis Fans
(SAVANNAH, GA) The 2010 Tail USTA $50,000 Savannah Challenger was once again a major success, drawing thousands of tennis fans from the region, who were treated to a week of professional matches. The tournament, which took place May 1-9 at The Landings on Skidaway Island, featured 48 world-ranked tennis professionals vying to win highly coveted ATP ranking points in addition to prize money.
http://www.savannahchallenger.com
Kei Nishikori of Japan won the singles tournament, defeating Ryan Sweeting of the United States 6-4, 6-0, while the doubles team of Jamie Baker and James Ward of Great Britain bested the team of Bobby Reynolds (United States) and Fritz Wolmarans (South Africa) 6-3, 6-4.
Attendance at the 2010 Tail USTA $50,000 Savannah Challenger surpassed the previous year’s total of 3,200, and there were capacity crowds during several days of the week-long tournament.
Several other successful events were held in conjunction with the tournament, including a Kid’s Day Clinic sponsored by Palm Avenue that gave children a unique opportunity to interact with tennis professionals, a Ladies Day featuring special prizes for the women in attendance, a players party at the Village Bar and Grille on Skidaway Island, and a Pro-Am in which 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to the Savannah Community Foundation.
The event’s title sponsor was Tail Activewear, a leading brand in women’s golf and tennis apparel. Other sponsors included the Atlanta Bread Company, Burger King, the Georgia Ports Authority, Mandarin Express, Memorial University Medical Center, SATA, the Greater Savannah Sports Council, the Savannah Tennis League, Southern Eagle Distributors, Trinchero Family Estates, the Village Bar and Grille, Welch Tennis Courts, Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control, Southern Motors Acura and Vinyl Industries. Hoover Dodge Jeep Chrysler provided the vans for player transportation, and Dr. Spencer Wheeler of Chatham Orthopaedic Associates served as the tournament physician. Coca-Cola provided water and electrolytes for the players.
"Tail is proud to be associated with the USTA Savannah Challenger. The Landings staff and many volunteers worked tirelessly to make this a terrific success and we thank them," says Jerry Edwards, CEO of Tail Activewear, who encourages people to visit Tail’s Facebook page for many great photos from the tournament. "We greatly appreciate those in the community that turned out to support the tournament, especially the ladies in the Savannah Tennis League for their support of Tail Day. This has been a terrific event that will bring well deserved recognition to Savannah."
Other sponsors echoed Edwards’ enthusiasm, including Alex Salgueiro, president and CEO of Savannah Restaurants Corp., the local Burger King Franchise of the Coastal Empire.
"It was a great community event, and they had a great turnout," Salgueiro says. "We hope the tournament returns next year."
Benjamin Wilder, director of the Greater Savannah Sports Council, praised both the tournament’s facilities, as well as the level of competition.
"The Savannah Challenger was once again a great success in the eyes of the Sports Council," Wilder says. "The Franklin Creek Tennis Center was immaculate, which makes it the ideal place to watch tennis, and furthermore, I couldn’t say enough about the quality of players and their impressive skill level."
For a complete wrap-up of the 2010 Tail USTA $50,000 Savannah Challenger, including detailed information about the qualifying rounds and main draw competition, please visit www.savannahchallenger.com.