May 7, 2008

Professional Women’s Tennis Tournament Comes to the Triangle

From the Greater Raleigh Sports Council

This month, RBC Bank will present the only professional women's tennis tournament in North Carolina. The RBC Bank Women's Challenger, a USTA Women's Pro Circuit Event, begins with qualifying rounds on Sunday, May 11. The tournament runs through Sunday, May 18. More than 100 professional tennis players from around the world, ages 14 and up, are expected to participate in the tournament.

The USTA Women's Pro Circuit consists of four different tournaments based on the prize money. The RBC Bank Women's Challenger falls into the $25,000 tournament. At that level, a player can best determine whether her game is good enough to pursue a career as a touring pro. Players scheduled to appear include Renata Vorakova (CZK), currently ranked number 122 in the world, and Alexandra Stevenson (USA), a former Wimbledon semi-finalist.

A free adult Doubles Strategy Clinic will be held on Tuesday, May 13. Main draw feature matches begin on Wednesday, May 14. Bring the kids out on Saturday, May 17, and enjoy the Kid's Carnival from 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Matches are free during the day Sunday through Friday. Night matches are $5 per person; children under 10 are free. All ticket sales go to the Boys and Girls Club of Raleigh. Tickets are available by calling the North Hills Pro Shop at 919.781.0468. For a complete daily schedule, visit www.northhillsclub.com.