Party with Tennis Greats at the International Tennis Hall of Fame This Weekend
The famous grass courts welcome back the Infosys Hall of Fame Open followed by the induction of two of the sport's stars into the Hall of Fame.
Last year’s Infosys Hall of Fame Open. (Photo by Ben Solomon/International Tennis Hall of Fame)
Newport has no shortage of claims when it comes to the national sports scene: oldest polo club, regular Ocean Race stopover and original location of the forerunner to the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
The city’s tennis legacy continues this week with the return of the Infosys Hall of Fame Open to Bellevue Avenue July 16–23. In addition, the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s official Enshrinement Weekend will mark the induction of two tennis greats to join the ranks of the Hall of Fame later this week.
This year’s Hall of Fame Open, which kicked off on Sunday, features appearances by World No. 14 Tommy Paul as well as defending champion Maxime Cressy, French standout Ugo Humbert and four-time champion John Isner. Daily tickets are still available for this week’s early rounds as well as the semifinals and finals this weekend. Spectators can join in the tradition of watching competitive tennis on the famous grass courts where it’s been played almost continuously since 1881.
The festivities continue this weekend with the induction of eight-time Paralympic medalist Esther Vergeer and Quad wheelchair tennis pioneer Rick Draney to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The event will mark the first time two wheelchair tennis candidates have been inducted into the Hall of Fame simultaneously. Vergeer, from the Netherlands, and Draney, an American, will join an elite group of 262 inductees representing twenty-seven nations in the Hall of Fame.
“I’m honored to welcome Esther Vergeer and Rick Draney to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Esther and Rick have made indelible marks on the sport of wheelchair tennis, and their impact transcends their tremendous achievements on court. Both are immensely deserving as members of the Class of 2023,” says Kim Clijsters, ITHF honorary president and Class of 2017 Hall of Famer.
Vergeer is one of the most decorated athletes in Dutch history, having won twenty-one singles Grand Slams, thirteen International Tennis Federation world championships and four Paralympic gold medals in singles. She currently serves as tournament director of the ABN AMRO Open’s wheelchair tennis tournament and has launched the Esther Vergeer foundation, which introduces children with disabilities in the Netherlands to sports.
Draney was instrumental in the growth of the Quad division of wheelchair tennis. Since the start of his career in 1984, he has won twelve singles and six doubles titles at the Super Series level, including five British Open titles and seven U.S. Open titles. He previously served as tournament committee chairperson for the U.S. Open USTA Wheelchair Tennis Championships.
In addition to the induction ceremony on Saturday evening, the inductees will be honored during an enshrinement reception on the legendary Horseshoe Piazza Saturday night. Participants can enjoy dinner, drinks, live music and dancing on the lawn that has hosted generations of tennis greats (and recently made its Hollywood debut in HBO’s “The Gilded Age”). The piazza will also play host to Saturday morning’s Brunch with Legends, when the Hall of Fame inductees will be presented with their official Brooks Brothers blazers.
Fashionistas can head down the street to Ochre Court, where the one-time mansion (now part of Salve Regina University) is hosting a look at tennis’ most iconic fashions over the years from the Hall of Fame’s collection. The Friday night event will include themed hors d’oeuvres, dinner stations and cocktails with the Class of 2023 inductees.
“I am very honored that I will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and become part of history in the beautiful sport of tennis. Tennis has been a very big and very important part of my life. It helped me grow into the person I am today, and I learned many lessons because I was able to play sports,” Vergeer says.
“I am overwhelmed by the honor of being inducted, and I don’t know that I will ever be able to fully comprehend the significance. I am very thankful and grateful for the love, support and guidance of so many that influenced me and contributed to the countless opportunities and experiences I had,” Draney says.
For a full list of Enshrinement Weekend events or to livestream the induction ceremonies, visit tennisfame.com. To purchase tickets to the Infosys Hall of Fame Open, visit infosyshalloffameopen.com.
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