Sarasota Open Tennis - ATP World Tour

Dasha Sharapova commits to Sarasota Open

tony — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:55:40 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sandra Rios

Longboat Key Club & Resort

sandra.rios@longboatkeyclub.com

941.387.9151

SARASOTA OPEN 2012 –

Dasha Sharapova Confirmed to Play at

Sarasota Open Ladies Invitational Tournament

Up and Coming Tennis Player is the “New” Sharapova in Town

[Longboat Key, FL – March 21, 2012] The Sarasota Open is excited to announce the addition of its second player in the 2012 Ladies Invitational Tournament, Dasha Sharapova. The sixteen year old IMG Bollettieri Academy student began playing at the age of five and moved to America from Russia when she was nine years old. Not withstanding the cultural changes of such a move, Dasha found the most significant change was the increased amount of tennis she plays. Off the courts Dasha enjoys reading Russian novels and dabbles in photography, a hobby that was inspired by her father.

Of course, there is always the famous tennis playing cousin, Maria Sharapova that comes to mind when Dasha is on the court. That does not deter her own determination to become a great player in her own right. In fact, Dasha sees her older cousin as a role model and tries to mirror her attitude and character off-court.

The Sarasota Open Ladies Invitational Tournament will be a great opportunity for Dasha to experience the competitive play that will hone her skills for future competitions. With a field of 16 players, the event promises to be a crowd-pleaser.

New to this year’s tournament line-up, the Ladies Invitational Tournament highlights the rising importance and stature of Ladies Professional Tennis. Attendees have the rare opportunity to enjoy both the Men’s and Ladies events during the same tournament, in the stellar setting of the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort.

Sarasota Open 2012 - Schedule of Events

Opening Night Gala March 9, 2012

Ed Smith Stadium

Sarasota Open Wild Card Tournament April 6 – 8, 2012

Bath & Racquet Club, Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Open Players Party April 16, 2012

The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort

Sarasota Open, 2012 April 14 – 22, 2012

Men’s Professional USTA/ATP 100K Tournament
Ladies Professional 10K Tournament

The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort

3100 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228

(advance tickets for all events can be purchased at www.sarasotaopen.org)

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 5^th year, the tournament has evolved into the most prestigious clay court event prior to the French Open. Previous winners include James Blake in 2011 and Kei Nishikori in 2010. The week long events include qualifying rounds for both the men’s and ladies’ tournaments, Finals Rounds and the Final Championship tournament on Center Court accompanied by Sponsored Hospitality offerings. 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. Finals will be held on April 22, 2012.

About Longboat Key Club & Resort

Longboat Key Club & Resort 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 resorts on-site amenities include: championship golf; 25 Har-Tru tennis courts; a state-of-the-art Fitness Centre; Island House Spa offering over 50 services; six unique restaurants; a 291 slip deep-water marina; and a private white sand beach. Located at 220 Sands Pointe Road, Longboat Key, Florida, reservations can be made by calling (941) 383-8821, (800) 237-8821 or by contacting us online at www.LongboatKeyClub.com. Special Sarasota Open Packages are available.

About the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club

Home of the Sarasota Open, the 4.5 million dollar facility is the recipient of the 2009 USTA Outstanding Facility Award and is a 2011 “Top Ten Gold Medal Tennis Resort, Worldwide” by Tennis Resorts Online. Featuring 20 Har-Tru clay courts, professional instruction, a tennis concierge, clubhouse pro-shop, locker rooms, meeting room and equipped for nighttime play, the facility also offers excellent, casual dining at Court 21 Café and Lounge overlooking the tournament court action. Director of Tennis is John Woods. For more information please call (941) 383-8821.

Alex Bogomolov to play the 2012 Sarasota Open

tony — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:53:58 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sandra Rios

Longboat Key Club & Resort

sandra.rios@longboatkeyclub.com

941.387.9151

SARASOTA OPEN 2012 –

Alex “Bogie” Bogomolov Jr. Returns to Sarasota Open

Currently Ranked at #39, Bogomolov Sets Sights on the Big Win

[Longboat Key, FL – March 23, 2012] The roster continues to grow as yet another name is added to the expanding list of players confirmed for the 2012 Sarasota Open.

Returning to the courts at the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort this year is Alex Bogomolov, Jr., who is no stranger to the Sarasota Open having played his way to the final event last year – only to be ousted by James Blake after a determined and dynamic match.

Nicknamed “Bogie”, the Russian born, Florida resident won the USTA National Championships in 1998 and finished #1 ranked USTA under 18 in 2000. Turning pro in 2002, he most recently was named the “Most Improved Player of the Year” at the ATP World Tour Awards, after rising from a #166 ranking at the end of 2010 to #33 in November of 2011. He is currently ranked at #39.

The Sarasota Open 2012, now in its fifth year, is the most prestigious clay court event prior to the French Open and the preeminent tennis tournament in South West Florida. With a prize purse of 100K for the Men’s Invitational Tournament, it is a draw for some of the top players in the field today. Hosted at the award winning Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort, players and attendees alike experience the exceptional facilities and amenities that garnered Tennis Magazine’s #1 Tennis Resort, Gulf Coast of Florida spot, making it a Top Ten Tennis Resort nationwide. Additionally the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort was named the USTA’s 2009 “Outstanding Facility of the Year” and a “Top Ten Gold Medal Tennis Resort Worldwide” in 2011 by Tennis Resorts Online.

Mark your calendars for the Sarasota Open Wild Card Tournament which will be held on April 6 – 8, 2012 – where one lucky player will claim a Wild Card entry into the tournament.

Sarasota Open 2012 - Schedule of Events

Sarasota Open Wild Card Tournament April 6 – 8, 2012

Bath & Racquet Club, Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Open Players Party April 16, 2012

The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort

Sarasota Open, 2012 April 14 – 22, 2012

Men’s Professional USTA/ATP 100K Tournament
Ladies Professional 10K Tournament

The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort

3100 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228

(advance tickets for all events can be purchased at www.sarasotaopen.org)

About the Sarasota Open

About Longboat Key Club & Resort

About the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort

Home of the Sarasota Open, the 4.5 million dollar facility was named the 2012 #1 Tennis Resort on the Gulf Coast of Florida by Tennis Magazine, making it a Top Ten Tennis Resort nationwide. It also is the recipient of the 2009 USTA Outstanding Facility Award and is a 2011 “Top Ten Gold Medal Tennis Resort, Worldwide” by Tennis Resorts Online. Featuring 20 Har-Tru clay courts, professional instruction, a tennis concierge, clubhouse pro-shop, locker rooms, meeting room and equipped for nighttime play, the facility also offers excellent, casual dining at Court 21 Café and Lounge overlooking the tournament court action. Director of Tennis is John Woods. For more information please call (941) 383-8821.

James Blake to defend Sarasota Open Title

tony — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:51:35 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sandra Rios

Longboat Key Club & Resort

sandra.rios@longboatkeyclub.com

941.387.9151

SARASOTA OPEN 2012 –

James Blake Returns to Sarasota Open –

Joins Roster of Top 100 Ranked Players Confirmed for Tournament Action;

Go Soeda (#67), Paolo Lorenzi, (#81) Ryan Sweeting (#86) and

Tatsuma Ito (#94)

Ranked #69 in the World, Blake Returns with Hopes of Capturing Top Spot in 2012

[Longboat Key, FL – March 30, 2012] Reigning champion James Blake returns to the Sarasota Open this year to take on some of the world’s top ranked players – Go Soeda, Paolo Lorenzi, Ryan Sweeting and Tatsuma Ito as the Men’s Invitational Tournament confirms the Main Draw line-up for the event.

Blake, currently ranked #69 in the world is the second-oldest American in the Top 100. He took home top honors at the 2011Sarasota Open, beating out Alex Bogomolov, Jr. during an electrifying finals match. A king of hard court play, off-court Blake has also earned a top spot on the New York Times Best Seller list (#15) for his comeback story chronicled in his book “Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won My Life Back”. After loosing his father to cancer in 2004, Blake founded the Thomas Blake, Sr., Memorial Research Fund in honor of his father, Thomas. He has raised more than $3 million dollars for cancer research. He also is the 2008 recipient of the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award.

Go Soeda, currently ranked at #67, broke into the Top 100 for the first time in 2011. He started playing at the age of four and turned professional in April of 2003. The Japanese baseliner posted his best ATP results in January 2012, reaching the Chennai semi-finals.

Italian born Paolo Lorenzi, currently ranked at #81, began playing tennis at the age of seven, attends University in Siena and enjoys reading Stephen King novels. He finished in the Top 100 for the first time in 2009 and prefers to play on hard courts outdoors.

Ryan Sweeting, ranked at #86, returns to the courts of the Sarasota Open after an impressive showing in the 2011 tournament. The double-handed backhander started playing tennis at the age of six, became a US citizen in 2006 and has studied at the University of Florida. In 2011 he had a breakout season, capturing his first ATP World Title.

Tatsuma Ito, currently ranked at #94, is a crowd favorite in Japan displaying brilliant skills and agility. He recently over-powered Aussie rising star James Lemke at the All Japan Indoor Tennis Championships in Kyoto, Japan.

Sarasota Open 2012 - Schedule of Events

Sarasota Open Wild Card Tournament April 6 – 8, 2012

Bath & Racquet Club, Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Open Players Party April 16, 2012

The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort

Sarasota Open, 2012 April 14 – 22, 2012

Men’s Professional USTA/ATP 100K Tournament
Ladies Professional 10K Tournament

The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort

3100 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228

(advance tickets for all events can be purchased at www.sarasotaopen.org)

About the Sarasota Open

About Longboat Key Club & Resort

About the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort

Home of the Sarasota Open, the 4.5 million dollar facility was named the 2012 #1 Tennis Resort on the Gulf Coast of Florida by Tennis Magazine, making it a Top Ten Tennis Resort nationwide. It also is the recipient of the 2009 USTA Outstanding Facility Award and is a 2011 “Top Ten Gold Medal Tennis Resort, Worldwide” by Tennis Resorts Online. Featuring 20 Har-Tru clay courts, professional instruction, a tennis concierge, clubhouse pro-shop, locker rooms, meeting room and equipped for nighttime play, the facility also offers excellent, casual dining at Court 21 Café and Lounge overlooking the tournament court action. Director of Tennis is John Woods. For more information please call (941) 383-8821.

TENNIS GARDENS WELCOMES LADIES INVITATIONAL

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:16:44 +0000

Addition of the Ladies Tournament Presents Rare Opportunity to Enjoy Top Caliber Men’s and Women’s Tournament Play at the Same Event

The Sarasota Open is not just for the men anymore! The highly popular, clay-pounding event that takes place each April at the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club, is pleased to announce the addition of a 16 player Ladies Tournament during the Sarasota Open this April. With an initial prize purse of 10K and Wildcard entries, this highly anticipated tournament will draw the top female talent from the tennis world for the opportunity of a win at this prestigious, invitation only event.

“We are excited to be announcing the addition of a Ladies Tournament during the 2012 Sarasota Open,” said Tony Driscoll, Tournament Co-Director. “With the addition of this invitational tournament, we bring the tennis audience a rare opportunity to see some of the top ranked male and female talent in the game today playing at one event.”

“The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club is once again the host facility of what will be yet another iconic and outstanding tennis event this coming April,” said Michael Welly, General Manager of Longboat Key Club & Resort. “The combination of the Ladies Tournament with the already highly touted Men’s Tournament, guarantees the crowds will be gathering early in anticipation of a week of highly professional and challenging play – with some of the most popular and upcoming tennis stars on the circuit today. This is a wonderful way to mark the success of the Tournament and to celebrate its 5^th anniversary.”

Now in its fifth year, the Sarasota Open has launched some of the top tennis talent in the world, into the spotlight. Attracting national and international attendees to the week-long series of events, the tournament continues to generate excitement among tennis fans as well as creating significant economic opportunities for the region.

The facts:

What: Sarasota Open 2012–
Men’s Professional USTA/ATP 100K Tournament
Ladies Professional 10K Tournament

Where: The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club
3100 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228
(Longboat Key Club & Resort offers special Sarasota Open Packages – book online at www.longboatkeyclub.com)

When: April 14 – 22, 2012
(Advance tickets can be purchased at www.SarasotaOpen.org)

About the Sarasota Open

About Longboat Key Club & Resort

About the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club

SANDRA RIOS
DIRECTOR of COMMUNICATIONS
LONGBOAT KEY CLUB & RESORT
T: 941.387.9151
F: 941.387.9559
www.longboatkeyclub.com

2010 Sarasota Open Champion Kei Nishikori defeats world #1

tony — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:31:27 +0000

Kei Nishikori notched the biggest win of his career Saturday, knocking off top-ranked Novak Djokovic 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-0 in the Swiss Indoors Basel semi-finals. The win put Nishikori into the record books as the first Japanese player to defeat a World No. 1. “It feels great,” Nishikori said afterwards. “I was missing too much in the first set, but at the end of the second set, I started playing well.”

Nishikori who captured the Sarasota Open title in 2010 is looking to capture his next major title on the ATP Tour. He finished runner-up to Ryan Sweeting in Houston in April and recently reached his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final in Shanghai (l. to Murray). He’ll play four-time champion Roger Federer in Sunday’s title match. “I’ve always wanted to play Roger,” revealed Nishikori. “Before the tournament, I was wishing to play him but I was on the other side of the draw and knew I would need to make the final to have a chance to play him. It will be a good challenge for me to play against him.”

1st Annual Sarasota Open Adult Championship

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:43:44 +0000

1st Annual Sarasota Open Adult Championships
News Flash: 11/28 7:30 PM

The Sarasota Open Adult Tournament has been rescheduled to a date in the near future. We had over 120 entries for the tournament but due
to conflicts with other area events and our charitable component we have decided to reschedule the tournament for a later date to be named to make it convenient for area players to compete in all events that are taking place next week. Most likely this date will be close to the Sarasota Open ATP/USTA event. If you wish to have a refund please send us an email. If you wish us to hold your entry for a future date then we will do so and keep you posted on a new date to be announced shortly.

Sarasota Open is proud to announce our first Adult Tournament! The championship is open to all divisions including Men’s Open Singles, Men’s Doubles (NTRP), Men’s Combo Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Women’s Combo Doubles and Mixed Combo Doubles. We will be holding the tournament at our Longboat Key Club facility on December 2nd – 5th so sign up now! Click here to signup or print out the PDF signup form and fax it.

TENNIS INFORMATION:
Location : The Tennis Gardens at the Longboat Key Club and Resort
Events: Singles ($50) Singles Tournament is for the “Open” division only.
Doubles ($50 per/team) Proceeds benefit the Sarasota Open and it’s charities.
Entry Deadline: Monday, November 28th, 2011

Draw:

Will be limited to round of 32
Check your e-mail or our website at www.sarasotaopen.org for starting times and results
Each person is responsible for ascertaining his/her match times, please e-mail director if none is sent or you are not listed on our website

Matches:

Will start Friday 5pm, Saturday 8am, Sunday 9am
USTA rules will be used and enforced
Monday the 5th will be used if necessary

Awards:

All entrants will receive a Tee-shirt
Event winners and finalists receive awards and a Gold Box Seat package to the Sarasota Open This includes VIP passes to our corporate tents

Director: Tony Driscoll 941-809-8996 or tony@sarasotaopen.org

Payment:
Mail Check and application to: TDA Global Sports or Sarasota Open
1680 Fruitville Rd Suite 203
Sarasota, Fl 34236
Please make checks payable to the Sarasota Open

Payment and registration can also be made online via credit card here http://www.sarasotaopen.org/adult-tournament-sign-up/

Sarasota Open Increasing Prize Money to $100,000

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:52:05 +0000

Tournament Director Tony Driscoll is proud to announce that the 2012 Sarasota Open Prize Money will increase to $100,000 for next year’s event. “The Sarasota Open continues to improve every year as we look to become the marquee sporting event on the west coast of Florida”, states Driscoll. “With the addition of prize money, international exposure and of course our longtime partner Longboat Key Club and Resort (which is one of the premiere resorts in the world) we offer our local residents one of the finest events in the world to attend and we entice our international patrons to explore Sarasota while attending the tournament. International patrons create a significant economic impact for the Sarasota/Bradenton region, concludes Driscoll.”