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The first Memphis Classic came to a close Sunday with a striking victory from 16-year-old Russian player Kristina Liutova, who secured a remarkable moment in history as the youngest player to win a Women's Tennis Association title since Coco Gauff.
Beyond the spectacle of the court, the tournament at the Leftwich Tennis Center was a victory for Memphis as well, marking the first time a WTA tournament has been hosted in the Bluff City since 2013.
Gross revenue from ticket sales of the tourney is expected to surpass $600,000 after drawing spectators from 34 states with at least 1,000 hotel rooms booked, according to Memphis Classic organizer Sam Duvall.
Tennis tourney: Kristina Liutova, 16, wins her first WTA title at Memphis Classic
Data on viewership and attendance is still being determined, Duvall said.
Even so, the Memphis Classic was a success according to Duvall, who previously ran the tournament when it was hosted in Cleveland.
“I was really pleased with the ticket sales, especially as it got later in the week,” he said. “Our end ticket number in Memphis would have been top two of what we did in Cleveland … gross revenue we were over $600,000.”
The Leftwich Center, located at 4145 Southern Ave., hosted its first pro event after being completed in November of 2023. The stadium built to host official WTA events has a 2,000-seat capacity.
Organizers hope this year's Classic set a launching point to grow tennis in Memphis, bringing yearly economic value to the city. With the tournament's shift to Memphis only confirmed in March, the timeline was tight to spread the word, gain sponsors and promote ticket sales, Duvall said.
Fans came from far and wide to see the Memphis Classic, with tickets purchased from 34 different states.
Viewership is expected to be significant as well, with the broadcast reaching over 120 countries, and multiple matches airing in over 50 U.S. markets, something that hasn’t been done with the tournament before.
Ideas are already in motion to generate hype for the next tournament, such as hosting more community-based events or an exhibition night ahead of the official start, according to Duvall.
Kevin Kane, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO, said he was pleased with the feedback he’s heard, and sees the tournament as a great starting point.
“There's not that many professional tennis tournaments of that level anywhere in this part of the country,” Kane said. “So, we will build upon it, and we hope that just like with the St. Jude Golf Tournament, as time goes on, people that live around the Mid-South will come here, check in a hotel, spend the night, go for a couple of days because they love pro golf, they love pro tennis. That’s what these events can do for you. Longevity breeds familiarity.”
Duvall estimated a similar direct economic impact from the tournament for Memphis to that of Cleveland, which usually reached about $2 million. Utilizing local vendors was prioritized, such as Paradox Catering, Mempops, Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals and more.
Approximately 1,000 hotel rooms were also rented during the tournament, according to Kane.
Kane is also chairman of the board of Tennis Memphis, a nonprofit that operates the city’s seven main tennis centers, and provides a plethora of tennis-oriented youth programs and lessons, including tutoring and classrooms for teaching essential life skills.
He said tennis has "never been stronger" in the city than right now, boosted massively by countless donations, which have made Leftwich Tennis Center a reality and in turn made hosting the official tournament possible.
“Why did so many people from Memphis step up [and donate]? Because they believe in the mission of Tennis Memphis," he said. "To take care of a lot of disadvantaged kids, showing them that tennis is a good vehicle, a good pathway to put their energy in as you’re going through school.”
The tournament is growing tennis at a collegiate level too, as multiple University of Memphis women entered the tournament as wildcards.
Duvall said the WTA partnership with Tennis Memphis will only continue to grow stronger over the next two years and beyond.
“I think year one was really about awareness of what they do, trying to meet a lot of the people in the community … and next year pivoting to see how we can drive some real dollars to what they’re doing,” Duvall said. “It’s all about getting kids access to tennis and lessons, learning the game and falling in love with the game on a real community level.”
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering Dining, Retail and Real Estate in the Memphis area. You can reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Classic expected to be economic success, rev tennis culture in Memphis
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Beyond the spectacle of the court, the tournament at the Leftwich Tennis Center was a victory for Memphis as well, marking the first time a WTA tournament has been hosted in the Bluff City since 2013.
Gross revenue from ticket sales of the tourney is expected to surpass $600,000 after drawing spectators from 34 states with at least 1,000 hotel rooms booked, according to Memphis Classic organizer Sam Duvall.
Tennis tourney: Kristina Liutova, 16, wins her first WTA title at Memphis Classic
You must be registered for see images attach
Data on viewership and attendance is still being determined, Duvall said.
Even so, the Memphis Classic was a success according to Duvall, who previously ran the tournament when it was hosted in Cleveland.
“I was really pleased with the ticket sales, especially as it got later in the week,” he said. “Our end ticket number in Memphis would have been top two of what we did in Cleveland … gross revenue we were over $600,000.”
The Leftwich Center, located at 4145 Southern Ave., hosted its first pro event after being completed in November of 2023. The stadium built to host official WTA events has a 2,000-seat capacity.
Organizers hope this year's Classic set a launching point to grow tennis in Memphis, bringing yearly economic value to the city. With the tournament's shift to Memphis only confirmed in March, the timeline was tight to spread the word, gain sponsors and promote ticket sales, Duvall said.
Fans came from far and wide to see the Memphis Classic, with tickets purchased from 34 different states.
You must be registered for see images attach
Viewership is expected to be significant as well, with the broadcast reaching over 120 countries, and multiple matches airing in over 50 U.S. markets, something that hasn’t been done with the tournament before.
Tournament could return to Memphis
Ideas are already in motion to generate hype for the next tournament, such as hosting more community-based events or an exhibition night ahead of the official start, according to Duvall.
You must be registered for see images attach
Kevin Kane, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO, said he was pleased with the feedback he’s heard, and sees the tournament as a great starting point.
“There's not that many professional tennis tournaments of that level anywhere in this part of the country,” Kane said. “So, we will build upon it, and we hope that just like with the St. Jude Golf Tournament, as time goes on, people that live around the Mid-South will come here, check in a hotel, spend the night, go for a couple of days because they love pro golf, they love pro tennis. That’s what these events can do for you. Longevity breeds familiarity.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Duvall estimated a similar direct economic impact from the tournament for Memphis to that of Cleveland, which usually reached about $2 million. Utilizing local vendors was prioritized, such as Paradox Catering, Mempops, Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals and more.
Approximately 1,000 hotel rooms were also rented during the tournament, according to Kane.
Tennis 'never been stronger' in Memphis
Kane is also chairman of the board of Tennis Memphis, a nonprofit that operates the city’s seven main tennis centers, and provides a plethora of tennis-oriented youth programs and lessons, including tutoring and classrooms for teaching essential life skills.
He said tennis has "never been stronger" in the city than right now, boosted massively by countless donations, which have made Leftwich Tennis Center a reality and in turn made hosting the official tournament possible.
“Why did so many people from Memphis step up [and donate]? Because they believe in the mission of Tennis Memphis," he said. "To take care of a lot of disadvantaged kids, showing them that tennis is a good vehicle, a good pathway to put their energy in as you’re going through school.”
You must be registered for see images attach
The tournament is growing tennis at a collegiate level too, as multiple University of Memphis women entered the tournament as wildcards.
Duvall said the WTA partnership with Tennis Memphis will only continue to grow stronger over the next two years and beyond.
“I think year one was really about awareness of what they do, trying to meet a lot of the people in the community … and next year pivoting to see how we can drive some real dollars to what they’re doing,” Duvall said. “It’s all about getting kids access to tennis and lessons, learning the game and falling in love with the game on a real community level.”
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering Dining, Retail and Real Estate in the Memphis area. You can reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Classic expected to be economic success, rev tennis culture in Memphis
Continue reading...
