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Azalea Orthopedic Sports Medicine Sponsoring
UT Tyler Challenger
The University
of Texas at Tyler has announced Azalea Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
as the title sponsor of the 2nd Annual Challenger Professional Tennis
Tournament held at UT Tyler.
The Azalea Challenger, a $50,000 men’s professional tournament,
will be Oct. 27 through Nov. 3 at the UT Tyler Summers Tennis Center.
The center features five lighted courts that meet United States
Tennis Association specifications for professional tennis and featured
night matches.
The tournament will feature the world’s top professional players
who are currently competing in Grand Slam competition. These players
compete to improve their rankings and move to higher-level events.
“We will see many of the world’s brightest stars of
the same caliber as Andy Roddick and James Blake competing to improve
their professional ATP ranking,” said Ken Olivier, UT Tyler
head tennis coach and tournament coordinator.
“Several players from the 2001 Challenger did very well in
Grand Slam play this year. Notably, Paradorn Srichaphan beat Andre
Agassi at Wimbledon. Jeff Morrison was the last American defeated
in the Wimbledon draw, and James Blake and Vince Spadea both had
prime time matches on television,” he added.
Top 100 ranked players Todd Martin, Bob Bryan, Michael Russell,
Cecil Mammit and Taylor Dent also competed in the Challenger last
year.
The official list of players for the 2002 tournament will be released
Oct. 14.
The United
States Tennis Association Challenger consists of 22 tournaments
in the U.S. and offers more than $1 million in prize money. The
Challenger Series is designed to help players advance to the ATP
tour and Grand Slam tournaments. The International Tennis Federation
and Association of Tennis Professionals sanction the Challenger
events.
Sponsorships
are still available, and those interested should contact Dr. Larry
Isbell, (903) 526-9355.
Volunteers
for the tournament should call Linda Resnik, (903) 565-6655.
Additional Azalea Challenger Professional Tennis Tournament
Major Sponsors
Corporate
Bernard Mediterranean Restaurant
Tyler Morning Telegraph
McAlister’s Deli
Go-Quest
KLTV Channel 7
Clear Channel Communications
Holiday Inn – Southeast Crossing
Platinum
Tyler Chamber of Commerce
Southside Bank
Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Riter Jr.
Coca-Cola
Enviro-Care
Pyramid Homes/Anwar Khalifa
Pro Image Printing
The Party Shoppe
Victory Sound Communications Inc.
Stewart-Jackson Pharmacal
Gold
Jacksonville Tennis Association
Larissa House/Kathleen Stanfill
Glow in the Dark Productions
Silver
Kendal Builders/Dale & Letitia Beggs
Mark Brookshire
Citizens 1st Bank
Scott & Shannon Line
Deborah Hulse
Rita Traft
Ken Dunn
Dr. Charles Heaton
Terry & Trey Graham
Bronze
Larry Weinbrenner
The Trane Company
Jill Shearer/Castle Works
Sprint Cellular
Stewart Blood Bank
Tyler Open MRI
Donations
Bob Faulkner
Target Stores
Duck Inn Bed & Breakfast
La Quinta Inns
Contact
person: Emily Battle,
(903) 565-5604
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