The Mercer Tennis Classic is gearing up for another U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Pro Circuit tournament and this year, organizers are expecting more of the world’s best with an upgrade in the cash prize. The USTA announced sponsoring $100,000 in prize money.
“This doesn’t happen to a lot of tournaments,” said Eric Hayes, Mercer Tennis Classic Director. “We’re going to get top 50 players in the world.”
This is the tournament’s 11th year in Macon-Bibb County. Since then, we have hosted some of the best players in the world, some of which played in Wimbledon earlier this month, and some like Danielle Collins (2016), Jessica Pegula (2018), and Emma Navarro (2020-22), who are completing in the 2024 Olympics.
“We’re so excited to be able to host this event once again at our SPLOST-funded John Drew Smith Tennis Center,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “This a great opportunity to show these players what Macon-Bibb County is all about. Thank you to the Recreation Department, Macon Area Tennis Association, and all of our partners who make this tournament happen.”
The Mercer Tennis Classic has featured players with major titles, including 2014 Macon singles champ, Kateryna Bondarenko, of Ukraine, and her sister, Alona, who she teamed with to win the 2008 Australian Open Doubles title, and 2010 French Open singles champion Francesca Schiavone, of Italy, who was the tournament’s top seed in 2018.
“The Mercer Tennis Classic is important in our city, it elevates Macon as a brand,” said Tennis & Pickleball Tournament Director Bobby Walker. “It allows adults and young people to see world-class tennis within 15 minutes of their home and there aren’t many chances in sports to be able to do that.”
The tournament starts the week of October 14 at the John Drew Smith Tennis Center (). For ticket sales and more information visit www.ustamaconclassic.com.
About the John Drew Smith Tennis Center
The John Drew Smith Tennis Center (JDSTC) is regarded as one of the top 25 public municipal facilities in the nation by Tennis Magazine and the United States Tennis Association. It has 22 tennis courts, 6 pickleball courts, a beautiful observation deck and pro shop. The facility is a haven for programming for juniors, adults, and everyone in the community. Historic John Drew Smith Tennis Center is renowned for hosting local, state, and national tennis events. Tennis players not only from the state of Georgia but all over the country, are familiar with JDS. Almost every competitive junior player from the state of Georgia in the last 40 years has played at this renowned facility. The activity is so extensive, and the atmosphere is so conducive to tennis that, in 2005, Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) named John Drew Smith Tennis Center the Municipal Facility of the Year.
About the USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $15,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit in 1979 to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Victoria Azarenka, Eugenie Bouchard, John Isner, Madison Keys, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori, Sam Querrey and Caroline Wozniacki are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.