News

Longboat Key, FL — The USTA has selected Tim Smyczek, a Tampa resident currently ranked at #210 and Rhyne Williams, a Tennessee native currently ranked at #370, as their Wild Card selections for the upcoming Sarasota Open Men’s Invitational Tournament which gets underway on April 14, 2012.

Smyczek, who was raised in Wisconsin and currently resides in Tampa, turned pro in 2006 and off the court enjoys plays the violin and is considering a career as a lawyer when his tennis career starts winding down.

Tennessee native Rhyne Williams started playing tennis around the age of seven and turned pro in 2011. He has a strong tennis lineage — his grandfather, Mike DePalmer, Sr. coached Tennessee from 1981 — 1994, his mother, Michelle DePalmer Williams played professional tennis and his father, Bob Williams, was a collegiate tennis player at Duke. He is also the nephew of Mike DePalmer, Jr. an All-American tennis player for the Vols in 1981 and 1982.

Tournament action gets underway starting April 14th, with the beginning of the Men’s Invitational Tournament. The Ladies’ Invitational Tournament will be played April 17th and 18th with the finals for both being played on April 21st and 22nd.

Daily tournament times start at 11 am, and evening sessions get underway starting at 6:30 pm.

For daily updates and schedules please go to sarasotaopen.org for the most current stats and ticket information.

Sarasota Open 2012 — Schedule of Events

Sarasota Open Players Party: April 16, 2012

The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort, 6 pm to 9 pm

Sarasota Open, 2012: April 14 – 22, 2012

The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort, 3100 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228

(Tickets for all events can be purchased at 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 5th 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 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 LongboatKeyClub.com. Special Sarasota Open Packages are available.

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.