Bank of the West Classic returns to Palo Alto
August 3, 2015
SAN FRANCISCO — The Bank of the West Classic will return to Palo Alto beginning today, August 3. The world’s longest-running professional women’s tennis tournament is the first stop of the U.S. Open series. Bank of the West has been the title sponsor of the classic since 1971, and the tournament will again be played at Stanford’s Taube Family Center, located at 625 Campus Drive.
The tournament will be broadcast on ESPN3 from August 3-7; the singles’ and doubles’ semifinals and finals will be broadcast on ESPN2 August 8-9.
The Classic has enjoyed a loyal following throughout its history, as it has brought world-class tennis to the Bay Area. The list of past champions includes several of the finest athletes in women’s tennis, including Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Andrea Jaeger, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and others.
“We are proud to be the title sponsor for the 24th consecutive year and to support the Palo Alto community,” said Andy Harmening, vice chairman of consumer banking, Bank of the West. “Our parent company BNP Paribas is a leading partner of tennis at every level from family to professional events. Bank of the West extends this partnership through our support of the Classic.”
This year’s player field includes world no. 5 Caroline Wozniacki in her first appearance at the Bank of the West Classic. Wozniacki has earned 23 career WTA singles titles and held the world no. 1 seed for several weeks in 2010-2011.
World Class Players
Seven of the world’s top-20 players have entered to play in the Classic, in addition to Caroline Wozniacki:
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) – World No. 7; 2013 Bank of the West Classic runner-up, 2011 Wimbledon finalist and 2015 Wimbledon semifinalist
Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) – World No. 10; 2014 Bank of the West Classic doubles champion and Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open quarterfinalist
Karolina Pliskova (CZE) – World No. 12, four career WTA singles titles
Angelique Kerber (GER) – World No. 13; 2014 Bank of the West finalist, 3 WTA titles this year
Andrea Petkovic (GER) – World No. 16, six career WTA singles titles
Madison Keys (USA) – World No. 18; 2015 Australian Open semifinalist and 2015 Wimbledon quarterfinalist
Elina Svitolina (UKR) – World No. 20; three career WTA singles titles
Additionally, local favorite CiCi Bellis will be appearing at the Classic. The San Francisco native turned pro in 2014 and has since climbed to 152 in the world rankings at only 16 years old.
For tournament updates, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive interviews with the players, you can follow Bank of the West’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channels.
Tickets for this year’s event can be purchased online at BankofTheWestClassic.com, by phone at 866-WTA-TIXS (866-982-8497), or at the Box Office located near the stadium during the week of the tournament.