The 22nd Annual USTA/Ursula Beck Pro Tennis Classic has been postponed until 2021. “Due to the ongoing situation surrounding COVID-19, the United States Tennis Association has cancelled all five ITF World Tennis Tour events taking place in the U.S. in August. This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of all those involved with these events” the USTA announced Monday, July 6th. Tournaments in Lexington, KY, Landisville, PA, Concord, MA, Memphis, TN as well as Decatur, IL were all affected by the decision.
“This was a disappointing day for our tennis community and the City of Decatur. Unfortunately, ever since the announcement on opening professional men’s tennis with our $25,000 men’s event a couple weeks ago, things seem to have just gone the other way for the tennis world. Several high-profile professional tennis players have contracted COVID-19 and the country as a whole has had more outbreaks. On the bright side, our committee was encouraged by the strong sponsorship pledged this year which nearly matched what we experienced in 2019” said Chuck Kuhle, tournament director. “To have that kind of support in a year like this was unbelievable. We look forward to returning to the Fairview Tennis Center in 2021.”
ABOUT THE USTA/URSULA BECK PRO TENNIS CLASSIC
The USTA/Ursula Beck Men’s Pro Tennis Classic began in 1999 and has developed into one of the premier tournaments on the United States Tennis Association Professional Circuit. Each year, 70 players from over 20 countries participate in the seven-day event, battling it out for ATP professional ranking points. Top players from the Decatur Futures have gone on to compete at all four Grand Slam tournaments against the likes of world no. 1’s Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
ABOUT THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT
With more than 100 tournaments throughout the country and prize money ranging from $15,000 to upwards of $160,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world and the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players. Now in its 41st year, the USTA Pro Circuit has been a launching pad for many of today’s top pros, including John Isner, Sloane Stephens, Kei Nishikori, Victoria Azarenka, Taylor Fritz and Kevin Anderson. Follow the USTA Pro Circuit at #USTAProCircuit on social media and at www.procircuit.usta.com.
For more information, contact:
Chuck Kuhle, Tournament Director
Work (217) 423-7020 Cell (217) 433-8864
ckuhle@dacfit.org