The UTR Open Series is your home for prize money and wildcard events. With over 100 events through the end of the year, and more added daily, the opportunities to find competitive play and take home a significant reward are endless. UTR had the privilege of speaking with Tennessee Valley Open Championship Tournament Director, Ned Caswell, on this co-ed clay tournament that's been the talk of Chattanooga, TN for over half a century.
What is the history of your event? Why was it started?
The Tennessee Valley Open Championship began over 50 years ago to highlight the competitive tennis landscape in the Southeast. The tournament has long been a premier tennis event boasting high-quality players, high-quality competition, and high-quality tennis atmosphere. Many great names have made their way through the TVOC over the years attempting to place their name among the long heritage of the TVOC.
Who is the event for? What is the format?
The high-level clay tournament offers a wide variety of events, but the marquee matches are often found in the Open level events which include Men's and Women's Singles, as well as Men's, Women's, and Mixed Doubles.
What are some of the things that make your event unique? Are there any special events or things for players/spectators to participate in?
The TVOC is proud of the long-standing heritage that makes our tournament unique, not to mention our great tennis club that is nestled alongside the Tennessee River here in Chattanooga, TN. The event attracts great local crowds, showcases a couple of local restaurants, and promises to be entertaining for entrants and spectators alike.
Who are some of the past players/winners from your event?
Past winners include Brian Baker, Hunter O'Keefe, Hayley Carter, and many more.
Tell us about the town and the club where the event is held.
Chattanooga, Tennessee is a town steeped in history that is making a name for itself as an up-and-coming tech business incubator. The city perched alongside the Tennessee River, which also happen to be the location of Manker Patten Tennis Club. The club is set right beside the Tennessee River providing great tennis atmosphere with some of the most competitive and scenic matches around.
Why did you decide to run your event with UTR?
It has become evident over the past few years that UTR has been well-received and widely adopted at many levels in the tennis hierarchy. We decided to work with UTR this year to provide a tennis tournament that would reach the best pool of players and provide the most competitive tournament structure. We are constantly trying to find ways to improve our tournament and UTR is constantly trying to find ways to improve their interface with the tennis community.
Feeling inspired? Visit the Tennessee Valley Open Championship event page on UTR to register by June 2nd.
To search all UTR Open Series Events, please visit MyUTR.com/OpenSeries.