PHILADELPHIA, PA — Professional women’s tennis will return to Philadelphia for the first time in more than two decades when the Ennoble Care Philly Open begins Aug. 23 at the University of Pennsylvania, giving players a final U.S. tournament opportunity before the U.S. Open and adding another professional women’s sporting event to the city’s calendar.
The WTA 125 tournament will run through Aug. 29 at Penn’s Hamlin Tennis Center, with more than 40 players competing across 50 singles and doubles matches. Organizers are constructing a 1,200-seat outdoor center court specifically for the event.
Fourteen players ranked in the world’s top 100 are scheduled to compete, including Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, American Ashlyn Krueger and Germany’s Eva Lys.
Samsonova is a five-time WTA Tour champion and Wimbledon quarterfinalist. Bouzas Maneiro reached Wimbledon’s round of 16 last summer, while Krueger has reached a career-high No. 29 ranking and is the highest-ranked American in the draw. Lys has climbed as high as No. 39 after reaching the Australian Open round of 16 last year.
Tournament Director Alex Guthrie called the field “one of the best WTA 125 player fields this year,” citing its 14 top-100 entrants. He said the tournament was structured to give players an opportunity to make final preparations before traveling to the U.S. Open.
Opening day will include Kids’ Day from 9 to 10 a.m., featuring games, player autograph opportunities and craft stations. Fans will also be able to watch players practice before official competition begins at 10 a.m.
Philadelphia native Esha Velaga, the University of Pennsylvania’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, is scheduled to play the first match. Daytime and evening sessions throughout the week will generally feature two to three singles and doubles matches.
About 200 volunteers will support the tournament, including ball kids from Penn’s tennis camp and members of girls’ tennis teams from the School District of Philadelphia.
The tournament’s off-court programming includes a Vendor Village opening 45 minutes before each session and remaining open after play. Vendors will sell food, beverages, tournament merchandise, apparel and accessories.
Pride Night is scheduled for Aug. 27 following that day’s matches at Ballers Philadelphia, 1325 N. Beach St. The separately ticketed event begins at 8 p.m. and will include entertainment, local LGBTQIA+ organizations and access to the facility’s courts and recreational amenities. Tickets are $30.
The Aug. 29 closing session will feature the singles and doubles finals as well as the One-Point 5K Challenge Finals, a knockout competition in which each match is determined by a single rally. Members of the public can register online for an opportunity to compete.
The Philadelphia Sisters and Topnotch Management are behind the tournament. The Sisters have also been involved in efforts to expand professional women’s sports in Philadelphia, including the city’s WNBA return and an Unrivaled event that organizers reported drew 21,490 spectators.
Tickets for the Philly Open start at $20, with multiple seating and hospitality options available. Tournament information and tickets are available through ennoblecarephillyopen.com.
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