Pro tennis set to return to Memphis after nearly a decade
Omer Yusuf | Memphis Business Journal
Professional tennis is officially returning to Memphis this summer.
On Monday, March 2, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced a new tournament: the Memphis Classic.
That adds another major sporting event to the city’s summer calendar, and could potentially attract some of the world’s best tennis players.
The Memphis Classic is set to be held July 25–Aug. 2 at Leftwich Tennis Center, the first tournament under a multiyear deal.
It’s been nearly a decade since Memphis last hosted a professional tennis tournament. The Memphis Open had a four-decade run in the city, last held at the now-demolished Racquet Club of Memphis until 2017.
The Memphis Open — which featured men and women’s tournaments — saw many of the world’s best players, including Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, and John McEnroe play in the Bluff City.
“This is a major win for Memphis and a powerful affirmation of the investment we have made in Leftwich Tennis Center,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said in a statement. “Hosting the Memphis Classic at Leftwich puts one of our premier city-owned facilities on the global stage and brings world-class tennis to Memphis.”
Leftwich underwent a $30 million renovation that was completed in 2023. The facility features 12 new indoor and 24 outdoor tennis courts. Leftwich is joint venture by the City of Memphis, the University of Memphis, and nonprofit Tennis Memphis.
One of the goals of the Leftwich renovation was to bring professional tennis back to Memphis.
The Memphis Classic is set to be operated by Topnotch Management, a Cleveland-based sports agency.
Topnotch’s portfolio has included the WTA’s Tennis in the Land in Cleveland, a WTA 250 event like the Memphis Classic. That tournament's 2026 event was recently canceled after five years because it didn't have a permanent tennis facility.
The Memphis Classic is set to feature a 32-player singles draw, with WTA 250-level ranking points and prize money. The player field won't be confirmed until four weeks before the event begins. The US Open is scheduled to begin Aug. 30, about a month after the Memphis Classic.
“Memphis knows pro tennis, and we are so excited to bring it back,” Memphis Classic tournament director Kyle Ross said in a statement. “Our WTA 250 event will deliver elite competition at one of the top municipal tennis facilities in the country, creating new opportunities for fans, partners, and the community to connect with the global game right here in Memphis.”