The Ennoble Care Philly Open, a WTA 125 event, concludes tomorrow afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania’s Hamlin Tennis Center. I attended a promotional launch party for the event in the Spring and I certainly had my doubts as to its chances of success vis-a-vis the enormously popular US Open Fan Week going on at the same time just two hours up the road in New York. I was also skeptical of the management of the tournament. It’s fair to say that I was wrong on both counts. My visit to the site this morning ahead of today’s first semifinal match gave me confidence that the tournament will only gain steam as it concludes the first year of its three year commitment in the City of Brotherly Love.
Having attended Fan Week since long before the US Open called it Fan Week, it has devolved into a frenzy of freebie seekers, some of whom have little interest in the matches being played on court. The Marvel Spiderman Comic stampede each and every day was a look into the mayhem in store for a fan there. Ten years ago, the fans in attendance were deeply invested in the sport and you could casually engage in conversations with the players after their matches. Today, thousands of folks want selfies with players that they’ve never even heard of, all for the instant gratification of their Instagram addiction. The problem is so bad that the players are forced to be whisked away by security as a mob envelopes them. It’s still a fascinating experience, but it’s gone from the best kept secret to “no one goes there anymore, it’s too crowded”. It’s gone from the “free” tournament to the “get-all-the-free-stuff-I-can” tournament. If you prefer a more refined, relaxed, Type-B experience, Philly may be just what you’re looking for. And it lacks the hair-pulling, mind-numbing experience known as the Brooklyn Queens “Expressway.”
Sisters of Philadelphia is a non-profit which supports women’s athletics in the Delaware Valley. They were instrumental in the City’s quest to land a WNBA franchise and served as indispensible local sherpas in the planning of the Philly Open. Ashley Lunkenheimer is co-founder of the Sisters and a former All-American Rugby player from Amherst College. She answered a few questions for me last week.
1) Is Philly a tennis town? I get tired of that cliche, honestly. They say Atlanta is a tennis town and Baltimore is not. What do you think?
“Philly is a tennis town. Elton John wrote the song “Philadelphia Freedom” for Billie Jean King because she played for (World Team Tennis) the Freedom. We’ve had Tracy Austin, too, and I was lucky enough getting to meet these players while I was growing up.”
2) What convinced the Sisters to lend their local heft (and email list) to make the tournament a reality?
“Well, if Women’s Tennis is coming to Philly, then you have to be honored about it and you can’t do it casually. Naturally, we threw our support there.”
3) This blog has focused on equity and inclusion in tennis more over the years as Trumpism has run amok. I noticed lots of luxury and hospitality opportunities promoted for the tournament but I am sure you are providing opportunities for underserved communities as well. Please tell me about those.
“We’re making sure everyone can be a part of this. We’ve worked with the Franklin Institute and Parks and Rec to provide access to anyone who wants to be here. We promote partnerships that break down barriers.”
4) Finally, does the simultaneous timing of US Open Fan Week two hours away in New York affect the tournament in any way?
“It’s a funny week but they can both be great events. Something special is happening here, and we want to be a part of it.”
We’re glad they are part of it and that the pro tour included this great city in their plans for the first time in twenty years.
—S. Fogleman
Tennis Atlantic 
Return Serve?