Dow Corning Tennis Classic Pulls Out All Stops

Written by: Staff on 6th February 2013

Dow Corning Tennis Classic Pulls Out All Stops |

The Dow Corning Tennis Classic in Midland Michigan is going all put to celebrate its 25th anniversary this week. Held at the Midland Community Tennis Center, the $100,000 tournament is considered to be one of the USTA Pro Circuit’s important events. The Dow Corning Tennis Classic is the longest-running women’s event on the USTA Pro Circuit. Midland was America’s “Best Tennis Town” in 2009.

The event sees itself as a breeding ground for the champions of tomorrow. Among those stars who have played there are Maria Sharapova, Li Na (who won the event in 2002), Francesca Schiavone, Justine Henin and Anna Kournikova (who won the event in 1996).

The Czech duo of Andrea Hlavackova/Lucie Hradecka, who reached the WTA Championships in 2012, won the event last year.

Former Wimbledon semifinalist Meredith McGrath was on site to speak about their experiences on tour.

Midland native McGrath played the tournament when it started in 1989 when she was a senior at Dow High School

“It’s really special to me to be back here and be a part of this week,” McGrath said at a press conference. “This tournament and community here in Midland mean so much to me.”

McGrath competed in the tournament for seven years and won three doubles titles. She reached a career high ranking of No. 18 in singles competition in 1996 and won three titles.

She also won the US Open mixed doubles title in 1995 and reached the women’s doubles finals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. She won 25 doubles titles overall.

McGrath said that the tournament had a great reputation.

“This center court was here back in the beginning,” McGrath said. “You just don’t see a facility like this at a $25,000 or $50,000 tournament. It’s incredible. Most of these girls are used to getting a couple balls, going out on the court and playing your match, maybe three people show up and one is your coach. It is a bigger atmosphere. Word spreads fast, if there is a good tournament that spreads, players talk.”

Two top 100 players are competing at this tournament this week in Lauren Davis and CoCo Vandeweghe and young American Taylor Townsend and Asia Muhammed have received wild cards.

The Dow Corning Tennis Classic attracts more than 15,000 fans every year.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Anna Kournikova, Dow Corning, Dow Corning Tennis Classic, Francesca Schiavone, Justine Henin, Li Na, Maria Sharapova, Michigan tennis news, Sports, Tennis News, USTA Pro Circuit