Pro tennis is coming to Stowe, Vt., for the "first time in a decade," as Stowe Mountain Lodge will "host seven men's players in a round robin tournament in late August," according to Jack Fitzsimmons of Burlington-based WCAX-TV. Five of the top 80 players in the ATP World Rankings "will participate" in the event from Aug. 22-24. The lodge is "currently building a stadium at the base of Spruce Peak for the event in conjunction with Grand Slam Tennis Tours." When completed, the stadium will "hold about 2,700 fans." The tournament is the product of Grand Slam President Andrew Chmura, who was "also responsible" for bringing the '07 Fed Cup semifinal between the U.S. and Russian women's teams to Stowe. Chmura said, "A lot of our clients have asked to come up to Stowe and watch some tennis." Fitzsimmons noted it is "designed to prepare participants" for the U.S. Open the next week. The court is being "built to the same specifications one would find" at the U.S. Open. Chmura: "Hopefully this is gonna prepare them well for the Open" (WCAX.com, 8/1).
