First Unisex Pro Tennis Event To Be Held In California On August 3

The Ski Channel Chair & CEO and former Tennis Channel Founder & President Steve Bellamy on August 3 in Pacific Palisades, California, will stage what is "believed to be the first tournament involving world-ranked men and women going head to head" on the tennis court, according to John Nadel of the AP. The one-day competition will feature several rule changes, including "no overhand serve, second serves or lets." All serving will be "drop-hit and struck from below the waist," and the format "will be similar to table tennis, with the winner being the first to reach 21 points and each player serving five points before service alternates." Bellamy said that players expected to play include ATP Tour player Vince Spadea, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour player Alexandra Stevenson, former ATPer Derrick Rostagno and ATP BOD member Justin Gimelstob. Bellamy said that the event will have a "32-player draw and should be completed in about three hours." He added that a committee will "examine the qualifications of every entrant and choose the top 28," and the remaining four will "come from a qualifier earlier in the day that's open to the public." The entry fee is $100 for the main draw and $50 for the qualifier, and Bellamy said that the winner "will earn about $10,000." Sponsors include Wilson Racquet Sports, Pepsi, Fender Guitars and The Ski Channel (AP, 7/22).

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