Fairfield, September 17, 2024: The Taube/Kennedy-Grossman Solano Challenger returns to Solano Community College in October and could once again showcase some potential future stars.
Proof of that was spotted at the U.S. Open earlier this month in New York when Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz squared off in the semifinals. Fritz advanced to the finals and lost to Jannik Sinner of Italy.
Both Tiafoe and Fritz turned pro in 2015 and one of the Challenger Tour events they competed in was the Fairfield Men’s Pro Challenge (now Solano Challenger), which Fritz won that year.
Fritz, now ranked No. 7 in the world, and No. 16 Tiafoe were not the only former Solano Challenger alumni to make strong runs at the U.S. Open. Other Solano tournament alumni to make the top 16 at the U.S. Open included Casper Ruud (9); Tommy Paul (13); Jordan Thompson (29); and Brandon Nakashima (40).
The Solano Challenger event will be held at Solano Oct. 6-13. Time will tell who the next group of up-and-coming stars might be, but 15 of the current top-100 in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings played in the Fairfield tournament in the past.
“The quality of tennis is incredibly high,” tournament director and Northern California Tennis Hall of Famer Phil Cello said of the annual Fairfield tournament. “You really get to see top-class players whose names will become known throughout the tennis world in years to come.”
Co-director of the tournament this year is Celia Esposito-Noy, who recently retired as Superintendent and President of Solano Community College. She is excited to join the effort to bring top-notch tennis to the community, “Each year we see not only the up-and-comers but guys who are also later in their careers and hoping to get back on top.” she noted. “And the lineup for this year’s event promises to once again bring must-see action to the campus.”
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now at SolanoChallenger.com. All seating is in close proximity to the courts.
The tournament benefits the Dr. Chris Cammisa Tennis and Educational Foundation, an organization that supports the women’s and men’s teams at SCC and also introduces tennis and a related educational program to underserved youths in Solano County.
There are numerous opportunities to be tournament sponsors, volunteers, and for youth, to be “Ball Kids” during the matches. Click the “Get Involved” icon at SolanoChallenger.com to learn more.
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