Some of the top adult tennis players from across the state will be in town this week to compete in the North Carolina Hard Court Championships at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex at Empie Park Aug. 1-3.
According to Tari Ann Toro-Steinmetz, Tennis Complex Manager at Empie Park, the City of Wilmington won the bid to host the prestigious event and it’s the first time the tournament will be held in the Port City.
There are more than 100 players registered for the event as participants will play in singles, doubles or mixed doubles in the following National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) ratings: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0.
According to the U.S. Tennis Association, the primary goal of the rating program is to help all tennis players enjoy the game by providing a method of classifying skill levels for more compatible matches, group lessons, league play, tournaments and other programs.
The rating categories are generalizations about skill levels. Ultimately, ratings are based upon match results. Click here to find out more about the NTRP levels.
Wilmington has a rich tennis community and the highest USTA membership out of any city in the state of North Carolina, with close to 3,000 USTA players.
Match play at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex inside Empie Park is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm. Friday, continuing Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
