Sarasota Open bounces to Lakewood Ranch courts

The Sarasota Open drew more than 30,000 people to the Longboat Key Club Tennis Gardens in recent years — but in 2015 those athletes and spectators will head east.

Sarasota Open officials announced that next year’s tournament, scheduled for April 11 to April 19, will be held at the Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center.

Sarasota Open CEO Tony Driscoll approached Paul Lederman, director of athletic center operations at Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center, about the possibility of moving the competition to the Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center about four months ago. The two sides began negotiating before reaching an agreement last month.

“Lakewood Ranch has a great stadium and a lot of growth,” Driscoll says. “It’s an excellent opportunity.”
Gail Loefgren, president of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, said the Sarasota Open brought the Key positive exposure.

“I think it was a signature event for the island, and I’m sorry to see it go,” she said.

The decision wasn’t an easy one, but one Driscoll felt was too big of an opportunity to pass up.

“They’ve been great,” Driscoll said of the Key Club. “They are great people (to work with) and provide first-class opportunity. I couldn’t say enough great things about (Tennis Director) John Woods. The members are great, too. I think a lot of people will follow us (to Lakewood Ranch).”

“I think it will be great for club and Lakewood Ranch. They filled more than 31,000 seats last year, and we’re always trying to bring as many people to Lakewood Ranch as possible to develop the (area) and the athletic center,” Lederman said.

Jeff Mayers, general manager at the Key Club, gave the following statement to the Longboat Observer:
“The Sarasota Open has been held at the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club for a number of years, and we are pleased that during that time the tournament was able to grow into a $100,000 (prize purse) event, drawing top talent year after year. I am sure that its new location will offer opportunities for the tournament to continue to evolve. Events such as this draw visitors to our region allowing us to showcase everything our destination has to offer.”

The Sarasota Open is the premier men’s professional competition in Southwest Florida and attracts top players on the Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour. In addition to men’s singles and doubles tournaments, the Sarasota Open also features a smaller singles tournament for women.

“We have a number of juniors at the club, and it’s great for them to be able to go out and see that level of play,” Lederman said. “Hopefully it will encourage them to get more involved in tennis and show what they can do if they have that passion and work ethic.”

Sarasota Open officials plan to add stadium and bleacher seating around court one, the Lakewood Ranch facility’s existing stadium court, which will seat roughly 1,000 spectators and serve as the tournament’s nighttime stadium.

“We have so many members who will go on Longboat Key to watch the Sarasota Open and volunteer at the event that we just knew the demand would be so great for the area,” Lederman said.

Loefgren said it’s probably too late to attract a new event for 2015 but expressed optimism about possibilities for 2016.

“Hopefully, there will be a promoter who will take advantage of the vacancy,” she said.

Ticket sales
Sarasota Open CEO Tony Driscoll hopes to have tickets available for purchase online and through the box office beginning Jan. 1. Season ticket holders and Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets.

Driscoll also plans to begin announcing players for this year’s Sarasota Open in January as well.

With more tennis courts available at the Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center, the Sarasota Open will change its general admission seating this year. A general admission ticket will allow guests access to the second stadium and outdoor tennis courts. Those wishing to see the action on center court will need to purchase a box seat.