This week, the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex at SMU is hosting the ATP Dallas Open, the city's first professional tennis event since 1989. The tournament relocated from New York this year.
This is the only ATP indoor tour-level event in he United States, and 18 of the world's top 100 tennis players are expected to participate.
"We have professional tennis at a high level here in Dallas," says Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission. "I can tell you the fans are super, super excited."
Organizers say attendance outpaced expectations with more than 1,000 people attending qualifying rounds Sunday.
"Obviously, we're known for our great Texas hospitality, so that we know always shines, but it takes an entire group, our local organizing committee to be able to put together these major events," Paul says.
SMU added grandstands inside the tennis center to accommodate crowds, but the smaller venue aims to help drive interest by placing people closer to the action. Paul says that can also spark interest in the sport among young people.
"Those kids who may never have been able to pick up a racket or go to a professional tennis event get that exposure," she says. "Students at SMU and those who are already playing tennis are able to see that and then aspire to play at that level."
Paul says organizers worked with SMU, airports, transit agencies and the business community to ensure crowds from across the country and around the world would have an easier time navigating North Texas.
"I think Dallas is really positioned nationally and internationally, continuing to grow internationally to be that sports destination," Paul says.
She says events like the ATP Tour can help North Texas build its reputation as a destination for a variety of professional sporting events. Fort Worth will host the opening round of the NCAA tournament in March, Arlington will host WrestleMania in April, and North Texas is bidding for the 2026 World Cup Finals.
"Oh my gosh, there are so many different sports and so much diversity here in the DFW region," Paul says. "Professional tennis, some of the other major sporting events that come to town on a relatively frequent cycle are important in being able to get sporting events that generate that economic impact."
The ATP Dallas Open runs through Sunday at SMU. Details and tickets are available at dallasopen.com .
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