It was game, set, match at the end of the week-long Vero Beach International Tennis Open hosted at the Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club with presenting sponsor Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi of Melbourne. The United States Tennis Association Women’s Pro Circuit tournament attracted top female tennis professionals from more than 30 countries to compete and drew crowds of some 4,000 people over the course of the week.
More than 100 women participated in hopes of earning points toward their WTA ranking, and, most coveted of all, a $60,000 prize and the tournament title.
Grand Harbor hosted a variety of social events throughout the week to liven up the gameplay, beginning with an Opening Night ceremony.
“We’re so excited about this week. We’re proud of the fact that we have all this and that we have brought world-class tennis back to Vero Beach and back to Grand Harbor. I hope everybody enjoys a phenomenal week of tennis, and we’ll see you every day,” said Michael Gibson, Grand Harbor general manager.
The level of play this year was stellar, according to Marco Osorio, director of tennis, attributing the quality of players attracted to an increase in prize money from $25,000 to $60,000. They now have their sights set on offering $100,000 within the next five years.
“We were sold out Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” said Osorio, adding that all matches were also live-streamed around the world, increasing viewing exponentially.
Osorio acknowledged that they couldn’t have done it without the support of sponsors, the 80-plus club members who volunteered and the 100 club employees who assisted.
He was also thrilled that five girls from Vero Beach were able to play in the tournament and that other area tennis clubs came out to support the event.
Osorio said that things won’t be slowing down much on the tennis courts at Grand Harbor, noting that the tournament seems to have inspired people and that now, “everyone wants to play tennis.”
Tennis fans were also invited to attend a Fashion Show and Dinner organized by Ruth Farrell that featured sportswear from J. McLaughlin, Maus & Hoffman, the Grand Harbor Golf and Tennis shops, and Bluefish Sport, modeled by Grand Harbor members.
The evening’s emcee, Diane De Francisci, kicked off the historic-themed retrospective show by sharing some tennis history, as sponsors Bob and Lace Milligan, toting wooden tennis racquets, walked the runway in traditional Wimbledon attire.
Mid-week, club members’ talents were displayed during a Wine Social and Art Show featuring everything from abstracts and oils to acrylics and photography. The spectacular exhibit was curated by M.L. Norton and Debbie Lindsay, who invited photographer Jeffery Becton to showcase his work alongside the members. Considered a “pioneer of the digital revolution,” Becton’s work was a wonderful addition.
Lindsay noted that to “highlight the club and the talent we have here,” visitors attending the tennis tournament were invited to join club members at the events.
To close out the week, guests danced the night away to the sounds of Riptide during a Grand Dinner Dance, where they recalled the many exhilarating matches that had played out at the tournament.
The final matches on Sunday saw Marie Benoit (BEL) take the singles championship and Francesca Di Lorenzo (USA) and Makenna Jones (USA) take the doubles championship.
Photos by Joshua Kodis and Stephanie LaBaff
