CT Open To Host a New “Foodie” Event

By Kristine Phillips

NEW HAVEN–As everyone knows, the Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies is about more than WTA/US Open Series tennis. Much more.

There is, of course, the Powershares Series featuring some of the greatest male players in the history of the game, this year including Hall-of-Famers Michael Chang and John McEnroe, along with local favorite, Fairfield native James Blake and defending champion Mark Philippoussis. In addition, there will be an appearance by Martina Navratilova, without question one of the greatest women’s players in the history of the sport. The 20-time Grand Slam champ, who last played in New Haven in in 2004 when the tournament was known as the Pilot Pen, will appear at the Opening Ceremony on Aug. 21, and will play in a mixed doubles exhibition match following the 7 p.m. match, facing Mats Wilander—former World No. 1 player from Sweden and eight-time Grand Slam winner (seven singles, one doubles).

And, then, of course, there is the food. The food court on the grounds of the tournament is always a cornucopia of flavorful offerings from many of the New Haven area’s finest dining establishments. And now, the tournament is presenting a new “foodie event,” marrying tennis with some of New Haven’s most delicious dishes at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale on Aug. 20 from 6-9 p.m.

Porsche presents Game. Set. Munch! will kick-off the 2017 tournament, which this year celebrates 20 years of women’s tennis in New Haven. This exclusive, VIP experience will bring tennis, food, spirits and music under one roof on the 19th floor, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer captivating, panoramic views of the city, Long Island Sound, and Yale University, to diners. 

Three of the Omni’s on-site restaurants will take part: John Davenport’s offers contemporary, approachable, coastal New England fare, Barcelona features the best of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine with tapas, meats, seafood and paella and Cask Republic offers serious chef-crafted American fare with a carefully curated selection of beer, wine and cocktails.

The spirits portion of the event is being curated by New Haven’s premiere wine purveyor, The Wine Thief, who will be working with local Connecticut vintners, distillers and brewers. The selections will be paired to complement the featured cuisine.   

WTA main draw players will be making appearances throughout the evening. Tickets are available at $100 for two tickets using promo code MUNCH100. For tickets, visit www.ctopen.org/events/gamesetmunch or call 855-464-8366.

Tournament tickets are also now on sale. For the various packages available, including single-match and multi-match packages, click HERE.

Volunteers Needed

The Connecticut Open is looking for volunteers to staff this year's tournament.

 

Benefits:

• Uniform- Two (2) t-shirts, a long-sleeve pullover and a hat.  Volunteers provide khaki shorts or slacks to compliment the uniform.
• MORE Complimentary Tickets- Volunteers receive two (2) tickets with designated seat locations to four (4) early round sessions.
• Meal coupons- $11 for each shift worked.
• Free Parking- Within walking distance to the tournament site.
• Weeklong Photo Credential- Granting access to the Stadium Court for designated shifts, as well as unlimited access to other tournament courts. 
• Volunteer Celebration - August 12.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age (with select opportunities available for 16- and 17-year-olds).
• Attend a Volunteer Celebration on August 12. New Volunteers must attend a training session at 9:00 a.m. at the Connecticut Tennis Center (45 Yale Avenue), and returning volunteers may pick up their packets between 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Volunteer Tent. (Food will be served.)
• Volunteer a minimum of six (6) shifts throughout the tournament.  Shift schedules vary by committee and are typically 4.5-5 hours in length.

Registration:

• Click HERE to register.

      Questions?

•  Email volunteers@ctopen.org, or call 203-776-7331 ext. 5842.

About Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies

The Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies is a WTA tournament and U.S. Open Series event held annually at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale featuring a 48-player qualifying draw, 30-player singles main draw, and 16-team doubles draw with total prize money of $710,900. This year will be a celebration of 20 years of women’s tennis in New Haven. Past champions include Caroline Wozniacki (4 titles), Venus Williams (4), Petra Kvitova (3), Lindsay Davenport (2), Steffi Graf, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin, and defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska.

As a not-for-profit 501c3 charitable organization, the tournament’s mission is to leverage the excitement of world-class women’s tennis to benefit the local community and maximize support for women’s, youth and other causes. Owned by the State of Connecticut, the tournament generates $10+ million in regional economic support. The Connecticut Open is prominently featured domestically through 50+ hours of coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN3.  For more details and tickets, visit  www.ctopen.org  or call 1-855-464-8366

—with staff reports