Venus to play the Chicago 250k

[rex]

Per tweet, she's going to participate next week.....

However, the WTA website still doesn't have the draw....

[rex]

Unbelievable the players playing this event.....

Not only Venus, participating are Elena Svitolina, Giorgi, Cornet, Vondrousova, Kostyuk, Su-Wei, who gets Venus in the lst, a match I definitely intend to see, Heather Watson, Kristina Mladenovic, Alison VanUtyvanck and Golubic, who has a backhand like Justine, and Kai Kanepi amongst others.... Further, Francoise Abanda is playing here, who got a WC to the main draw. I guess some players didn't want to hang around New York for a week prior to the Slam. Pretty good lineup and draw for this 250k. Kinda wonder what the 500k event will look like here in late September.

[rex]

Update on participation.....Giorgi has withdrawn and is replaced by Alize Cornet, whose tennis equipment didn't arrive in time to play Cincy.

[rex]

Man.....for the Venus/Su-Wei match there is a need for more bleachers, for what seating there is it's loaded, but that's not saying much. If this event had the main court that is currently available in Cleveland, it would be most fitting. To think they are going to host a 500k event at the same site next month. Not apt.....

I see that a lot of players have retired, must be heat-related, currently 85 in temps.

[rex]

Venus in shape and looking good. Hope she plays as well.....

[rex]

Well.....Venus wasn't that much competitive, losing 6-2, 6-3, but she filled what little there was of a house, which didn't take a lot. Attached is a picture of the main court at this facility in Chicago, which is clearly not adequate to host a 250k/500k event. Click on the picture twice to get a larger view of the court.

[Ace2Ace]

People are willing to go even to small villages to watch Venus.

[rex]

Cleveland's main court. A better court for Venus' match with Su-wei yesterday. This is what Chicago needs or something similar if they are going to be added to the WTA calendar and attract better players. They are hosting 3 events this year, a 125k, 250k and a 500k and clearly this facility is not adequate.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9fn2C1X0AE ... name=large

[rex]

A video of the Cleveland location. Looks like it was recently constructed. Chicago can do just as well, if it's serious about being a tennis venue for the ladies, including the ATP.

[Ace2Ace]

Nice ... That shouldn't cost lots of money to build. Every small venue could afford it.