SUBSCRIBE & WIN! Sign up for the Daily CHAT News Today Newsletter for a chance to win a $75 South Country Co-op gift card!

Courtesy Medicine Hat Tennis Club, previous winners of Medicine Hat Open 2022

Medicine Hat’s biggest tennis tournament is back on Tuesday

Aug 14, 2023 | 8:18 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Rackets have been swinging all summer on the tennis courts. Large events such as the Barrie Shave Classic and the Summer Mixed Doubles tournament have brought fantastic tennis to Medicine Hat. However, all of those events have led up to the biggest all summer, the Medicine Hat Open.

This five day tournament will run from Tuesday to Saturday. There are a total of 6 events featuring about 60 players.

During the Friday night match, there will be snacks provided by the club and an icebreaker for spectators.

This event has been running for around 20 years, but in preparation for this year two courts have been renovated.

These courts were funded by both provincial and municipal grants, as well as club fundraising, but as club manager Ken Clement says, these renovations are anything but normal.

“We have our newly renovated back courts which have got a plexi cushion surface, which is the Australian Open surface. It’s a little bit cushioned so it’s very easy on players’ bodies. And the courts are brand new right now, so they’re quite a sight to see,” Clement explains.

He adds, “it’s a multi-pronged venture ’cause they’re quite expensive to put down that kind of surface. So we’re very proud to have them. We’re the only club in southern Alberta that’s got something like that, so we’re quite proud of that.”

The tournament is free to watch, and the club is located near the Crestwood swimming pool.