Indoor Tennis Facility Opens in Downtown Mobile
May 15th, 2006
Mobile’s semitropical climate sometimes presents a challenge for such outdoor sports as tennis.Now, when such tennis stars as Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick enter onto local courts, weather won’t be a problem – thanks to city and SMG officials who recently opened up indoor tennis in the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center which overlooks the scenic Mobile Bay.
The indoor cushioned and portable courts will serve as back up and overflow space for the Mobile Tennis Center’s 50 outdoor courts, the largest national and international outdoor tennis facility in the nation.
“This is an exciting endeavor for the City of Mobile,” said City Council President Reggie Copeland. “For the first time in the city’s history, we’ll have indoor tennis. This will allow us to compete and bring in larger tennis tournaments.”
With a local economic impact of over $15 million, tennis is bustling in the Port City, landing such prestigious tournaments as the USTA League Tennis Southern Sectional Championship, slated for July 20-29, 2007. The estimated attendance for the championship is 2,500, creating about $13 million for Mobile’s economy.
“Tennis economic impact for the city is tremendous,” said Mobile Mayor Sam Jones. “The sports growing popularity is not only good for restaurants and hotels, but it will boost Mobile’s image on the national and international tennis circuit.”
Other tournaments slated to be held in Mobile include:
• NAIA Tennis Tournament – May 16-20, 2006;
• Alabama Adult Tennis Championship – June 7-10, 2006;
• Alabama Adult League Tennis Championship – June 15-18, 2006;
• Southern USTA Tennis Tournament – August 18-20, 2006;
• Alabama Junior Tennis Open – September 29-30, 2006;
• Southern Bullfrog Junior Designated Tennis Tournament – October 27-30, 2006;
• Turkey Day Adult Tennis Tournament – November 17-20, 2006;
• Spring National 18’s Tennis Tournament – March 16-21, 2007;
• NAIA Collegiate Tennis Championship - May 13-22, 2007;
• Alabama Adult League Tennis Championship – June 6-11, 2007;
• Alabama Adult League Tennis Championship #2 – June 13-17, 2007;
• Alabama Sports Festival Tennis Tournament – June 25-26, 2007;
• USA Junior Tennis Tournament – August 18-19, 2007;
• Alabama Open Tennis Tournament – September 30 – October 2, 2007;
• USTA League Mixed Doubles Southern Sectional Championships – October 19-21, 2007.