This weekend, the south side of IUPUI’s campus will be flooded with America’s personified hope for a return to international tennis prowess, as the Indianapolis Tennis Championships commence for the 21st year. This year’s field is thin on big-name talent, but where popularity is lacking, ambition and promise fill the void. The nation’s top prospects will be competing in an intimate setting, providing Hoosier tennis fans an up-close look at the future of American tennis.

This year’s tourney is headlined by James Blake, who won in 2006, but was stunned by Sam Querrey in the quarter-final match last year. Querrey returns to Indianapolis a little older, a little wiser and — though it seems impossible — more dangerous. In his quarter-final upset over Blake in 2007, Querrey unleashed a blitzkrieg of 36 devastating aces, including a record-breaking 10 in a row at one juncture of the match. He is built like a basketball player, and his towering frame allows him to pummel his opponents from the base line like in a game of “Assault” on American Gladiators. Fortunately for the competition, the object of tennis is to hit the ball away from your opponent. Unfortunately, however, they do not have an elaborate citadel of foam to hide from his wrath.  

Regrettably for the starry-eyed youth of American pro tennis, the tournament is open to foreigners.  Scotsman Andy Murray will likely take the second seed behind Blake, as the current No. 9 player in the world. Last year’s champion, Dmitry Tursunov of Russia, has committed to the tournament, as have Germany's Tommy Haas and France's Fabrice Santoro. 

Each day of the tournament has a special promotion, including College Night Thursday, July 17, beginning at 6 p.m. NUVO and IndyHub are sponsors of the night and special events include cornhole, drink specials and a live concert after the final match of the evening by the Clayton Anderson Band. Other days with special promotions include a Kids Day Monday, July 15, which provides a free instructional clinic with paid admission for children, and Ladies Day Friday, July 18, which provides for tennis playing, lunch eating and autograph procuring from players (sorry ladies, no Andy Roddick this year).

The preliminary rounds begin this weekend, with a special ticket price of $8 for any seat in the house.  Ticket prices increase with each day of competition, culminating with the final round on Sunday, July 20.

Indianapolis Tennis Championships

When: July 12-20
Where: Indianapolis Tennis Center
815 W. New York St.
Tickets: 800-622-LOVE,
www.tickemaster.com or at the door
Information: www.tennisindy.com

Periodically throughout the week, tournament updates will be posted on the NUVO blog site, including discounted ticket details, specific event information and smug analysis of the action.