The Tennis Stars are Coming!

Summer sporting event scheduled for Aug. 21-29

By ELYSSA MILLSPAUGH

Updated 3:32 PM EST, Tue, Jun 30, 2009

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Good news tennis fans!

Defending Pilot Pen Tennis champion, Caroline Wozniacki, has committed to another appearance at the Olympus U.S. Open Series, tournament director Anne Worcester announced Monday.

“I am thrilled to be coming back to defend my title at the Pilot Pen,” said Wozniacki. “I loved the atmosphere at the tournament last year and the terrific fan support helped me to the title. I hope that I have just as much success again this year in New Haven.”

The event will be held Aug. 21-29 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale as part of the ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, so mark your calendar and set aside a day or two to head down with the family.

World No. 9 Wozniacki, World No. 11 Marion Bartoli and former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo will also be competing. Rounding out the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour are Dominika Cibulkova and Alize Cornet.

“Adding two of the top stars in the women’s game is fantastic for the Pilot Pen,” said Worcester. “Caroline Wozniacki’s win last year is a perfect example of how fans can discover the stars of tomorrow at the Pilot Pen and in an up-close and intimate atmosphere. Last year she was unseeded, and this year she is one of the best players on the Tour. That speaks volumes about the value our fans get for their tickets.”

For the ATP World Tour, Americans Mardy Fish and Taylor Dent are representing the stars and stripes, while French Open quarterfinalist Tommy Robredo has also signed on.

The 2008 Pilot Pen drew more than 81,000 spectators and was televised nationally on ESPN2 and CBS Sports bringing in more than $26 million for the local economy.

Have a sweet serve yourself?

The Pilot Pen Tennis Family Classic is celebrating its ninth straight year for families across Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and New York to compete to play alongside the pros. So grab a racket and a parent, son, daughter or spouse and sign up! The finals for the family tournament will be played during the Pilot Pen Relay on Aug. 27 and winners will be awarded on Stadium Court.

For more information on the 2009 tournament, check the tourney Web site.