San José State University is set to enhance its new SJSU Tennis Complex, which opened just two months ago, after securing a deal to host one of women’s tennis’ most celebrated events.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced that the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, won last year by Madison Keys, will move to its new location in the California Bay Area. The Mubadala Investment Company has replaced Bank of the West as title sponsor of the WTA’s longest-running event, which began in 1971 as the Stanford Classic.
The IMG agency has made a long-term agreement with San José State University to host the event beginning in 2018, reinforcing its commitment to keeping the WTA Premier tournament in California’s Bay Area after a lengthy tenure at Stanford University.
The 2018 Classic will take place from July 30 to August 5 and is the first event in the US Open Series, which leads up to the final grand slam event of the year.
Under the five-year, minimum $1.5m (£1.1m/€1.2m) deal, IMG rental fees will fund the construction of a custom stadium court for 4,000 fans and a state-of-the-art building housing locker rooms, a players’ lounge and coaches’ offices.
The SJSU Tennis Complex opened in December and presently consists of six United States Tennis Association-approved illuminated outdoor courts. Future plans include adding six covered courts to the complex.
“When we met with San José State, we could tell right away that they would be more than a venue, but a partner that was willing to invest and help us grow the event,” said Vickie Gunnarsson, tournament director of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic.
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IMAGE: San Jose State Spartans
