MUSIC CELEBRITY REDFOO BACKS USTA WOMEN’S EVENT
Though it’s not on the East Coast, this could be a good time for a tennis vacation in Sin City. Redfoo from the hit music group LMFAO and his Party Rock brand have agreed to title sponsor the Party Rock Open, a USTA $50,000 Pro Circuit women’s tournament taking place in Las Vegas Sept. 23-30, tournament organizers have announced.
The Party Rock Open will make its debut at the Darling Tennis Center, formerly the host site of the Tennis Channel Open. The move to Darling, which is owned in part by ATP player and Las Vegas resident Sam Querrey, will accommodate night matches on the 3,000 capacity stadium court, as well as a Party Rock atmosphere featuring regular DJ sets throughout the tournament.
Party Rock Open co-tournament director Tyler Weekes, who operates the tennis concession at The Cosmopolitan on the Strip, recently crossed paths with Redfoo, a tennis enthusiast who grew up playing competitively in Southern California. While taking a lesson from Weekes at The Cosmopolitan, Redfoo learned of the tournament opportunity and expressed interest in helping promote the event and brand it after his Party Rock line of clothing.
Things moved quickly from there, and soon the Party Rock Open concept was born.
Tyler Weekes and Redfoo
“I’m so excited to bring Party Rock to the world of tennis, my favorite sport,” Redfoo said. “Where better to do it than my favorite place to play? Las Vegas!”
Looking to take an active role in Las Vegas’ only professional tournament, Redfoo plans to participate in Cox Communications Kids’ Day on September 23, host the official Players’ Party at Marquee, and pair with a top pro from the tournament in the Pro-Am doubles event.
Now in its fourth year, the tournament has acted as a stepping stone for some of the top talent in women’s professional tennis. Currently, approximately 10 players who have competed in Las Vegas since 2009 find themselves ranked inside the top 100 in the world.
Italy’s Romina Oprandi, currently ranked No. 59 in the WTA world rankings, captured the title in 2011, while top 40 player and U.S. Olympian Varvara Lepchenko was the 2010 champion.
“There is no doubt that the Party Rock Open will be a showcase for tomorrow’s generation of stars,” said Jordan Butler, co-tournament director along with Weekes. Added Weekes: “It’s time to Party Rock, Vegas pro tennis style.”
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group.
Follow along on Twitter @partyrockopen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyrockopen.com.
—S. Pratt
