A look back at professional tennis in New Haven

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The city of New Haven has a long history of professional tennis, including 29 consecutive years with a Premier men’s or women’s tournament.

That run is ending, as the WTA Premier Sanction for the Connecticut Open is being sold. From the Volvo International through the Pilot Pen, New Haven Open at Yale and, eventually, the Connecticut Open, high-level tennis has been a fixture in the city and the state.

A look back at the highlights of professional tennis in New Haven:

August 2018

James Blake and John McEnroe played legends matches while Lindsay Davenport played an exhibition match and Aryna Sabalenka won her first WTA title during a week when the Connecticut Open drew 50,255, the third-highest attended women’s only event on the WTA calendar.

August 2017

Just eight months after suffering hand wounds during a knife attack by a home intruder, three-time champion Petra Kvitova returned to New Haven.

Venus Williams signs autographs after defeating Meghann Shaughnessy on Aug. 20, 2002 Venus Williams signs autographs after defeating Meghann Shaughnessy on Aug. 20, 2002 Photo: NEW HAVEN-PILOT PEN-PHOTO /JEFF HOLT Photo: NEW HAVEN-PILOT PEN-PHOTO /JEFF HOLT Image 1 of / 99 Caption Close A look back at professional tennis in New Haven 1 / 99 Back to Gallery

August 2015

The men’s legends events drew John McEnroe, who entertained a Friday night crowd. McEnroe auctioned off his racquet for $7,000 to the Smilow Cancer Hospital.

August 2014

Fairfield’s James Blake was back at the Connecticut Tennis Center for the first men’s legends event.

October 2013

With the tournament about to be sold and moved to Winston-Salem, N.C., the state of Connecticut purchased the event for $618,000. Rebranded as the Connecticut Open, the tournament began operating as a not-for--profit organization.

August 2012

Former Wimbledon champion Kvitova, who talks of her love for the environment at the tournament, won her first of three titles in four years.

December 2010

The USTA and ATP announced the men’s event is moving to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.

October 2010

Pilot Pen ended its sponsorship, leaving the tournament with four “cornerstone” sponsors and a new name — New Haven Open at Yale.

August 2008

Danish 18-year-old Caroline Wozniacki won her first of four consecutive titles in New Haven. Wozniacki, later the No. 1 player in the world, emerged as a fan favorite in Connecticut.

August 2007

Blake won his second Pilot Pen title in three years, defeating friend Mardy Fish in the title match.

August 2005

The Pilot Pen and the USTA strike a deal to bring men back to New Haven for the first time since 1998. And as the men returned, Blake uses the opportunity to revive his career after battling back from a broken neck and shingles.Blake won the tournament in front of a raucous crowd fueled by the “J-Block” section in the stands. Lindsay Davenport won the women’s event after losing in the finals in 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

July 2004

Maria Mania hit New Haven as Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova conducted a downtown street clinic before about about 1,000.

August 2003

After winning four consecutive titles and 16 consecutive matches, Venus Williams skipped the Pilot Pen, citing an abdominal strain.

August 2001

American stars Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati battled in a Friday night semifinal match before 11,5000. Williams, the eventual champion, beat Capriati

August 2000

Martina Navratilova competed in the Pilot Pen doubles with Katarina Srebotnik. It was her first appearance at the Connecticut Tennis Center since 1994.

August 1999

Rising star Venus Williams beat Davenport for her first of four consecutive titles.

October 1998

The men’s tournament was sold to promoters in Austria, leaving New Haven with the Pilot Pen women’s event run by former WTA head Anne Worcester.

August 1998

After operating as a men’s-only event, the tournament adds the WTA and is called the Pilot Pen. Steffi Graf won the first women’s title.

August 1995

Andre Agassi, the No. 1 player in the world, beat Richard Krajicek and shaved the head of Volvo tournament chairman Jim Westhall on the court after the title match.

August 1994

Navratilova played a three-day exhibition SNET Classic, beating Jana Novotna before a record crowd of 12,964.

August 1994

Agassi complained about the music played during the changeover at his match with Jan Siemerink. After losing to Simerink, Agassi called the must an “embarrassment.”

August 1992

Problems at the stadium occured when rain causes the surface on stadium court to bubble and tear. Play is postponed for a Wednesday afternoon session at the Volvo International.

August 1991

The 15,000-seat Connecticut Tennis Center opened with a match featuring former Yale star Glenn Layendecker, who loses to Doug Burke.

August 1990

The Volvo International was staged at a temporary stadium at Yale as the Connecticut Tennis Center was built. Unseeded Derrick Rostagno beat Todd Woodbridge for the title, as Ivan Lendl was upset in the second round.

September 1989

Volvo International tournament director Westhall announced he is moving his tournament from Stratton Mountain, Vermont to New Haven in 1990. “We’re going to knock the sock off the tennis world,” he said.

August 1983

The first of six years that Yale hosted the USTA Challenger series. Steve Meister beat Craig Campbell in the first event, a staple in the city until 1988.

November 1982

McEnroe and Guillermo Vilas came to the New Haven Coliseum for the Miller Lite/New Haven Bank exhibition tennis match. Vilas won the singles match while Dick Butkus and Bubba Smith played a celebrity doubles match with McEnroe and Vilas.

March 1979

The New Haven Coliseum was the site of a three-day charity World Cup clash between the United States and Australia. The format was four singles and three doubles matches.

February 1971

The New Haven Arena hosted the $210,000 Tennis Championship Classic, a one-day event featuring Rod Laver, Tony Roche and Roy Emerson.