New Haven Open at Yale: World-Class Tennis in an Intimate Connecticut Setting

The New Haven Open at Yale (formerly the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament with a men's tournament), returns in 2012 as solely a women's tennis tournament for the second year since Pilot Pen ended its sponsorship. The New Haven Open presented by First Niagara is the final women's tournament in the seven-week Emirates Airline US Open Series leading into the US Open. Because it is considered a warm-up for the US Open, the event draws many of the top names in women's tennis to New Haven, Connecticut. In addition to women's singles, there will also be women's and mixed doubles competitions.

Qualifying rounds for the 2012 New Haven Open at Yale will be held August 17 and 18. The main draw is scheduled for Sunday, August 19 through Saturday, August 25, 2012. The women's singles finals take place on Saturday, August 25, at 3 p.m. The women's doubles final begins earlier that day at 12:30 p.m., followed by the US Open National Playoffs Mixed Doubles Finals.

The women's field features 18 players who competed in the 2012 London Olympics including defending four-time Pilot Pen champion Caroline Wozniacki, who is ranked number eight in the world. Other top women players include Agnieszka Radwanska, who reached the 2012 Wimbledon final and is currently ranked third in the world; 2011 Wimbledon Champion and currently sixth ranked Petra Kvitova; 2010 French Open Champion Francesca Schiavone, who is currently ranked number 22; and 20-year-old American Christina McHale, who once beat Wozniacki.

You can purchase tickets online or by calling toll free, 855-464-8366. Tickets can be purchased individually or in a variety of package plans.

The tournament is held at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale University in New Haven. From the Hartford area, follow Route 91 South to Exit 1 for Route 34 West, then take Exit 3. Continue straight for about 1 mile. Turn right onto Ella T. Grasso Boulevard/Route 10. At the first light, turn left onto Derby Avenue. At the intersection of Derby and Central Avenues, turn right. Parking will be on your left. More Directions

I had an opportunity to watch the women's finals at the Pilot Pen in 2005, and I was impressed not only by the intimacy of the venue but by the energy of the crowd. There isn't a bad seat in the house, and tennis fans have an opportunity to see world-class players up close right here in New England. In addition to the schedule of tennis matches, the New Haven Open tournament also features vendor exhibits, giveaways and a surprisingly diverse selection of food options. Sunday, August 19, 2012 is Aetna Kids Day featuring discounted admission, player autograph sessions, activities for kids and a cool goody bag for the first 1,000 kids.

Yes! The Study and the Omni New Haven Hotel offer special New Haven Open packages that include accommodations, a welcome gift, a $50 dining certificate, transportation from the hotel to the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale and box seat tickets to the tournament. To reserve your travel package, call toll free, 855-4-NHTENNIS.

More Hotels Near Yale

Visit the New Haven Open at Yale Web site for complete information on participating players, the tournament schedule, televised matches, standings and more. You can also call 203-776-7331 for additional information.

The City of New Haven will offer free trolley transportation between the Connecticut Tennis Center and downtown New Haven. Here are some additional things to see and do while you're in New Haven:

Tour Center Church Crypt

Enjoy Vegetarian Fare at Claire's Corner Copia

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary tickets for the purpose of reviewing this event. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.