The Dallas Open men’s indoor hard-court tennis tournament, currently taking place at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex on the campus of SMU, is moving to The Ford Center at The Star in 2025. The 12,000-seat indoor stadium home to the Dallas Cowboys‘ practice facility will open its doors to host the first Dallas Open tennis tournament in Frisco.
Assistant tennis coach Neil Grobler is excited about the move and believes it would benefit players and spectators alike.
“I am beyond excited for the decision to relocate the Dallas Open to Frisco in 2025,” Grobler said. “Although SMU has a state-of-the-art tennis facility, & has done a great job serving as a site for the Dallas Open over the past couple of years, I believe The Star will elevate the experience for the players & spectators.”
The move comes in conjunction with the tournament’s upgrade from ATP 250 to the ATP 500 level.
“[The upgrade] essentially means that the tournament is more valuable to the players for their rankings,” Grobler said. “Due to greater value, the prize money & quality of players will be even better once the tournament finds its new home in Frisco in 2025! Being such a strong & involved tennis community, this is a welcomed opportunity for Frisco residents to spectate high-quality tennis & support their favorite players – hopefully drawing in more fans to the sport!”
As a varsity tennis player, sophomore Ayush Dane believes the stadium change will make tournaments feel special.
“Having the Dallas Open at the Star Stadium in Frisco for 2025 is very exciting,” Dane said. “The venue change could bring a fresh and dynamic atmosphere to the tournament, making it a unique and memorable experience for players like myself.”
A major event like the Dallas Open could help Frisco attract international spectators, promoting cultural convergence in the area, according to AP Human Geography teacher Andrew Lamas.
“I think it is really interesting when people come from all over the country and maybe even internationally to participate in the games or watch them,” Lamas said. “It provides them with a firsthand experience of what Frisco has to offer, and local residents and businesses have the opportunity to interact with new people.”
For student-athletes, a new location can provide increased awareness of the sport.
“I believe that changing the location of the Dallas open to The Star stadium could have a significant impact on the city of Frisco,” tennis player, junior Hailey Zhang said. “I believe more people would be interested in attending and spending time at the event which would bring more awareness to the sport.”
Grobler believes that watching professional players play will inspire athletes and serve as an opportunity to witness dedication, hard work, and success.
“Seeing athletes work as hard as they can to reach the best versions of themselves in their respective arena of play – nothing quite comes close to a motivational moment,” Grobler said. “It will be incredible that junior tennis players, & other athletes, will have the opportunity to witness what it truly takes to win in sport at a professional level. If that doesn’t encourage a young tennis player to get after it, not sure much will.”
