MAC ON SPORTS: URSULA BECK CLASSIC TO REOPEN MEN’S PRO TENNIS

The 22nd Annual USTA/Ursula Beck Pro Tennis Classic will help reopen men’s professional tennis in the United States August 17th -23rd at the Fairview Tennis Center in Decatur, IL. The Beck family has once again agreed to sponsor the USTA Pro Circuit Event. This is the twenty-second year of the tournament as well as the twenty-second consecutive year in which the Beck family has agreed to be the title sponsor.

   “The Beck family is proud to continue our 22 years of sponsorship of the Ursula Beck tennis tournament.  It’s been a great honor and we continue to support all the efforts by the Decatur community and tournament director Chuck Kuhle. We look forward to its success in 2020” says Matt Beck, son of the late Darrell and Ursula Beck.

   This year, the tournament prize money continues to be $25,000.  Players will compete not only for prize money but ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) world ranking points.  In past years, this professional event has hosted 70 players from over 20 different countries during each tournament.

   “The local tennis community is excited to help the United States Tennis Association (USTA) reopen professional men’s tennis in the United States” said Chuck Kuhle, Tournament Director of the event.  “Tennis, along with so many other sports, had been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

   “The USTA has always respected our tournament and we are happy they have the confidence in our organization to be a part of returning professional tennis back to our country.  We will run the tournament with safety guidelines provided to us by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the USTA.  I am thrilled that the Beck family, as well as the Decatur Park District, have stepped up to the plate once again” said Kuhle.

    I will have more on this developing story in a future print edition of the Decatur Tribune.