The WTA has announced the return of professional women's tennis to Memphis, Tennessee, with the inaugural Memphis Classic set for July 25 to August 2, 2026. The WTA 250 event at Leftwich Tennis Center will feature a 32-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw on outdoor hard courts, replacing the Cleveland tournament on the calendar. This marks the city's first WTA Tour event since 2013.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) revealed on March 2, 2026, that Memphis will host a WTA 250 tournament for the first time in 13 years. The Memphis Classic will take place at the Leftwich Tennis Center, which underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion before reopening in 2023. The facility hosts the University of Memphis tennis teams, American Conference championships, and is open to the public with both indoor and outdoor courts.
The event replaces the Cleveland WTA 250, originally scheduled for late August, and is positioned ahead of the WTA 1000 in Montreal and the US Open. It will award WTA rankings points and prize money, with the player field to be announced four weeks prior. Organizers expect top professionals to participate as they prepare for major hard-court events.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young described the announcement as "a major win for our city" during a press conference at Leftwich. He highlighted the city's investment in the facility, stating, "When we invest in our assets, we know that opportunities follow."
The tournament is part of a multi-year agreement, ensuring its continuation beyond 2026. Tournament director Kyle Ross emphasized its visibility: "That competition will be broadcast around the country, around the world. We're going to beam Memphis and Leftwich out there and it's going to put a major spotlight on what this city and this facility can do."
Tennis Memphis CEO John Borden noted the community impact: "This is a real opportunity to energize our entire community and show every young person what excellence looks like... demonstrated by the best athletes in the world delivering exciting moments and competition that only tennis and sports can deliver."
Historically, Memphis hosted the U.S. National Indoor Championships from 2002 to 2013, with past champions including Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Victoria Azarenka. National sponsorship is already secured, with plans to attract more ahead of the event. Tickets are not yet on sale.
