The Kunstadt Open Tennis Tournament – 19 years and counting

It has been 19 years since the Kunstadt family first established what would become Ottawa’s longest lasting open Tennis tournament. It wasn’t the business potential or charitable contributions but rather a love of the game that brought the tournament to life.

“We grew up playing tennis,” explains Ron Kunstadt “My parents have been members of the Glen Cairn Tennis Club since 1979 – it’s in our blood.”

Kunstadt says the tournament started out as something small, a reason to bring great tennis players together and to just enjoy the game. They didn’t expect much in the first year or two, but it didn’t take long for the Kunstadt Open to become a must-play tournament. “We’ve created the best kind of monster,” he says. “It started out as a small tournament, and it just kept growing.”

Since 1997, many of Ontario’s top tennis players have graced the Kunstadt Open courts, fittingly held at Glen Cairn Tennis Club. People like 2015 PanAm Medalist Gabriela Dabrowski, Rob Steckley, Andrew

Sznajder

, David Kepka, and Galin Nizortchev – who was just 10 the first time he played the Kunstadt Open and was, at 18, rated 3rd in Ontario.

This year, we welcome

Marc Abdelnor, a member of the Syrian Davis Cup Team with an ATP Ranking of 700.

Sean Sweeney (founder of Score Tennis Academy) will be on hand this year, along with is son Jordan who was the youngest finalist in Kunstadt Open history (in 2014) and student

Jonathan Taylor, who was just 8 years old when he became the youngest Kunstadt Open player. Jonathan is returning this year – at 14 – along with other members of the Score Tennis Academy from Rideau Tennis Club, to reclaim the court.

With an entry fee of just $60 and the biggest pool of prize money of any Ottawa tennis tournament, the Kunstadt Open takes place August 5th to 9th, 2015 at the Glen Cairn Tennis Club.  Register online at

www.kunstadtopen.com

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“Our tournament is all about the community – the players and the spectators. It’s about bringing people together to share in a good time!”  said Kunstadt.  Whether you are

an avid tennis player or fan, the Kunstadt Open has made sure to have a little something for everyone,  including a free BBQ and live music on Saturday evening.

In addition to standard men and women’s categories, the Kunstadt Open is introducing a new youth-focused Red Ball Tournament which will be held on Saturday, August 8th.  Red Ball is progression tennis played with a lower, smaller net (18 feet wide and 2 feet tall) and red decompressed balls.  Spaces are limited so young tennis players interested in the Red Ball Tournament should contact Ron directly at

ron@kunstadt.com

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As they prepare for the first service of the 2015 Kunstadt Open, the team behind making it all come together is eager to watch the action play out and is already planning for the 20th Anniversary Spectacular. “We have a few surprises up our sleeves,” teased Kunstadt “Some returning players and a few treats along the way – you’ll have to stay tuned!”

For more information about the Kunstadt Open, contact:

Ron Kunstadt –

ron@kunstadt.com

Peter Kunstadt –

peter@kunstadt.com