The Cranbrook Tennis Classic will return this year and run from June 30-July 7 at the Cranbrook Educational Community in Bloomfield Hills.
The Classic will feature pro men’s tennis veterans, who will battle against future stars for coveted ranking points and a wildcard to the U.S. Open.
Run by nonprofit 501(c)(3) Tennis Forward, founded by David DeMuth, all proceeds go to the Palmer Park Tennis Academy in Detroit and Cranbrook Athletics.
“The Cranbrook Tennis Classic not only showcases incredible tennis talent, but also supports a great cause. It’s a true testament to the power of sports to bring communities together,” says David DeMuth, CEO of Doner, a full-service advertising agency in Southfield, and founder of Tennis Forward.
“As a proud partner of Tennis Forward, the team behind the Cranbrook Tennis Classic is committed to supporting initiatives that promote sportsmanship, skill development, and community engagement through tennis. This year, we’re looking forward to bringing back an even bigger, better version of the event, with involvement from Celebrity Match, Kid’s Clinic, and VIP Clinic.”
DeMuth partnered with his son, Alex, associate strategy director at Doner, to launch the latest iteration of the annual ATP Challenger Tour event.
Last year, the event drew 37 sponsors, from local businesses to global brands, and generated $25,000 in donations for Palmer Park Tennis Academy and Cranbrook Athletics through Tennis Forward. It also marked the first time professional tennis had been played in the area in more than 25 years.
This year’s sponsors include J.P. Morgan Chase, Burns & Wilcox, Core Power, Feldman Automotive Group, Ven Johnson Law, and more. The event is a new stop for the ATP Challenger Tour and USTA Pro Circuit, bringing in 3,000 fans to the court and more than 215,000 livestream viewers.
“The Palmer Park Tennis Academy is so grateful for the financial support provided by the Cranbrook Tennis Classic for our programs,” says Leonora (Coach Lee) King, tennis director at the Palmer Park Tennis Academy. “The opportunity for our kids and families to experience world-class tennis up close was truly inspiring. We can’t wait to go back this year.”
With more than 60 players from 16 countries, the tournament has been voted the No. 2 ATP Challenger tournament by the players.
“We are excited to welcome the international tennis community back to our beautiful Cranbrook campus for year two of the Cranbrook Tennis Classic,” says Aimeclaire Roche, president of Cranbrook Educational Community. “Thank you to the Tennis Forward team for raising funds for our athletics program and enticing visitors to experience world-class sports, art and science exhibits, and the natural beauty of our historic community.”
For more information, visit cranbrooktennisclassic.com/.
To view a short video of the Classic, visit here.
