2000 Hilton 5th U.S. OPEN
Racquetball Championships
November 15-19

The Racquet Club of Memphis
5111 Sanderlin Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee

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Memphis to Host Hilton 5th U.S. OPEN

The city of Memphis will again host the U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships, with Hilton coming on board as the new title sponsor of the largest and most prestigious racquetball tournament in the world. The event will be held at The Racquet Club of Memphis for the fifth-consecutive year, beginning Wednesday, November 15 and running through Sunday, November 19. Presented by the United States Racquetball Association, the event is racquetball's premier "Grand Slam" tourney.

All of the top players in the world have committed to return for this year's ESPN2-televised event. Among those making the trip to Memphis will be defending-champions Jason Mannino (San Diego, Calif.) and Jackie Paraiso (El Cajon, Calif.), 2000 World Champion Cheryl Gudinas (Lisle, Ill.) and World Silver Medalist Christie Van Hees (Canada).

Three athletes hope to make U.S. OPEN history this year, as Paraiso, Sudsy Monchik (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Cliff Swain (Boston, Mass.) attempt to become the first player in the tournament's history to win three titles. Monchik fell short of his quest for three-straight titles at last year's championships when he was upset in the semifinals by Mannino, who also went on to end Swain's hope of three in their final. If Paraiso manages to grab this year's women's title, she will become not only the first player to win three, but will have earned them in consecutive years.

Several top collegiate players from the University of Memphis will participate in the event, including Men's Doubles World Champion Javier Moreno. Memphis racquetball legend Andy Roberts (Collierville, Tenn.) will also play in his fifth U.S. OPEN.

"Memphis has the finest facilities in the country," said Roberts, who won the U.S. National Doubles Championships with Adam Karp (Stockton, Calif.) in early October. "The local host sites enable the promoters to create an atmosphere that no other site could produce. We have very special people in the business who are willing to make the financial contributions to make this event happen."

With the additional help of co-sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Wilsonart, Kroger, Nabisco, Argenbright Security Inc., Coors Light and Hollywood Casinos, the Hilton U.S. OPEN has put up a prize money purse of more than $45,000, the largest in both the men's International Racquetball Tour (IRT) and the Lady's Professional Racquetball Association (LPRA).

Perhaps the most innovative sports advancement in recent years, the world's first truly "made-for-TV" portable stadium racquetball court will be in full service. The court was designed and built by The Court Company of Memphis [owned by 1974 National Intercollegiate Singles Champion Randy Stafford (University of Tennessee)]. All professional matches from the quarterfinals on will be played on the portable court, with a seating capacity of over 1,100.

Along with the professionals, 550 amateurs will compete for skill and age titles for all levels. Competition will be divided among three venues, The Racquet Club of Memphis, Wimbleton Sportsplex and the University of Memphis. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800/678-5396.