"Playing on home soil is always special" - Sloane Stephens to headline new WTA event in Texas next year

In 2022, the WTA Finals were held in Texas and despite a half-empty arena, tennis will return to Texas as a new event is set to be held in Austin.

The tournament will be called ATX Open and it will be held at the Westwood Country Club. First two players were already announced as Sloane Stephens and Danielle Collins should both compete at the tournament that will start on the 27th of February 2023.

"It is always exciting to participate in new tournaments that have big visions," said Stephens. "For me personally, Austin is a great city, and playing on home soil is always special.”

“We anticipated American players would welcome the opportunity to play on home soil, and these early commitments certainly validate that," said Christo Van Rensburg, director of event organizer DropShot Series Tournament.

Stephens experienced a resurgence of sorts in 2022, winning her first title in four years at the Guadalajara Open in February. Furthermore, she reached the quarterfinals at the French Open, moving her back into the Top 50 in the WTA rankings.