WTA Memphis Classic set to make a return to tennis calendar for first time since 2013 after multimillion-dollar renovations

There has been change on the WTA calendar in 2026. This will see the return of the Memphis Classic, held in Tennessee, USA, as the tournament returns after an almost 15-year absence. 

The tournament will take place from July 25-August 2 at the Leftwich Tennis Center. It is a WTA 250 event played on outdoor hardcourts with 32 players set to be entered in the singles draw and 16 in the doubles. It has been called into action with the tournament in Cleveland not going ahead as planned - originally at the end of August.

It will be a good stepping stone for players who have just competed in the grass swing and want to ramp up preparations for the North American hardcourt swing with the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open shortly following with the US Open also in sight at that time in the year.

All the investment has finally paid off over the years, with the tournament set to be staying around for a while with the Mayor confirming that it is a multi year deal. "This is a major win for our city," Memphis Mayor Paul Young said at a press conference. "It reflects the investment that we've made in Leftwich Tennis Center, the first-of-its-class facility, one that our residents deserve. When we invest in our assets, we know that opportunities follow."

These multimillion-dollar renovations meant that it was not reopened until as recently as 2023. Mainly used for the University of Memphis' tennis teams, it has also hosted events like the American Conference tennis championship with outdoor and indoor courts both on standby.

National sponsorship has already been confirmed with the city relishing the chance to get themselves in the spotlight as the tennis circus comes to town. "That competition will be broadcast around the country, around the world," Memphis Classic tournament director Kyle Ross said. "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."

It has been a while since WTA tennis has been played at the facilities. The last event held was back in 2017 on the ATP Tour with WTA action not being hosted since 2013.

Formerly named the U.S. National Indoor Championships, it moved from Oklahoma to Memphis in 2003 when the tournament was hosted in February. Lisa Raymond kicked it off in style by winning back-to-back titles in Memphis. Former world number two Vera Zvonareva followed in suit, winning in 2004 and 2005. 

Sofia Arvidsson won the first of two WTA titles in 2006 before Venus Williams won a third title in this competition the following year. Lindsay Davenport doubled her tally in 2008 before more star-studded players got their hands on the title in the form of Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova. Magdalena Rybarikova took home the spoils in 2011 before Arvidsson clinched her second WTA title at the same place the next year. The last one to date was won by Marina Erakovic in a final which hosted only seven games.