Guadalajara will reinforce its reputation as a major hub of the women’s professional tennis circuit by hosting the second GDL Akron Open WTA 1000 from September 17 to 23.

Apart from the four Grand Slams, there are only ten 1000 events on WTA’s annual calendar. They draw the world’s top-ranked female players, and offer the biggest pay checks to participants.

Following on from last year’s successful tournament at the Pan-American Tennis Complex in Zapopan, the 2023 edition will see some significant changes to improve the experience for visitors, Gustavo Santoscoy, director of the GDL Open, said this week.

Chief among these will be tickets that can be used for both morning and evening sessions. Also on sale will be combined tickets that allow attendance at an evening session and the subsequent one the following morning.

Selected parts of the main grandstand, which seats 7,500 spectators, will be covered this year to prove shelter from the sun; and extra space will be found to house the food and drink concessions closer to the stadium court. Improvements are also to be done to ease access to the complex.

The tournament will be the first major women’s tennis event after the U.S. Open, and the penultimate 1000 tournament of the year. Last year’s champion, Jessica Peluga of the United States, currently ranked second in the world rankings, has said she is eager to return to Guadalajara in September to defend her title.