Next month’s Akron Guadalajara Open is set to host some of the world’s top female tennis players, despite losing its status as a highest-tier World Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 tournament.
The tournament, to be held from September 9 to 15 at the Pan American Tennis Center, is now classified as a “500 event,” offering fewer world-ranking points and less prize money.
After successfully hosting the prestigious 2021 WTA Finals in Guadalajara, the tournament organizers were granted a 1000-level event for two consecutive years due to the suspension of all WTA tournaments in China. However, this year, the event has been downgraded as the Wuhan Open returns to the WTA tour in October.
According to the Guadalajara Open website, many top 30 players have already confirmed their participation, though last-minute dropouts are anticipated, given the tournament’s proximity to the U.S. Open (August 26-September 8).
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