Lee-on-Solent Open explained

Lee-on-Solent Open
Type:defunct
Event Name:Lee-on-Solent Open (1921-70)
Mercedes Benz Lee-on-Solent Open (1971-1973)
Lee-on-Solent Open (1974–82)
ATP Challenger Lee-on-Solent (1982–84, 98, 2000) (men)
ITF Lee-on-Solent Tournament (1982–97) (women)
Tour:ILTF World Circuit
ILTF Independent Circuit
ATP Challenger Tour
Location:Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, England
Venue:Lee-on-Solent Lawn Tennis and Squash Club
Surface:Clay (1921-84)
Hard (1997-2000)

The Lee-on-Solent Open was a clay court then later hard court tennis event founded in 1921.[1] It was held at the Lee-on-Solent Lawn Tennis and Squash Club (f.1911),[2] Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, England through until 2000 when it was abolished.

History

The Lee-on-Solent Open tournament was first inaugurated in 1921 and was played continually through to 1938.[3] In 1939 the tournament was cancelled.[4] Following World War II the tournament resumed in 1946. In 1971 the tournament secured sponsorship from the German car maker Mercedes-Benz and for the next three years was known as the Mercedes Benz Lee-on-Solent Open until 1974.

In 1982 the tournament ceased to be part of the senior worldwide tour,[5] and both the men's and women's events were downgraded. The men's event became part of ATP Challenger Tour known as the Lee-On-Solent Challenger (1982–1984, 1998, 2000).[6] The women's tournament became part of the ITF Circuit known as the ITF Lee-On-Solent Tournament (1982–1997).[7]

From 1921 through until 1984 the surface was always clay courts. From 1997 until 2000 it switched to hard courts.

Event names

Notes and References

  1. News: . Lee-on-the-Solent: Lawn Tennis Tournament: The fourth annual open tournament was to have commenced yesterday, but owing to the heavy rain play was postponed until to-day.. Portsmouth Evening News . 25 August 1925. Portsmouth, Hampshire, England . 7.
  2. Web site: About . LOST Club . Lee on the Solent Tennis, Squash & Fitness Club . 6 December 2022 . en . 2022.
  3. News: The Lee-on-Solent Tennis Club's 17th annual open tournament began yesterday on the club's seven hard courts.. Portsmouth Evening News . 24 August 1938. Portsmouth, Hampshire, England . 7.
  4. News: The Lee-on-Solent Tournament Cancelled: The Lee-on-Solent Tennis Club's annual open tournament, which was to have been held next week has been cancelled.. Portsmouth Evening News . 26 August 1939. Portsmouth, Hampshire, England . 7.
  5. Web site: Nieuwland . Alex . Tournament – Lee-on-Solent . www.tennisarchives.com . Tennis Archives.
  6. Web site: Lee-On-Solent: Overview . atptour.com . ATP Tour . 6 December 2022.
  7. Web site: $10,000 LEE-ON-SOLENT . www.itftennis.com . ITF . 6 December 2022.