Lisa Sutherland bridges top-tier tennis with community inclusion at Wichita Tennis Open

Sutherland said she’s always wanted the tournament to be a vehicle for tennis-related community activities and to get people excited about tennis. She and her team embrace new ideas in an effort to increase the event’s visibility and attendance.

For example, the Wichita Tennis Open has welcomed high school players during evening matches, showcased national wheelchair tennis champions and hosted fashion shows to help drive attendance and participation from the community.

“I love to get people out to the WSU tennis complex to enjoy an evening of first-class competition and entertainment,” Sutherland said.

Repeat Success

While these innovative ideas have certainly helped build the tournament’s reputation with players, officials and fans, Sutherland continues to honor the longtime supporters who have helped make the tournament what it is today.

“We see repeat players coming back to play, and our supporters grow each year,” she said. “Last year was our 10-year anniversary, and we celebrated with parties and recognized the sponsors who have been with us since 2015.”

One long-standing supporter is Jaren Glaser, USTA Missouri Valley manager of diversity, equity and inclusion. Sutherland works closely with Glaser to ensure the Kids’ Day event is fun and inclusive for all in attendance. Participants practice tennis drills, meet and watch the professional players and learn how to join local clubs to continue their tennis journeys.

“I love to see them come out and see a real match,” Sutherland said. “Many have never watched tennis live, and they get absorbed in the points, not wanting to leave. Also, we get some local players and club coaches that play in the tournament, which brings out a great crowd to watch them and support their hometown athletes.”

Gathering the Talent

Sutherland helps in the process of bringing rising tennis stars to Wichita each year. Some of these players have gone on to enjoy success on the ATP and WTA tours.

“Each year I look forward to seeing who will play here,” she said. “We’ve had some great players who are or have gone on to become the top-ranked players in the world. Cameron Norrie won here in 2016. Reilly Opelka, Christian Harrison, Peyton Stearns, McCartney Kessler, Ethan Quinn, Tennys Sandgren and Bernard Tomic have all played in Wichita. You are seeing tennis stars playing on our courts.”

Outside of her role with the Wichita Tennis Open, Sutherland loves spending ample time on the courts with her league teammates and friends, spreading the word about the benefits of tennis.

“I do enjoy playing tennis and play on a ladies 4.0 team, and credit the sport with keeping fit and enjoying the friendships that come with it,” she said. “I do believe in keeping tennis relevant in an age where it’s easier to engage in social media than run with a racquet.”

Check out more feature stories from across the USTA Missouri Valley celebrating Women’s History Month in March by clicking here. Learn more about the Wichita Tennis Open by clicking here.