OKTF Pro Series brings world-class tennis to Oklahoma courts

The Oklahoma Tennis Foundation’s Pro Series has quickly become one of the most exciting developments in the state’s tennis scene—a collection of world-class events bringing top talent, unforgettable experiences and a whole new level of energy to Oklahoma courts.

We sat down with Bill Towler, the visionary behind the series, to learn how it all began, what makes these tournaments special and where the future is headed.

From Idea to Movement

“In early 2023, I thought it would be interesting for us to host a non-sanctioned pro tournament in the fall,” Towler said. “It would give the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation a chance to create awareness for our brand, reach out to the tennis community and—most importantly—have some fun.”

After researching other events and consulting college coaches, Towler launched the first OKTF $25K Invitational in October 2023 at Edmond Center Court. The event combined high-level tennis with a vibrant atmosphere, complete with a shrimp boil, live band and Calcutta auction on opening night.

“The World TeamTennis format worked fantastic,” Towler said. “It’s very fan-friendly and loads of fun.”

Following the invitational’s success, the OKTF Pro Series was born in 2024. It combined the OKTF $25K Invitational, the OKTF W75 Edmond Open and the Norman Open into one exciting statewide lineup.

Mark Your Calendars

This year, the OKTF Pro Series returns bigger than ever, bringing top-tier tennis to three major events across USTA Oklahoma.

• OKTF Invitational: Oct. 3-4 at Edmond Center Court

• OKTF Edmond Open W100: Oct. 6-12 at Edmond Center Court

• OKTF Norman Open: Oct. 20-26 at the University of Oklahoma

The Invitational: Competition Meets Celebration

The OKTF Invitational has quickly become the second-largest non-sanctioned professional tennis tournament in the U.S. Its unique structure—a World TeamTennis format featuring squads of four players (two men, two women)—makes for fast-paced, exciting matches.

“One of the unique elements of this event is that it’s non-sanctioned. So, for lack of a better term, we can do what we want,” Towler said.

Opening night on Friday, Oct. 3 kicks off with the Racquet & Roll Celebration featuring a live band, dinner, Calcutta auction and the first round of play. On Saturday, Oct. 4, there is an adaptive tennis clinic in the morning, a kids’ clinic before the finals and plenty of opportunities to interact with players.

“It’s just a special experience for our fans, players, officials and volunteers,” Towler said.

The Edmond Open W100: A Global Stage in Oklahoma

Few realize the level of talent coming to Edmond for the OKTF Edmond Open W100 on Oct. 6-12.

“There were only four W100 events in the U.S. last year out of 27 worldwide,” Towler said. “Fans will see players ranked anywhere from the top 60 to around 250 in the world. Most of these players have competed in majors and are just a narrow margin away from breaking into the top 50.”

Last year’s event featured Victoria Mboko, who is now ranked No. 24 in the world, a sign of the elite talent these tournaments attract.

Players, coaches and their teams come in from all over the world. And through broadcast partnerships, fans globally can stream every match live. Locally, tennis lovers can watch world-class competition up close and personal at Edmond Center Court.

The Norman Open: A Fan Favorite Grows

The OKTF Norman Open, scheduled for Oct. 20-26, continues to grow in prestige and popularity. The event actually includes two separate pro tournaments (an M25 and a W35) running simultaneously at the University of Oklahoma.

“Dawna Johnston and her team at OU have turned the Norman Open into one of the feature stops on the Pro Circuit,” Towler said.

The tournament has welcomed some incredible names over the years, including Danielle Collins, Bianca Andreescu, Sofia Kenin and Learner Tien. This year, the event will be even more special thanks to a $7.2 million renovation of OU’s tennis facilities, offering fans and players an enhanced, first-class experience.

Looking Ahead, Building for the Future

Towler has big hopes for the OKTF Pro Series moving forward.

“My hope is that this isn’t just a showcase of tournaments but a model others can adopt around the country to host Pro Circuit events,” he said. “Ultimately, I’d love for us to host an ATP or WTA event one day.”

Beyond growing the game at a professional level, Towler believes these events inspire the entire Oklahoma tennis community.

“These events give young and old players the chance to come see some of the best tennis in the world right here in Oklahoma,” he said. “We hope it motivates people to get on the court, play tennis and give back to the community.”

View more about the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation’s Pro Series by clicking here.