USTA New England Makes Presence Felt at Infosys Hall of Fame Open

NEWPORT, RI - Maxime Cressy's first title, Lleyton Hewitt’s Hall of Fame Induction and USTA Member Day were just a few of the highlights from the 2022 Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport, RI. From July 10-17, some of the ATP’s brightest stars took to the grass to compete for the prestigious Van Alen Cup.

Wild cards, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andy Murray, and four-time Newport Champion, John Isner, headlined the field, however it was the 25-year-old Cressy who captured his first-ever ATP title after falling in his previous two finals appearances. Cressy defeated Isner in the semifinals on Saturday and Alexander Bublik, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) in Sunday’s final. 

Lleyton Hewitt, surrounded by some of tennis’ elite, was enshrined into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Saturday evening. The two-time Australian singles Grand Slam Champion was the lone inductee into the Class of 2021. Originally scheduled to be inducted last year but unable to attend due to pandemic travel restrictions, Hewitt’s ceremony was moved to this year’s event. 

USTA New England also hosted a number of events and ceremonies, highlighted by its annual Member Day on Tuesday. The excitement was high on Tuesday with a full afternoon of on-court action complemented by a packed slate off the court. Hundreds of members swarmed the grounds and stopped by the USTA New England booth for giveaways, an exclusive member gift and custom Polaroid keepsakes. Members were also treated to an exclusive Q&A with Todd Martin and Jack Sock and had the chance to meet Jiri Versly for photos and autographs. 

Between the second and third matches on Stadium Court, 37 of New England’s 2021 No. 1 ranked adult tournament players were honored in a ceremony. John Holschlag, Juana Luneau and Josh Podolsky were each recognized as the top player in two divisions, while New England Hall of Famer Dorcas Miller earned No. 1 rankings in Women’s 60s, 70s and 80s divisions. 

Immediately following the ceremony, USTA Rhode Island honored its 2021-22 NCAA Players of the Year. Rhode Island College rising senior, Jenna Lisi, earned her third consecutive Jill Craybas Award for top female, and Kenyon College rising sophomore, Eric Zhang, earned the Andy Chase Award for best male, in his first season. 

USTA New England also hosted a wheelchair clinic with local pros and an NJTL Community Day featuring the Connecticut youth organization, Progreso Latino as well as the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s own TeamFAME.

Connecticut’s Richard Ciamarra earned a wild card into this year’s doubles field and competed Wednesday alongside Grand Slam semifinalist, Sam Querry. The duo fell in the first round to the No. 3 seeded pair of Jackson Withrow and Nathaniel Lammons in Ciamarra’s first tournament on grass in six years. In May, Ciamarra won the NCAA National Doubles Championship for the University of Texas and hopes to continue playing pro tournaments. 

On Thursday, USTA New England awarded Ted Hoehn with the Gardner Ward Chase Memorial Award for lifetime achievement. Hoehn, a former NCAA and professional player who started the globally recognized Windridge Tennis & Sports Camps in Vermont, was presented his award on Stadium Court before the first match of the day. 

USTA New England had representation at the tournament all week long and continues to be a proud partner of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Infosys Hall of Fame Open. 

More resources below: 

USTA Member Day Photos (No. 1s, RI Awards & more)

Ted Hoehn Photos

Post-match video interview with Richard Ciamarra

Richard Ciamarra match photos