The USTA Pro Circuit Challengers in Hawaii have played a significant role in providing a platform for our American players to break through the top 100 and serve as the gateway towards Grand Slam event success. Andy Roddick, James Blake, Robby Ginepri and Dimitry Tursonov had the most success after winning singles titles at the Waikoloa Challenger on the Big Island. Roddick, Blake and Ginepri were members of the Davis Cup soon after their victories and joined the Bryan Brothers, Bob and Mike, in numerous world team events. Part of the great tradition, the Honolulu Challenger has become an important tournament leg for players returning to the mainland after competing in the Australian Open.
Michael Russell and Ryan Harrison have been the most recent champions, 2010 and 2011 respectively, since moving the event to Oahu. Donald Young competed in 2010, giving us a glimpse of his struggle to rebound and before his tremendous performance at 2011 US Open in the quarterfinals. The event is currently supported and organized by the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section.
Other players that have competed in Hawaii’s Challenger events include Michael Chang, Paradorn Srichaphan, David Nalbandian, Taylor Dent, Paul Goldstein, Vince Spadea, Robert Kendrik and Jan-Michael Gambill.
Singles
Year Champion Runner-up Score
2000 Paul Goldstein Andre Sa 7-5, 6-2
2001 Andy Roddick James Blake 1-6, 6-3, 6-1
2002 James Blake Martin Verkerk 6-2, 6-3
2003 Robby Ginepri Neville Godwin 6-3, 6-3
2004 Dimitry Tursunov Alejandro Falla 7-5, 7-6
2005 Paul Goldstein Cecil Mamiit 6-2, 6-2
2006 Frank Dancevic Yen-Hsun Lu 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
2007 Michael Russell Jamie Baker 6-1, 7-5
2008 Yen-Hsun Lu Vince Spadea 6-2, 6-0
2010 Michael Russell Grega Zemlja 6-3, 6-0
2011 Ryan Harrison Alex Kuznetsov 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
2012 Go Soeda Robby Ginepri 6-3, 7-6 (5)
ABOUT THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT:
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 33 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Mardy Fish, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake, Li Na and Andy Murray are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.
ABOUT THE USTA HAWAII PACIFIC SECTION
The USTA Hawaii Pacific Section is one of the 17 geographic sections within the USTA organizations. Incorporated in 1997, the Hawaii Pacific Section embraces over 7,800 individual members and 109 organizational members in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and Saipan. In addition, the Hawaii Pacific Section is further subdivided into five districts: Kauai, Oahu, Maui, East Hawaii & West Hawaii.
The Hawaii Pacific Section is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to carrying out the goals of the national association within its region, particularly with respect to promoting tennis opportunities for juniors and adults of all abilities and all cultural backgrounds. By evaluating and establishing goals, policies and objectives the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section Board of Directors provides the road map from which the professional staff, headed by the executive director, and other volunteers follow to achieve the mission – To promote and develop the growth of tennis.