Pictured, left to right, Jessica Moore (WVU Medicine Community Relations), Dr. Ronald Sismondo (WVU Orthopedic Surgeon), Ned George (WOTC Sponsorship Chair) and Debbie Pickens (WVO Tournament Director) met to formalize a partnership between the Wheeling Oglebay Tennis Club and WVU Medicine. As a result of the generous sponsorship provided by WVU Medicine, the tournament will now be titled the WVU Medicine West Virginia Open; the event will be played from July 31 to August 3, 2025, at the Oglebay Park Resort/Horne Family Racquet Center.

The Wheeling Oglebay Tennis Club is pleased to announce WVU Medicine as the 2025 title sponsor for the West Virginia Open.

The WVU Medicine West Virginia Open, a level 4 national tennis tournament, will be held at the Horne Family Racquet Center/Oglebay Park Resort and the Wheeling Park

Facilities from July 31 to August 3.

Jessica Moore, Associate Vice President/Foundation & Community Relations for WVU Medicine stated, “WVU Medicine and the West Virginia Open both encourage physical fitness and community engagement, so we are proud to partner to support this event, the athletes and their wellness. This partnership not only celebrates the spirit of athleticism but also highlights the importance of healthy living, injury prevention and sports medicine.”

Top finishers in the open divisions will be awarded prize money totaling $5000.

WVU Medicine has generously provided the $5000 in prize money that will be awarded in Men’s and Women’s Open Singles, Men’s and Women’s Open Doubles, and Mixed Open Doubles. The amount given in each division is based on the number in the draw.

In addition to the open events, the tournament will offer divisions for players who participate as part of the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP); this is an ability-based system of determining categories. Available divisions are Men’s 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 Singles; Men’s 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 Combination Doubles; Women’s 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 Combination Doubles; and Mixed 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 Combination Doubles. A doubles combination event adds the NTRP of each player together, and the total cannot exceed the combination rating level.

Tournament Director Debbie Pickens believes, “It is great that WVU Medicine has partnered with the WOTC, and we will now be presenting the WVU Medicine West Virginia Open. The financial assistance will help our non-profit organization to offer this competitive national tournament, grow this event, and stress the importance of tennis as an opportunity to improve health and fitness.”

Past tournaments have drawn from 100 to 140 players. The majority are from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, but others have travelled much farther to compete for the prize money and recognition.

Finals of the Open Divisions will be played on Sunday, August 3, beginning at 11 am.

During the opening ceremony, WVU Medicine as well as other sponsors will be recognized. The WOTC will announce the 2025 recipient of the Hall of Fame award. Also this year, members of the WOTC who have received Sectional Honors will be announced.

The tournament is one of the major events that the WOTC presents to raise funds for its youth and adult programs. Youth events offered by the WOTC include an Elementary Play Day, Spring and Fall Millie Mulhern Youth Tennis, the OVAC Kick-off, Summer Camps at Oglebay, and Fall and Winter Match Play. Adult events include Round Robins, Socials, Summer Camp at Oglebay, and a Member Tournament. For additional information on any of the WOTC programs, go to the club website, wotennisclub.weebly.com.

Tennis enthusiasts should mark their calendars to come watch the highly talented players in the open divisions as well as local competitors in their NTRP divisions.