Tennis Hall of Fame Championships Unveil 2016 Field
GoLocalProv Sports Team
Tennis Hall of Fame Championships Unveil 2016 Field
The players include Marcos Baghdatis, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Ivo Karlovic, Steve Johnson and Rajeev Ram, the tournaments defending champion.
Additional players for the tournament are still to be named.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"There is a lot of variety in the player field for this year's tournament. I think it will be a great experience for fans to see some amazing young talent competing against some of the tour's more prolific veteran players like Marcos Baghdatis and Ivo Karlovic," said Tournament Director and Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin.
The tournament will be played July 10-17. Click here for more information.
The Players
Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus is currently ranked world No. 39 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. Always an exciting player to watch, Baghdatis has been a staple of the ATP World Tour since the early 2000s and he has been ranked within the top-100 in the year-end rankings for 11 straight years.
Rajeev Ram returns to Newport as defending champion, having defeated Ivo Karlovic in a close final last year, 7-6(7), 5-7, 7-6(2). It was Ram's second career title, as he also won the Newport title in 2009. Ram also won the Newport doubles title that year (w/ Jordan Kerr) - one of his eight career doubles titles.
Ivo Karlovic returns for a sixth appearance at the event, where he has seen great success in recent years. Karlovic was the runner up in 2015 and 2014, and in 2013 he was a quarterfinalist. Karlovic stands at 6'11" and is known for his powerful serve which has been clocked as high as 156 mph.
American Steve Johnson, who is the third-highest ranked American player and current world No. 34 returns to Newport for the fourth straight year. He was a quarterfinalist at the event in 2014. This season, Johnson has advanced to the third round at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and the Miami Open.
Thanasi Kokkinakis rounds out the recent commitments to the tournament and will make his Newport debut. Kokkinakis began actively competing on the ATP World Tour in 2014, closing that first season out inside the world top-150.
New Experience for Fans
At this year's tournament, fans will be able to enjoy new amenities such as a new south grandstand with flip down seating instead of benches. There will also be video boards in the stadium and Hawk-Eye replay.
The fan zone will be expanded and will feature a tennis demo court and new on-site dining options.
Hall of Fame Tennis Championships
Hosted on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships is the only ATP World Tour event played in the Northeast and the only pro tournament played on grass courts in North and South America.
25 Things to Look Forward to in New England This Summer
Sipping Del's Lemonade on a Hot Day
While you can probably find Del's Lemonade somewhere during any month of the year, drinking it in the winter is just not the same as when it is a hot day in the midst of summer.
As summer approaches, be sure to locate our nearest Del's Lemonade stand.
Waterfire
Providence, RI
Waterfire returns for the summer and it's an event and experience that must be had.
Waterfire is Providence's signature event bringing in people from all over New England and the country to see it.
A great night out for famillies and couples alike.
Visiting Southwick Zoo
Mendon, Ma
Can't wait to get back to the zoo and visit the animals at Southwick Zoo. Be sure to check out the new baby zebra that the zoo just welcomed.
The Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Click here for more information.
Taking a Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee aboard the M/S Mount Washington
New Hampshire
Lake Winnipesaukee offers some of the best scenery in all of New England and there is no better place to see it from then the M/S Mount Washington.
Click here for more information.
PHOTO: Lake Winnipesaukee travel guide
The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
Burlington, Vermont
The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival takes place from June 3 to June 12 in downtown Burlington, Vermont.
This 10 day celebration features four stages with free live music, local food and much more.
For more information, click here.
Walking Along Narragansett Beach
Narragansett, RI
Look forward to taking a stroll all the way from chair six to chair one as the waves crash along the shore.
Keep an eye out for sea glass as Narrow River or The Towers come into view.
Taking a Cruise on a Windjammer
Maine
Head to Maine and sleep aboard a National Landmark, the Maine Windjammer Fleet.
Go on a three, four or six day cruise and get closer than ever before to wildlife like whales, eagles and porpoises while you see some of the best coastal scenery that North America has to offer.
Click here for more information.
PVDFest
Providence, RI
After a successful first festival, the PVDFest returns to Providence for a second year and will take place from June 2-5.
The festival will bring in art, music, performances and more from all over the United States and world for the free outdoor festival.
Click here for more information.
Catching a Worcester Bravehearts Game
Worcester, Ma
The Worcester Bravehearts are te defending FCBL League Champions and will look to repeat this season with tons of new local talent on the roster.
The Bravehearts Schedule is located here.
Newport Folk Festival
Newport, RI
The Newport Folk Festival is set to be held from July 22-24 and will feature Norah Jones, who is also playing at th Jazz Festival.
Norah Jones kicks off her week in Newport by headlining the Newport Folk Festival. She will play the festival on the 23.
Visiting Cape Playhouse Theatre
Cape Cod
Taking a ride to Cape Cod and visit the oldest summer theatre in the country, Cape Playhouse. Cape Playhouse was first opened in 1927 by Raymond Moore.
The theatre has been home to some of the biggest stars to ever grace a stage like Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart amongst others.
Enjoying the South County Hot Air Balloon Fest
Kingston, RI
There is nothing quite like the Hot Air Ballon Fest. This is the place to enjoy glowing hot air balloons, crafts, music, food, fishing, carnival rides, fireworks, and more.
The festival will be held from July 22-24 on the URI athletic fields.
Click here for more information.
Participating in the Worcester World Cup 2016
Worcester, MA
The 2016 Wrocester World Cup is set to take place from Friday, August 10 to Sunday August 12.
The Worcester World Cup more than a soccer tournament. It's a celebration of Worcester and a safe, friendly family event that people look forward to all year.
Newport Jazz Festival
Newport, RI
After another big year last year, the Newport Jazz Festival is ready to go again this summer, with the headliner for this show also being Norah Jones.
Jones will play the Newport Jazz Festival on the 30th. This performance will come just a week after she plays the Newport Folk Festival.
The Jazz Fest will be held from July 29 - 31
Seeing a Movie at the Rustic Drive-In
North Smithfield
Look forwrd to Calling up your friends, pack a picnic, and sit in your car as feature films are projected along giant outdoor screens.
The audio plays right through your radio, so be sure to turn the volume up high as you snack on your candy and popcorn.
Zip Lining in the Berkshires
Looking for something new and exciting? Head to the Berkshires and get yourself on a zip line, maybe even do a canopy tour.
There are three different tour options, starting with the base area tour which lasts an hour or the Moutain Top or Valley Jump tour which takes three hours. Both of those are sure to shoot some adrenaline into your day.
Click here for more information
Watching 4th of July Fireworks
The 4th of July, the holiday of the summer.
It is never too early to start planning your day and figuring out exactly where you are going to watch fireworks this year.
Eating a Clam Cake From Flo’s
Portsmouth, Middletown
Be excited about heading to Flo's and taking a bite of a Flo’s clam cake and you’ll understand why they’ve been around since 1936.
Dip it in a side of tartar sauce or enjoy as is.
The Little League World Series
While the Little League World Series does not take place in New England, the series is arguably the marquee sporting event of the summer.
There will be a New England team in it this year and therefore, the Little League World Series is always something to look forward to.
Boston Calling
Boston, Ma
Boston Calling, the first New England music festival of the season kicks off in downtown Boston on the weekend of May 27 and 28. The festival features performances from Elle King, The Front Bottoms and Robyn.
Click here for more information
Vermont Summer Festival
Dorset, Vermont
The Vermont Summer Festival features horses, shopping at onsite boutiques and plenty of places for food and drinks.
The festival is set to be held from July 5 to August 14 at the Harold Beebe Farm.
Click here for more information.
Attending the CVS Health Charity Classic
Barrington, RI
The CVS Charity Classic is a staple sporting event of the summer in Rhode Island and all of New England. This year's field includes Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner and more, with more players to be announced.
The tournament is set to take place on Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28 at Rhode Island Country Club.
RI International Film Festival
The Rhode Island International Film Festival is set for August 9-14.
The Festival features the best local films made with some of the best local talent.
Click here for more information.
Catching a PawSox Game at McCoy
Pawtucket, RI
While the PawSox are already in action, the weather is getting warmer (again, we can only hope) and it will be much more comfortable to go out to a game.
Check here for their schedule.
Paul McCartney at Fenway Park
Paul McCartney, is coming to Fenway on July 17 for what may be his final visit.
There are not too many opportunities to see a Beatle perform live and this is one of those chances. Don't miss it.
