Behind The Banner - May 2021 by VisitDallas

DALLAS ADDS ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENT By Stephen Evans

Dallas’ reputation as a showcase for international sports continues to grow after the ATP Tour announced this month that it is bringing an ATP 250 event to the city beginning in 2022. The ATP 250 will add the Dallas Open to its lineup starting next year. The event will be held at the world-class Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex at SMU. The ATP Tour has had a strong connection to Dallas as T Bar M Racquet Club has hosted a Challenger Tour event since 1998, the RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas (formerly known as Challenger of Dallas). With the new ATP 250 event, the ATP continues to see Dallas as a key

element in engaging the American professional tennis fanbase while also growing the sport and building up the next generation of players. The ATP 250 is the only indoor tour-level tennis event in the United States. The tournament, which will be played from February 6-13, 2022, and will be televised worldwide to more than 100 countries, will feature more than 60 world-class ATP Tour professionals. “This is very big for Dallas, and we believe it’s very big for the sport of professional tennis,” said Monica Paul,

John Isner, ATP Pro, Peter Lebedevs, Tournament Director, Monica Paul, Executive Director, DSC, Rick Hart, Athletic Director, SMU, Dirk Nowitzki

We could not be more excited about bringing another international competition to Dallas, especially one that is also making such a strong commitment to becoming an outstanding community partner. - Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission Kevin Anderson, ATP Pro

BEHIND THE BANNER MAY 2021 EDITION

Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission. “This event gives us an opportunity to once again bring international attention to Dallas and will allow us to feature the state-of-the-art tennis facilities at SMU. We could not be more excited about bringing another international competition to Dallas, especially one that is also making such a strong commitment to becoming an outstanding community partner.” The event, which was relocated from New York, is expected to attract some of the top players in the world. Previous former champions of the event include tennis legends John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Michael Chang, Andy Murray, and Kei Nishikori. In addition to entertainment programming and unique experiential opportunities throughout the tournament, the Dallas Open is committed to the local community and will be involved year-round with the Dallas corporate partners to engage in community initiatives and events. “The Dallas Open will shine a global spotlight on the city and be much more than a one-week tennis tournament” said Peter Lebedevs, Tournament Director of the Dallas Open. “In addition to entertainment programming and unique experiential opportunities throughout the tournament, our partnership with SMU and commitment to the community will be year-round and include business, community, tennis initiatives and events.” The event’s charity partner is the Isner Family Foundation, which is headed by ATP pro and Dallas native John Isner. The Isner Family Foundation provides financial support for qualified families to obtain

necessities, such as meals, clothing, transportation, convenient lodging, car seats and medical supplies, while their children are under the care of Children’s Health, one of the largest and most prestigious pediatric health care providers in the country and the leading pediatric health care system in North Texas. “I am excited to have an ATP Tour event in my home city and to show off Dallas to the other players on the tour,” said Isner, a former Top 10 player who is currently ranked No. 34 in the world. “The Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex is a premier venue, and the players are really going to enjoy playing there in front of a knowledgeable tennis crowd. I am also proud to have the Isner Family Foundation be one of the non-profit partners for the Dallas Open, and I’m looking forward to the positive impact the event will have on the local community.” The announcement of the new Dallas event even attracted one of the region’s legendary sports stars – Dirk Nowitzki. The former Mav grew up playing the game and has recently picked it back up since his retirement. “I’m excited to have the Dallas Open come here to Dallas,” said Nowitzki. “It has special meaning to me. Tennis was my first sport and I started playing when I was 4 or 5 years old. It’s a great sport. Can’t wait to watch the big boys play from the front row ... if I can get a front row seat.” The waitlist for Dallas Open premium hospitality and tickets is now live. Fans can visit www.dallasopen.com to join the priority waitlist, and follow the event on social media @DALOpenTennis for all future updates.

Renders of the Dallas Open Layout at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex at SMU

q&a with dallas wings’

charli collier looking forward to getting the season going and joining my new teammates and coaching staff here in Dallas.” What are your thoughts on playing in your home state? “I’m Texas Born and raised. I went to high school in Texas, college in Texas, and now professional in Texas, so being close to my family means the world to me. Being able to represent the state of Texas throughout my career has been amazing and something I am very proud of.” It is an amazing accomplishment to be drafted number one overall – to whom do you owe your work ethic to?

Welcome to Dallas. The fans are so happy to have you here. Can you describe what your thoughts were when the Wings officially drafted you as the number one pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft? “Amazing feeling! The night was special to spend it with my family and friends. It was a quick turnaround from draft night to being in Dallas for training camp. I am BEHIND THE BANNER MAY 2021 EDITION

“I owe it all to my parents; both mom and dad. They taught me basketball starting at an early age - all parts of basketball; how to play, how to compete and how to be successful at all levels.” You had an impressive rookie debut with 11 points and 10 rebounds in your season opener against the Sparks. What was your initial impressions of your first professional game and what were the differences from college?

“I was excited the whole day. I was anxious as the game started but once I got the jitters out of the way, I relaxed. I remember watching the Ogwumike’s on TV growing up so it was amazing to be on the same court as them competing in a professional game. They are also from the Houston area. The difference from college is really the speed of the game and the IQ. WNBA players are smarter and more experienced.”

“My role models are my parents. Both my mother and father have taught me my strong work ethic, and each have provided different pieces that make me who I am today.”

What will be the biggest adjustments you’ll have to make now from college to the pros? “The biggest adjustment is competing on the next level with veterans, those that have played many years and have the knowledge and understanding of the professional game. It’s all about soaking it all in and learning from veterans and coaches on how to grow as a player and teammate.” How helpful will it be to play under Coach Vickie Johnson, who was a WNBA player herself? “It’s already very helpful. She has a lot of experience as a player in the WNBA and overseas. Coach VJ is an explayer who experienced what we do every day so I feel she is teaching me and will be able to teach me more of what I need to be able to succeed now and in the future.” Do you have any pregame superstitions? “I don’t have any superstitions, but every pregame I listen to Christian music to get myself in the right zone, as well as mentally prepare for the opponent on the court and what it will take for me to compete against them.” You grew up in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas – but how well do you know Dallas? Have you had any time to explore your new city? “I’m still pretty new to Dallas. I’ve been busy with training camp and the start of the season but what I see so far, I really enjoy and can’t wait to explore to see what this city has to offer.” We are wondering if you’re a Rockets fan, or do you have love for the Mavericks? We did see Luka welcomed you to Dallas on Twitter! “I’ll give love to Luka and all of the Dallas sports teams, but I am actually a Kevin Durant fan. We both went to Texas so us Longhorns, we stick together.” Who are your role models? Where do you get your strong work ethic from?

How and where can people follow you on social media? “My IG and my Twitter are both @charlicollier, and my Tik Tok is similar - charlicollier What should Wings and basketball fans in general look forward to seeing with your team? “Fans can look forward to us being competitive on both ends of the court; defensively & offensively. Offense wins games, defense wins championships. All in all, we are going to have fun and be able to compete at the highest level. Fans will be excited to see this year’s team on many levels!”

THE PROS AT HOME IN JUNE SUN

MON

TUE 1

7:00 PM

WED 2

THU 3

1:35 PM

3:05 PM

VS. TB 13

VS. SF 14

1:35 PM

VS. MINN 27

1:35 PM

7:05 PM

VS. OAK 28

VS. OAK 29

VS. KC

BEHIND THE BANNER MAY 2021 EDITION

3:05 PM

VS. TB 12

VS. SF 16

7:05 PM

7:00 PM

VS. MINN 20

S AT

VS. LA 6

FRI

7:05 PM

VS. OAK 30

7:00 PM

1:05 PM

VS. OAK

7:05 PM

VS. MINN 25

7:05 PM

VS. KC 29

VS. CHI *Additional Mavericks home games possible if they advance in the 2021 NBA Playoffs

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