Pro tennis returns to Morgan Run in Rancho Santa Fe with $25,000 women’s tournament

The Fresh Start Women’s Open returns to Morgan Run Club + Resort from Feb. 22-March 1, and is the only women’s professional tennis event to be played in Southern California this year.

As host to more than 100 women over a period of eight days, this event reaches the community in many ways. The tournament benefits Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, a Carlsbad-based, charitable organization. Fresh Start transforms the lives of disadvantaged infants, children, and teens with physical deformities caused by birth defects, accidents, abuse, or disease through the gift of reconstructive surgery and related health care services.

The Fresh Start Women’s Open celebrates its fifth anniversary that week, beginning with qualifying matches on Sunday and Monday, followed by the start of the main draw on Tuesday. For those players who make it to the weekend, the tournament concludes with the doubles final and both singles semifinals on “Super Saturday” and the crowning of the singles champion on Sunday.

In addition to competing against each other on the court, many of the women give back to the community through their participation in a Pro-Am, Sponsor Reception, and Kid’s Day events which take place throughout the week.

The FSWO has been a launching point for several players who have gone on to great things in the tennis world, sometimes shortly after playing in Rancho Santa Fe. Among the tournament’s past champions is # 46 ranked Madison Brengle, who reached the Round of 16 at the Australian Open and #119 ranked Michelle Larcher de Brito who reached the Round of 32 at Wimbledon and the French Open. Other top 100 and past FSWO participants include Madison Keys (#20), Rancho Santa Fe resident Coco Vandeweghe (#32), Christina McHale (#52), Lauren Davis (#55), and Nicole Gibbs (#87).

To learn more about the FSWO, visit https://www.facebook.com/morganrunprocircuit or contact tournament director Patrick Guion at patrick.guion@ourclub.com.