Willie Dann is Colorado’s tennis version of Clark Kent.
The 35-year-old spends most of his days toiling day-to-day as the owner of a mortgage company. When the summer months hit, however, the suits and ties fall farther back in the closet in favor of shorts and tennis shoes.
“Tennis is just fun for me,” said Dann, who enters the 91st version of the Denver City Open as the No. 2 seed in the men’s open division.
The tournament begins Saturday at the Denver Tennis Club and ends June 24 with a day of championships.
Dann, who will play this weekend in Grand Junction at the Elam Classic, had a kick start to his season at April’s Italia Cup in Antalya, Turkey. A two-week, Davis Cup-style format, involving 23 countries, gave Dann all sorts of court time.
Now a member at the Denver Tennis Club, Dann would like nothing more than to bring a title back to the members he hits with on a routine basis.
“This tournament means a lot to me, especially now that I’m around the club so much more and have gotten to know the members so well,” said Dann, who lost in the finals last year to Bart Scott.
The competition will be somewhat familiar to Dann in his quest for a title, including 2004 champion Cory Ross. Ross earned the top seed, and former Cherry Creek High School standout Mark Boren is the No. 3.
“I just need to train harder, because the competition always seems to get younger,” Dann said. “And I’m not getting any younger.”
Rounding out the top seeds are Windsor’s Dennis Fulgenzi at No. 4 and No. 5 Paul Koenke.
Defending Colorado State Open champion Yana Ruegsegger is the top seed for the women and will likely have to go through a Knop or two this week.
Colorado Springs sisters Tiffany (No. 2) and Tabatha (No. 4) Knop are always in the mix. Susan Wright is the No. 3 seed, and Vicki Leroux is the fifth seed.
Staff writer Jon. E Yunt can be reached at 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
Glance
When: Saturday through June 24
Where: Denver Tennis Club, 400 E. Forest St.
Men’s Open singles
Semifinals: June 23, 9 a.m.
Championship: June 24, 9 a.m.
Women’s Open singles
Semifinals: June 23, 9:30 a.m.
Championship: June 24, to follow men’s final
Defending champions
Men: Bart Scott
Women: Rhona Kaczmarczyk
