Driving by 100 S. Adams St. in Denver, one might assume the area is a construction zone, not a tennis facility.
Nonetheless, the Gates Tennis Center is ready to host the Colorado State Open, which starts Saturday and runs through July 15.
“We’re ready to go,” said Gates tennis director Eric Rose. “We shouldn’t have any problems, and thankfully we got running water hooked back up last week.”
Visually, the double-wide trailer that serves as a temporary clubhouse is not that pleasing, but Rose and business partner Sam Hitman have gone out of their way to make sure the event goes off without a problem. That includes gaining access to four courts down the street to make up for the four that are down during construction.
“Once you’re inside the facility, you really don’t notice all the other stuff going on,” Rose said.
The new Gates center will have the ability to host Challenger events and will feature a two-story clubhouse – which will be home to the Colorado Tennis Association – and two stadium courts with expandable bleachers.
“Our goal is to make it the No. 1 facility in the nation,” Rose said.
Gates hosted a national 18-under tournament last week. Despite Colorado Open participation being down “about 15 percent” from last year, according to Rose, the draw is still loaded with talent.
The 64-man field in the men’s open draw is headed by Littleton’s Cory Ross. The 25-year-old, who swept the titles at last month’s Elam Classic in Grand Junction and the Denver City Open, is top seed and on a quest for an undefeated Colorado summer run.
“It’s the goal,” said Ross, who, if the draw holds true, would face City Open finalist Willie Dann in the final.
Dann is seeded No. 2; Lewis Miller No. 3. Former East High School standout Paul Koenke is the No. 4 seed, and Mark Boren, a semifinalist at the City Open, is No. 5. Niwot High School coach Miikka Keronen is the No. 6 seed.
The women’s draw looks dramatically different. The City Open finalists, champion Lauren Strasburger and runner-up Susan Wright, are not competing, which opens the door for a new champion.
Christin Thompson, who lost to Strasburger in the semifinals of the City Open, is top seed. The former Lewis-Palmer standout currently plays forWheaton College in Illinois.
Evergreen’s Radka Lacjak is the No. 2 seed. Rounding out the top five are Allie Shafner, Tab- atha Knop and Vicki Leroux.
Staff writer Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
Colorado State Open
When: Saturday-Sunday, July 15
Where: Gates Tennis Center, 100 S. Adams St.
Schedule: Semifinals, Saturday, July 14, both men’s and women’s TBD. Sunday, July 15, championships: Women at 9 a.m. and the men to follow.
