UK Happenings

It’s your serve: get involved at the Lexington Challenger tennis tournament

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Photo of tennis player Alex Bolt
image of painting created by KCH patients

Lexington, Ky. (July 26, 2024) – Each year, the Lexington Challenger, a USTA Pro Circuit event, attracts the rising stars of professional tennis to the Bluegrass.

Returning to UK’s Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex July 28 through Aug. 4, this event features exciting action on the court, showcasing professional men’s and women’s tennis players from around the world and highlighting the rising wave of American talent — and there are a number of ways Central Kentuckians can be part of the action.

Volunteer at the tournament

Every year, the Lexington Challenger relies on a large number of volunteers to make the tournament a success. There are many jobs including: ushers, drivers, gate attendants, ball crew and more. View available volunteer opportunities or request more information here.

Support patients at Kentucky Children’s Hospital

The Lexington Challenger Tennis Charity is delighted to present an exciting opportunity to own an original painting by local artist Kelly Robertson Brewer. Brewer teamed up with patients from Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH) to create a colorful, unique work of art. Proceeds from the auction will go directly to KCH. Place your online bid here.

See the action

Bring the whole family to watch the next big names in tennis take on some of the best players in the sport. Tickets are available for purchase online.

  • Saturday, July 27 – Big Blue Night with UK Tennis
  • Monday, July 29 – High School Day
  • Tuesday – USTA Kids Day & USTA Night
  • Thursday – Women’s Night
  • Friday, Aug. 2 – Men’s Night
  • Saturday, Aug. 3 – Doubles Finals & Kentucky Children’s Hospital Day
  • Sunday, Aug. 4 – Singles Finals

First held in 1995, the Lexington Challenger is a combination of the USTA Challenger and ITF Women’s Tours, and attracts emerging talent and established players vying for ranking points and prize money. The tournament provides an excellent platform for rising stars to showcase their skills and compete against seasoned competitors. With its competitive atmosphere and enthusiastic local support, the Lexington Challenger is a key fixture in the tennis calendar, contributing to the growth and development of the sport.

UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and Kentucky’s top hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.