February 27 – March 2, 2025
Racquet Club of Chicago
The 2025 Western Open at the Racquet Club of Chicago was another fantastic week of competition, camaraderie, and great sportsmanship. Officially scheduled for February 27 to March 2, tournament play began early on Monday, February 24, to accommodate the record number of entrants. This year’s tournament saw an incredible 110 players in the singles draw and 60 pairs competing in doubles and 50 pairs in the handicap doubles tennis tournament, making for a packed schedule and exciting matches throughout the week.
The event welcomed players from each of the NARA Clubs, Queens Club and Manchester Tennis and Racquets Club, including a group of 43 members from Queen’s Club in London, who made the trip to Chicago to take part in the tournament. Their presence, along with the other out-of-town guests, added to the lively atmosphere both on and off the courts.
The tournament play was complemented by a great lineup of off-court festivities, starting with the Thursday Night Buffet, where players and guests enjoyed an evening of good food and conversation ahead of the tournament’s later rounds. The Friday Night Stag drew 180 attendees for an evening of porterhouse steaks, great wine, and animated discussions about the matches—punctuated by world-class jokes told by James Coyne, which kept the crowd entertained well into the night.
By Saturday morning, players and guests were ready for some fun and recovery at Bloodies & Bowling, where Bloody Mary’s and a few frames at the lanes provided further entertainment for those of us who were no longer alive in the rackets draws.
The high-level play throughout the week culminated in a festive singles final between Tom Billings and Tarquin Sotir, where Tom Billings emerged victorious against the former Foster Cup champion Sotir.
Following the singles final, players and guests gathered for Sunday Brunch, a great tradition, to reflect on the matches, share a few laughs, and prepare for the tournament’s final event.
The weekend wrapped up with an exciting doubles final, where Conor Medlow and Will Hopton defeated Will Annetts and Julius Manton-Jones in a well-contested match, bringing the tournament to a fitting conclusion.
A heartfelt thank you to Conor Medlow and the entire Racquet Club staff for their tireless efforts in organizing an outstanding weekend. Their dedication and hard work made everything run smoothly and ensured that players and guests had a fantastic experience.
A big thank you to all the participants, members, and guests who made this year’s Western Open such an enjoyable event. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026!
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