For the first time in over three decades, women’s professional tennis is returning to Newport, and it’s coming with a powerful message of equity thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between the International Tennis Hall of Fame and The MARGARET Fund.
The collaboration, announced today, will see The MARGARET Fund serve as a supporting sponsor of the Hall of Fame Open, which runs July 6-13. Most significantly, the partnership helps fulfill the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s commitment to provide equal prize money for both men’s and women’s draws — a rarity in professional tennis.
The Hall of Fame Open will feature both WTA 125 and ATP Challenger events, each offering $200,000 in prize money. This represents a 60 percent increase in the women’s purse to match the men’s total, creating the highest prize payout at the 125 level on both tours.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with The MARGARET Fund to support and promote equity at the Hall of Fame Open, aligning with the return of women’s professional tennis to Newport after 35 years,” said Dan Faber, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. “This collaboration is a significant step towards fostering equity in tennis and our mission to inspire excellence across generations.”
The partnership holds special meaning for Deborah Larkin, founder of The MARGARET Fund and a member of the ITHF Executive Board. “This collaboration represents a significant stride towards achieving the equity Title IX promised, and we are incredibly proud to support the return of women’s professional tennis to Newport after 35 years, expanding possibilities for girls and women in sports,” Larkin said.
The MARGARET Fund — an acronym for “May All Resolve, Girls Achieve Real Equity Today” — was inspired by Larkin’s daughter Margaret, who grew up in the era following Title IX but still faced barriers to equal opportunities. Since 1992, the organization has supported programs promoting education and compliance with Title IX across the country, particularly focusing on girls of color and LGBTQ+ students in rural and underserved communities.
The last time women’s professional tennis was regularly played in Newport was during the 1990s when the Virginia Slims tour competed at the venue. The return of women’s tennis to the historic Newport venue represents both a homecoming and a step forward in the ongoing fight for gender equity in sports.
The Hall of Fame Open begins Sunday, July 6, with qualifying rounds and concludes with both men’s and women’s singles and doubles finals on Sunday, July 13. Tournament information and tickets are available at halloffameopen.com.
