MLS FC Dallas

Dallas Open Unveils Lamar Hunt Family Trophy to be Awarded to Singles Draw Champion

Published on February 10, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


DALLAS - The Dallas Open today unveiled the Lamar Hunt Family Trophy, which will go to the Singles Draw champion at the ATP 250 event. The Dallas Open is being played this week at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex at SMU.

The trophy, named after tennis pioneer Lamar Hunt and his family, features an etched photo of the sports magnate on the front and Dallas' iconic Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge on the top. This becomes the third major trophy named after the man who is enshrined in the tennis, football, and soccer halls of fame. The three trophies are:

The Lamar Hunt Trophy, awarded to the winner of the NFL's AFC Championship Game

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, awarded to the winner of the oldest national soccer tournament in the United States - The U.S. Open Cup

The Lamar Hunt Family Trophy, awarded to the winner of the Dallas Open - the only indoor ATP tennis tournament in the United States

"It's great to have professional tennis again in Dallas," said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. "My father was such a tennis fan. He took incredible pride in growing the sport and our family is honored that his legacy continues with the Dallas Open."

Tennis aficionados will remember Hunt as the visionary who founded World Championship Tennis (WCT) in 1967, the precursor to modern men's professional tennis in Dallas.

"We are extremely honored to unveil the Lamar Hunt Family Trophy, presented to the 2023 Dallas Open champion for the first time on Sunday," said Dallas Open Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs. "Lamar's impact on professional tennis cannot be overstated. He was a pioneer of the sport in this area and we're honored to recognize his impact with this trophy."

Hunt's impact in tennis was creative, innovative, and radical. The WCT built a global following, bringing professionals into tournament tennis. Hunt actively recruited amateur players, and the inaugural group known as the "Handsome Eight" featured Dennis Ralston, John Newcombe, Tony Roche, Cliff Drysdale, Earl Buchholz, Niki Pilić, Roger Taylor, and Pierre Barthès.

Hunt instituted a tie-breaker system and outfitted players with colorful clothing, a radical change implemented to improve the product for its television coverage. Hunt wanted a lively atmosphere - the WCT strongly encouraged fans to cheer for players - giving matches more of a boxing atmosphere than the hushed courts of Wimbledon.

In the early 1980s, WCT ultimately yielded to the weight of a changing landscape. The WCT folded in 1989 and in 1990, and the ATP began its own tour. Now, the ATP's Dallas Open will pay its respects to Hunt for paving the way for professional tennis to be successful in Dallas.

Lamar Hunt's family legacy continues with wife Norma and children, Lamar Jr., Sharron, Clark, and Dan.

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