Coach John Peterson

John Peterson, who led his teams to 25 national championships in 24 years at Tyler Junior College, will be honored for his contributions to the sport of tennis in Tyler and East Texas on Tuesday during the RBC Pro Challenge at Tyler Athletic & Swim Club, the city of Tyler announced.

Mayor Martin Heines has issued a proclamation naming Oct. 29, 2019, “John Peterson Day.” Linda Sellers, city councilwoman for the district where Tyler Athletic & Swim Club (2767 Oak Creek Blvd., 75703) is located, will read and present the proclamation. Current TJC men’s and women’s head coach Dash Connell, who played for Peterson, will share personal remarks about his former coach and mentor.

The ceremony is scheduled after the 5:30 p.m. match.

Some of the rising stars in women’s tennis, including Caty McNally, Whitney Osuigwe, Ann Li and CoCo Vandeweghe, are scheduled to compete in the third annual $80,000 RBC Pro Challenge.

The USTA Pro Circuit event began on Monday and continues through Sunday. The event benefits the Tyler Chapter of Junior Achievement.

The qualifying draw was Monday with the main draw starting on Tuesday. Matches are slated to begin at 10 a.m. each day, while there will also be clinics.

There is no cost for admission to the general public from Monday through Thursday. However, you are required to have your e-ticket to enter the gate. For tickets and e-tickets go to www.rbcprochallenge.com. Tickets for Friday through Sunday are $10 (adults) and $5 (children).

The tournament continues the women’s side of the USTA’s Australian Open Wild Card Challenge, which kicked off last week in Macon, Georgia.

Tyler is the second of four consecutive women’s hard-court tournaments that make up with the women’s side of the Challenge, which will award an American women a main draw wild card into the 2020 Australian Open. The USTA and Tennis Australia have a reciprocal agreement in which wild cards into the 2020 U.S. Open and Australian Opens are exchanged. The Challenge also includes a W60 (second tier) event in Las Vegas (week of Nov. 4), as well as the WTA $125,000 series tourney in Houston (week of Nov. 11).

The women’s wild card will be awarded to the American with the highest cumulative total of WTA singles ranking points earned from their best three results during those four weeks. Only Americans who do not earn direct entry into the Australian Open are eligible.

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2019 TOURNAMENT

& COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Oct. 29

Net Generation FREE Family Day, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Main Draw & Qualifying Matches, 10 a.m. start

Featured Evening Match, 5:30 p.m. start

Wednesday, Oct. 30

Main Draw Matches, 10 a.m. start

Thursday, Oct. 31

Ladies Day Clinic and Luncheon, 8:30 a.m. start

Main Draw, 10 a.m. start

Tyler Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 p.m.

Featured Evening Match, 5:30 p.m. start

Friday, Nov. 1

Singles Quarterfinals, Doubles Semifinal, 10 a.m. start

Saturday, Nov. 2

Singles Semifinals, Doubles Final, 10:00 a.m. start

Sunday, Nov. 3

Singles final, 12:30 p.m.