The Sarasota area has been a tennis hotbed for many years, with the Nick Bollettieri/IMG Academy just up the road and numerous pros and former pros choosing to make Sarasota their home. The Sarasota Open, held at the Longboat Key Club in a brand new $4.5 million facility, is the premier tennis event on Florida’s gulf coast. Local pros seek to defend their home turf as everybody gets tuned up for the year’s second Grand Slam event, the French Open, which immediately follows.
Residents of Laurel Park are a five-minute drive away from all the action. Or you could always enjoy the scenic half-hour bike ride out to Longboat Key, instead. Either way, the Sarasota Open is a can’t-miss event. Check out their Web site for more info.