The Oklahoma Tennis Foundation’s Pro Series has quickly become one of the most exciting developments on the state’s tennis scene — a collection of world-class events bringing top talent, unforgettable experiences, and a whole new level of energy to Oklahoma courts. We sat down with Bill Towler, the visionary behind the series, to learn how it all began, what makes these tournaments special, and where the future is headed. From and Idea to a Movement “In early 2023, I thought it would be interesting for us to host a non-sanctioned pro tournament in the fall,” Towler explains. “It would give the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation a chance to create awareness for our brand, reach out to the tennis community, and — most importantly — have some fun!” After researching other events and consulting college coaches, Towler launched the first OKTF $25K Invitational in October 2023 at Edmond Center Court. The event combined high-level tennis with a vibrant atmosphere, complete with a shrimp boil, live band, and Calcutta auction on opening night. “The World Team Tennis format worked fantastic,” Towler says. “It’s very fan-friendly and loads of fun.” Following the Invitational’s success, the OKTF Pro Series was born in 2024, combining the Invitational, the OKTF W75 Edmond Open , and The Norman Open into one exciting statewide lineup. Mark your Calendars This year, the OKTF Pro Series returns bigger than ever, bringing top-tier tennis to three major events across Oklahoma: OKTF Invitational — October 3–4, 2025 (Edmond Center Court) OKTF W100 Edmond Open — October 6–12, 2025 (Edmond Center Court) OKTF Norman Open — October 20–26, 2025 (University of Oklahoma) The Invitational: Competition Meets Celebration The OKTF Invitational has quickly become the second-largest non-sanctioned professional tournament in the U.S. Its unique structure — a World Team Tennis format featuring teams of four players (two men, two women), makes for fast-paced, exciting matches. “One of the unique elements of this event is that it’s non-sanctioned, so, for lack of a better term, we can do what we want,” Towler explains. Opening night, Friday, October 3rd, kicks off with the Racquet & Roll Celebration, featuring a live band, dinner a Calcutta auction, and the first round of play. On Saturday, October 4th, fans can enjoy an adaptive clinic in the morning, a kids’ clinic before the finals, and plenty of opportunities to interact with players.  “It’s just a special experience for our fans, players, officials, and volunteers,” Towler says. The W100 Edmond Open: A Global Stage in Oklahoma Few realize the level of talent coming to Edmond for the OKTF W100 Edmond Open, taking place October 6–12, 2025. “There were only four W100 events in the U.S. last year out of 27 worldwide,” Towler notes. “Fans will see players ranked anywhere from the top 60 to around 250 in the world. Most of these players have competed in majors and are just a narrow margin away from breaking into the top 50.” Last year’s event featured Victoria Mboko, who is now ranked No. 24 in the world, a sign of the elite talent these tournaments attract. Players, coaches, and their teams come in from all over the world, and through broadcast partnerships, fans globally can stream every match live. Locally, tennis lovers can watch world-class competition up close and personal at Edmond Center Court. The Norman Open: A Fan Favorite Grows The OKTF Norman Open, scheduled for October 20–26, 2025, continues to grow in prestige and popularity. The event actually includes two separate pro tournaments (an M25 and a W35) running simultaneously at the University of Oklahoma. “Dawna Johnston and her team at OU have turned the Norman Open into one of the feature stops on the Pro Circuit,” Towler says. The tournament has welcomed some incredible names over the years, including Danielle Collins, Bianca Andreescu, Sofia Kenin, and Learner Tien. This year, the event will be even more special thanks to a $7.2 million renovation of OU’s tennis facilities, offering fans and players an enhanced, first-class experience. Looking Ahead, Building for the Future Towler has big hopes for the OKTF Pro Series moving forward: “My hope is that this isn’t just a showcase of tournaments but a model others can adopt around the country to host Pro Circuit events,” he says. “Ultimately, I’d love for us to host an ATP or WTA event one day.” Beyond growing the game at a professional level, Towler believes these events inspire the entire Oklahoma tennis community: “These events give young and old players the chance to come see some of the best tennis in the world right here in Oklahoma,” he says. “We hope it motivates people to get on the court, play tennis, and give back to the community.” Find out more by clicking here. Original publication: https://thebaseliner.net/f/raising-the-game---inside-the-oktf-pro-series-with-bill-towler

OKTF Seeks Ball Persons for October Tournaments in Edmond The Oklahoma Tennis Foundation (OKTF) is seeking ball persons to participate in two upcoming professional tennis events at Edmond Center Court: OKTF Invitational – October 3–4, 2025 ITF/USTA Edmond Open W100 Professional Women’s Tournament – October 6–12, 2025 These tournaments will bring world-class tennis to Edmond, and ball persons play a crucial role in creating a professional, smooth-running experience for players and fans alike. “We’re especially looking for juniors ages 11-and- up who have an understanding of the scoring and adults who play in local or USTA leagues,” said David Minihan. “It is mandatory that we have ball persons for all main draw matches, so we are needing help with the adult market especially during the morning and early afternoons. This is a unique opportunity to be part of the action and get up close to top-level tennis.” Ball Person Details: Eligibility: Juniors and adults (league players, juniors 11 & up, and tennis enthusiasts) Training: Instruction and guidance provided — no prior experience required Availability: Volunteers should be flexible, as match times may shift with scheduling Perks: Ball persons will receive a complimentary ticket valid for the entire week of the ITF/USTA Edmond Open W100 Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up by completing the availability form here: Sign up . As a thank-you for serving as a ball person, you will receive a complimentary ticket valid for the entire week of the USTA/ITF Edmond Open W100. We truly appreciate your support! For more information, please contact Coach Marina at marinaer80@gmail.com