YOUR GUIDE TO THE PNW OPEN

A true hometown hero, Pat Galbraith grew up just steps from TLTC, where he spent his youth playing tennis, squash—and swimming too. He went on to win the PNW men’s singles title three times (1985, 1986, 1990) and earned three state titles at Bellarmine Prep before becoming an NCAA doubles champion and three-time All-American at UCLA. As a professional, he reached the world No. 1 doubles ranking in 1993, was a Wimbledon finalist, and won the U.S. Open Mixed Doubles in 1994 and 1996. Pat later served as president and board chair of the USTA and was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003. You just might catch him courtside at this year’s tournament!

While Arthur Ashe didn’t compete in the PNW Open, his visit in 1966 left a lasting impact. As a young Army officer in ROTC at Fort Lewis, Ashe conducted junior clinics, played exhibition matches, and even umpired the men’s singles final. His presence brought excitement to the tournament, and his influence on the sport extended far beyond that summer. Ashe went on to break barriers as the first Black player to win the U.S. Open (1968), Australian Open (1970), and Wimbledon (1975), while also championing social justice through his National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) program, which continues to serve thousands of young athletes today.

A trailblazer in women’s tennis, May Sutton had already made history by winning Wimbledon in 1905 before arriving in Tacoma for the 1911 PNW Open. She captivated audiences with her dominant play, winning the women’s singles title and even competing in a high-profile “battle of the sexes” exhibition match. Her presence helped boost local interest in tennis, drawing record crowds and inspiring a new generation of players. Sutton returned in 1912 to successfully defend her title, cementing her status as one of the greatest female players of her time.

At just 15 years old, Jack Kramer made history at the 47th Pacific Northwest Tournament, becoming the youngest player to ever win the Thorne Cup. A rising star from California, he dominated in junior and men’s singles, later going on to win the U.S. Championships (now the U.S. Open) in 1946 and 1947, as well as Wimbledon in 1947. Kramer’s legacy extended beyond the court—he was instrumental in the formation of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1968.