The buzz around Hempfield Rec over the past few months is the upcoming Koser Jeweler Tennis Challenge, a $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit Event which begins next week.

But there’s an event happening at Hempfield on Saturday that’s building another type of buzz, bringing the tennis community together for a unique, one-day tournament that’s all about being inclusive.

The Special Olympics of Pennsylvania (SOPA) Tournament will include 27 players competing across three divisions in round-robin format, with players matched up by age and skill level. A collaboration of Tennis Central, Special Olympics of Pennsylvania and USTA Middle States, it’s the first USTA Sanctioned Tournament within USTA Middle States of its kind.

Special Olympics athletes of all ages were eligible to compete. The expected age range is 10-50.

Action at Hempfield Area Rec will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The men’s and women’s top division final will be played in the stadium court Saturday afternoon.

For more information and/or media requests, please contact Michael Gladysz (gladysz@ms.usta.com | 484-302-0759).