NEWPORT, R.I., June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 11th Hour Racing announced today its sponsorship of The Hall of Fame Open, the ATP Tour tournament hosted annually at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which this year will be held July 11-18. 

11th Hour Racing, a leading organization that harnesses the power of sport to promote collaborative, systemic change benefitting the health of our ocean, will serve as the tournament's Official Sustainability Sponsor. Both the Hall of Fame Open and 11th Hour Racing are based in the coastal town of Newport, Rhode Island.

"This is an exciting, new sponsorship for 11th Hour Racing, with a lot of potential for meaningful impact. Until this point, our work has focused on sailing. However, we believe in harnessing the power of sport to create change and engage people on the critical concept that sustainable behavior on land is key to ocean restoration. There is no better place to draw this connection to the sea than in Newport, where the ocean surrounds us," stated Rob MacMillan, co-founder and president of 11th Hour Racing.

As part of the new sponsorship, the Hall of Fame Open facilitated a review by a sustainability consultant to develop a clear plan for immediate and long-range tactics to improve the tournament's overall environmental impact.

New initiatives being implemented at this summer's Hall of Fame Open will include:

• Elimination of single-use bottles, straws, and plastic bags.
• An enhanced composting program for food and landscaping waste.
• A sustainability charter that all caterers and on-site vendors will be required to abide by.
• Use of recycled paper in all printed materials.
• Use of custodial paper products made from recycled materials.
• Use of cleaning products and hand soaps certified by Green Seal, Safer Choice, or Eco Logo.
• Implementation of an improved and comprehensive recycling program.
• Tracking key indicators to be utilized in sustainability initiatives in future years, such as water, electricity, and fuel usage.

In addition, a key focus of the partnership will be to communicate with tournament fans, players, and volunteers proactively about behavior changes individuals can implement at the event and at home to make a long-term positive impact on ocean health.

"As a large-scale event in a coastal community, it is the International Tennis Hall of Fame's responsibility to our community to operate in a manner that will help sustain our ocean and environment. We are grateful for 11th Hour Racing's sponsorship and expert guidance as to how we can improve the event's behaviors and impact in both the short and long term," said Todd Martin, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame Open will be held July 11 – 18 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. It is the only professional tennis tournament played on grass courts in North America. Tickets for the event are on sale now on www.HallofFameOpen.com.

About 11th Hour Racing
11th Hour Racing works to mobilize sailing, maritime and coastal communities with an innovative approach to inspire solutions for the ocean. Driven by a philosophy of "local solutions to global problems," the organization connects international sailing teams with global events and utilizes these platforms to spotlight a broad portfolio of community grant projects. Learn more at 11thhourracing.org.

About the Hall of Fame Open
Hosted on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, the Hall of Fame Open is the only ATP Tour event played in the Northeast and the only pro tournament played on grass courts in North and South America. The 2021 tournament will be held July 11 -18, 2021. Topping off a week of exciting pro tennis, a highlight of the week will be the International Tennis Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on July 17. The tournament is operated by the International Tennis Hall of Fame and proceeds directly support the organization's efforts to preserve and promote tennis history, celebrate its greatest champions, and inspire the future of the sport. For additional information, visit www.halloffameopen.com.

Media Contact:
Alessandra Ghezzi / 11th Hour Racing
[email protected], +1-401-856-9287

Anne Marie McLaughlin / International Tennis Hall of Fame
[email protected], +1-401-626-7615

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SOURCE 11th Hour Racing