11th Hour Racing Returns as Official Sustainability Sponsor for Infosys Hall of Fame Open

Sponsorship will support sustainability efforts throughout tournament, educate fans on personal behavioral changes that protect ocean health

After last year’s successful debut, 11th Hour Racing is returning as Official Sustainability Sponsor of the Infosys Hall of Fame Open which will take place from July 10 to 17 in Newport, R.I, the organization announced today.

The initiatives implemented through this sponsorship will educate and encourage attendees and tennis fans to reduce their environmental impact, with a focus on composting and eliminating single-use plastics. 11th Hour Racing will also support the tournament in implementing a comprehensive waste management plan for all event operations, including all back of house areas for players, the International Tennis Hall of Fame offices, the museum and all other special events on property related to the tournament.

“The sponsorship of the Hall of Fame Open has been the ideal first step for 11th Hour Racing to expand its programs from sailing to land-based sports like tennis as part of its mission to mobilize coastal communities with an innovative approach to inspire solutions for the ocean,” said Lorraine McKenna, sponsorship manager at 11th Hour Racing. “The event made strong sustainability innovations last year, and our collaboration with the organizers will continue to emphasize that what you do on land has a direct effect on the health of our waterways. Together, we are also elevating the standard for sustainable event operations in Newport and beyond.”

In 2021, with 11th Hour Racing’s support, the Infosys Hall of Fame Open achieved its goal of 70% waste diversion from the landfill and eliminated the use of plastic straws, bags, and water bottles. By providing canned water and a water refilling station, the tournament prevented the use of over 17,000 plastic water bottles.

This year, the tournament seeks to achieve at least 75% waste diversion by bolstering initiatives launched in 2021, including recycling single-use beverage containers and composting food packaging and food scraps.

The Hall of Fame Open will spotlight these actions on its second annual Sustainability Day on Wednesday, July 13, during which the tournament will spread awareness of its sustainability efforts and educate athletes and fans alike through messaging and instructional signage on-site and on social media.

Additional methods to achieve the Infosys Hall of Fame Open’s sustainability goals in 2022 include:

  • Adopt a sustainability charter that all caterers and on-site vendors will abide by.
  • Continue eliminating single-use plastic bottles, straws, and bags.
  • Continue to track key sustainability indicators, including landfill diversion rate.
  • Encourage the use of refillable water bottles with two on-site water refilling stations.
  • Enlist a volunteer Green Team to direct attendees on proper waste disposal on-site during the tournament.
  • Package all beverages in recyclable aluminum cans.
  • Use certified green cleaning products and recycled paper for printed materials.
  • Use compostable or recyclable service ware for concessions.

The Infosys Hall of Fame Open, the only ATP Tour tournament played on grass courts outside of Europe, will take place July 10 through 17 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Tickets can be purchased at infosyshalloffameopen.com/tickets or by calling the tournament box office at (401) 849-6053.

Header image credit: Kate Whitney Lucey/International Tennis Hall of Fame