International Tennis Hall of Fame

11th Hour Racing Returns as Official Sustainability Sponsor for Infosys Hall of Fame Open. Photo credit: Ben Solomon

In 2020, 11th Hour Racing became the Official Sustainability Sponsor of the Hall of Fame Open, a fellow Newport, RI-based organization. This partnership expanded in 2023, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame will work with 11th Hour Racing year-round to expand its sustainable initiatives. A men’s professional tennis tournament on the ATP Tour, the Hall of Fame Open draws some of the world’s best tennis players and thousands of fans to Newport for a week of exciting pro tennis contested on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

 

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Initiatives Supported by 11th Hour Racing

11th Hour Racing’s sponsorship has made a strong impact on expanding the Hall of Fame Open’s sustainability plan and initiatives. As part of the sponsorship, the Hall of Fame Open facilitated a review of the tournament’s practices by a sustainability consultant to develop a clear plan for immediate and long-range initiatives to improve the tournament’s overall environmental impact.

As a result, new sustainability initiatives implemented at the Hall of Fame Open include:

  • An 80% landfill diversion rate through recycling and composting with an enhanced compost program for food and landscape waste.
  • Offsetting the entire Infosys Hall of Fame Open’s carbon footprint, including guest travel, player travel, on-site fuel use, waste, and electricity.
  • Water refilling stations on the grounds and encouraging fans to bring and use refillable water bottles.
  • Eliminate single-use bottles, straws, and plastic bags while providing alternatives such as water refilling stations.
  • Source sustainable solutions for event wristbands and work with vendors to use sustainable packaging.
  • Work with caterers to implement compostable service ware, food composting, and offer local or sustainably sourced food.
  • Use of recycled paper in all printed materials and green-certified cleaning products.
  • Track key indicators to enable sustainability initiatives in future years, such as water, electricity, and fuel usage.
  • Internal education for Hall of Fame staff focused on how sustainability improvements at a land-based event can improve ocean health.

Background

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 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.