NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 7, 2016 – The Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies, a WTA event that is part of the Emirates Airline US Open Series, announced several major tournament updates during its annual media day held at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. Tournament director Anne Worcester joined city, state and sponsor representatives to provide an update on this year’s tournament, including the return of four-time champion Caroline Wozniacki.New for 2016 is the addition of an Opening Night Ceremony presented by Yale University, Girls Day and Night Out as well as the addition of more than 15 new sponsors and five new shopping booths. Opening Night Ceremony will feature all WTA Main Draw Singles players and Yale student flag-bearers—members of the university’s international student community who will carry flags for each of the countries represented by players in the tournament. In addition, Yale University and the City of New Haven will mark the start of the tournament with special appearances by community leaders, a ceremonial coin toss, and entertainment provided by Yale performing groups.“We are so proud to sponsor the Connecticut Open’s opening night ceremony,” said Yale University President Peter Salovey. “The tournament is one of my favorite weeks of the year, and all of us at Yale are looking forward to kicking off the festivities with an evening that will bring our university, the local community, and a world-class international sporting event together in a new and exciting way.” The Opening Night Ceremony will take place on Monday, August 22.Also new in 2016 is a Girls Day and Night Out on Tuesday, August 23 featuring the COURTGIRL Lifestyle Experience during the day and evening sessions. Mothers, daughters, sisters and girlfriends can look forward to makeovers, trunk shows, boutique fashion brands and much more.Joining the player field for 2016 is four-time champion Caroline Wozniacki. Wozniacki has posted a 28-4 record at the tournament, earning her the nickname “Queen of New Haven.” She has 23 career WTA singles titles and held the No. 1 World Ranking for 67 weeks from 2010-2012. An ankle injury has limited the Dane in 2016, but Wozniacki returns to action today in Nottingham (UK) at the start of the grass-court season.“Coming back to New Haven and to Yale is always special for me, and I look forward to competing at the Connecticut Open in August,” said Wozniacki. “The fans are always very supportive and the atmosphere on the court and around the grounds is terrific. I’ve had tremendous success in New Haven and hope to make a run at another title.”The Dane joins a player field that includes two-time defending champion Petra Kvitova, who looks to tie Wozniacki with four Connecticut Open titles; Madison Keys, a finalist at Rome; and Sloane Stephens, winner of titles at Auckland, Acapulco and Charleston this year.In addition to the above stars, rising American player Shelby Rogers has also joined the player field. Rogers, who was ranked No. 108 entering the French Open, produced a magical run at Roland Garros and reached the quarterfinals, before falling to eventual Champion and now World No. 2 Garbine Muguruza. Only seven other women since 1984 have made the French Open quarters with a triple-digit ranking, and none faced a more challenging road than Rogers, who defeated the No. 25, No. 17 and No. 10 seeds at Roland Garros. Rogers, now ranked No. 60 in the world, will be making her first appearance in New Haven.“By reaching the semifinals or winning the tournament seven of the past eight years she has played in New Haven, Caroline Wozniacki has become a name synonymous with the Connecticut Open,” said Worcester. “We remain focused on featuring great champions like Caroline and Petra as well as strong American stars like Madison and Sloane and rising talent such as Shelby. The early field is off to a solid start and we believe it will only get stronger before the start in August.”said Worcester. “
“We’re looking forward to another great tournament season and continuing the momentum of a successful 2015 where we saw an overall increase in attendance and revenue,” said Ben Barnes, secretary, Office of Policy Management, State of Connecticut. “We’re very pleased with the positive economic impact the tournament provides to Greater New Haven and the state of Connecticut.”