BNP Paribas Open To Feature Tennis Recycling
The BNP Paribas Open will collect tennis racquets and balls for recycling during the two weekends of the tennis tournament, organizers said today.
People who bring at least six used tennis balls on tournament weekends, March 10-11 and March 17-18, will get a free can of tennis balls. Racquets will be donated to the U.S. Tennis Association’s National Junior Tennis & Learning network.
More than 40,000 tennis balls have been collected and recycled since the tournament recycling drives started, organizers said.
There will be collection bins for balls and racquets at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, 78200 Miles Ave.
The tournament is also accepting applications for competitors for its pre-qualifying tournament, and volunteers.
The tournament is staffed by more than 1,000 volunteers, whose tasks include directing people to their seats, working in the media center and transporting players around the Coachella Valley. The deadline to apply is Feb. 15.
The pre-qualifying tournament is slated for Feb. 27-March 3. Winners earn a wild card into the qualifying draw of the BNP Paribas Open. The deadline to enter is Feb. 24.
The tournament will feature No. 1-ranked defending champions, Novak Djokovic and Caroline Wozniacki, along with No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal and three- time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 Maria Sharapova. It is the largest combined two-week event in the world for the Association of Tennis Professionals and Women’s Tennis Association, and features 11 former tournament champions and 14 Grand Slam champions.
For information and tickets, call (760) 200-8000 or go to www.bnpparibasopen.com.
