Some of the best LGBT tennis players from across the U.S. descend upon Chicago July 31-Aug. 2 for the 21st annual Second City Tennis Classic, an event supported by the Gay & Lesbian Tennis Alliance ( GLTA ) and sponsored by the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) .
Singles and doubles action will be held at the Midtown Tennis Club, 2428 N. Elston, and at the Lakeshore Athletic Club, 1320 W. Fullerton.
"This is one of the bigger tournaments in the nation, and it's held in conjunction with [ North Halsted ] Market Days, so we [ annually ] get a good turnout. People like to play in the tournament, and then go hang out at Market Days," said Mike Plei, the president of Second City Tennis and co-director ( with Randy Supnet ) of the tournament.
The tournament will feature about 150 participants, some traveling from Florida, California and Massachusetts. More than 90 percent will be male, and more than 90 percent are gay, Plei said.
The top-tiered Open Division features some players who are teaching pros, "so they really hit the ball pretty hard," Plei said.
There are four other divisions, based on skill level.
About 100 will participate in singles action, about 50 in doubles and about 75 will play in both.
Players will range in age from 20 to 70.
The Classic also is a fundraiser for the Center on Halsted, aided by donations and a silent auction.
Photo of the '06 Second City tourney by Mel Ferrand