Junior Tennis Championship Renamed to Honor Former County Executive

One of Prince George’s County traditions is getting a name change.

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III announced on Monday that the event formerly known as the “Prince George’s County International Junior Tennis Championship” will be renamed the “Wayne K. Curry Prince George’s County International Tennis Championship” in memory of Wayne K. Curry.

Curry, who helped create the Junior Tennis Champions Center, was the county’s first African-American county executive and served from 1994-2002. He died from lung cancer in July.

Curry was a well-respected leader and helped raise the county profile both locally and nationally.

“Wayne was also a champion of youth activities and athletics as exemplified by the Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Center in Landover,” Baker said. “It is a fitting tribute to name this premier tennis tournament for a champion of our community as we welcome the best junior tennis players and their parents to Prince George’s County.”

The local wild card qualifying tournament concluded on Wednesday and the main qualifying event will take place over the next two days. The main draw of the tournament will take place Aug. 18-24 at the Junior Tennis Champions Center.

Held two weeks prior to the Junior US Open, the tournament attracts top male and female junior players from around the world.

A top contender in this year’s tournament is Prince George’s County resident Francis Tiafoe. Tiafoe, 16, is from Riverdale Park and is currently ranked number seven in the International Tennis Federation junior circuit.

Of the top 100 world-ranked junior male players, 22 will be participating in the tournament along with 24 of the top 100 world-ranked junior female players.