Tiburon Challenger Stars Set Sail On San Francisco Bay

With the competition as fierce as ever, the ATP Challenger Tour demands countless hours on the court and in the gym, week in and week out. Any small reprieve is a welcome one for players looking to end their season on a high note.

For those competing at the Tiburon Challenger presented by Wells Fargo in California, that reprieve wasn’t so small – in fact, it was quite large… and came in the form of a 98-foot yacht. Several players from the picturesque ATP Challenger Tour event were treated to a luxurious cruise on the San Francisco Bay, courtesy of a generous patron of the tournament’s Tiburon Peninsula Club.

With views of the Tiburon and San Francisco shorelines, the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island and Alcatraz, a group of players including Cameron Norrie, Sam Groth, Alejandro Gonzalez, Luke Bambridge, Brydan Klein and David O’Hare were treated to something a little extra at the Tiburon Challenger.

“On Monday, one of the ladies here at the club took us out on what was something like a $15 million boat,” said Norrie, who will compete in Sunday’s title match versus Tennys Sandgren.

“We went under the Golden Gate Bridge and it was a nice opportunity to see the area. We had free food and dinner and it was a great experience. You don’t see that too often on the Challenger level.”

The $100,000 Challenger in Tiburon has always been a marquee destination for players on the ATP Challenger Tour. Located on hills replete with a stunning vista of one of America’s most vibrant coastal municipalities, the tournament is currently in its 11^th edition, having first hosted the event in 2003. 

Past champions include current and former Top 20 players Sam Querrey (2014), Jack Sock (2012) and Ivo Karlovic (2011).

“This tournament has been unbelievable,” remarked Norrie. “They’ve been great to me. It’s probably one of the best Challengers I’ve played in. The community is great and the atmosphere at each match too.”