Inside the Performance Volvo Cars Pro Tennis Challenge: Dave Emkey Shares His Perspective

maddieh3
Mar 18
3 min read

Updated: Mar 22

Each year, the Performance Volvo Cars Pro Tennis Challenge brings world-class tennis to Berks County while supporting an incredible cause through its partnership with the IM ABLE Foundation.

To get another perspective on the event, we spoke with Dave, who shared his thoughts on what made last year’s tournament so special—from the atmosphere on the courts to the community support that continues to help the event grow.

Tournament Highlights

What were some of the biggest highlights or moments from last year’s tournament?

“A couple things really stood out to me. The biggest one was that partnering with Performance Volvo really helped take the event to the next level in every area. In the past, we were usually able to donate around $2,500 to the cause, and sometimes even reaching that number took a lot of extra effort. Last year, we were able to raise $10,000. That was a huge step forward. We also had the largest attendance we’ve ever had. My guess is around 150 people watching the nighttime tennis and enjoying the atmosphere. When you put a ton of work into bringing the community together for a cause and then take a moment to look around and see people genuinely enjoying the event and supporting it, it’s really special.”

Were there any matches or performances that really stood out?

“Mixed doubles was amazing. The night match, which had more of a relaxed exhibition-style feel, was really fun. I think the people in attendance enjoyed not only the competition but also seeing a more relaxed and entertaining side of the players.”

Players & Competition

Who were some of the notable players in the field?

According to Dave, each player brought something unique to the event:

Jan Choinski
- Known for his willingness to help with community events and interact with the team
Billy Harris
- Played in a backyard setting before going on to compete in the main draw of the US Open and pushing a future semifinalist in a tight match
Kailash (KP) Pannu
- An entertaining competitor who always brings energy to the court
Ramkumar Ramanathan
- Eager to talk with fans and give everything he has on the court
Benjamin (Ben) Hassan
- Appreciative of the event and always willing to help create a great experience for fans
Andres Martin
- Experiencing this type of event for the first time and embracing every opportunity to engage with the community

What made the level of competition impressive from a tennis standpoint?

“Four out of the six players from our event went on to compete in the US Open in New York the following week. That really shows the level of talent that’s coming through this event.”

The Event Experience

What makes the Performance Volvo Cars Pro Tennis Challenge unique compared to other tournaments?

“It’s professional tennis in a backyard. We try to make these players feel at home—something they don’t get during the 45+ weeks each year they spend traveling for tournaments. At the same time, we’re bringing players from all over the world who compete at the highest level of tennis and giving the local community a chance to interact with them.”

What kind of feedback did you hear from players or spectators?

“Spectators love the opportunity to interact with the players and definitely want to see more mixed doubles. From the players’ side, they love the feeling of being ‘at home’ during the event.”

Community Impact

How does the tournament benefit the local tennis community?

“We’re helping people realize that the tennis community is a great one. Through the sport and the community around it, we’re able to bring people together and lift others up.”

Anything special we should highlight about the sponsors or partnerships that help make the event happen?

“Honestly, partnering with Performance Volvo helped take the event to the next level. Beyond the financial support and volunteers, the partnership helped Ryan and I elevate how we think about the event and keep it community-focused. Of course, the event wouldn’t happen without all of our sponsors. Every sponsor—no matter the amount—plays a critical role in making this event possible.”

Looking Ahead

What are you most excited about for this year’s tournament?

“We’re excited to bring back more mixed doubles and move the VIP dinner to Sunday night so hopefully more sponsors can attend. Our goal is to continue elevating the overall experience for fans in every way possible.”

Anything new fans should keep an eye out for?