HICKORY  - For the first time, the United States Tennis Association is naming one American city the Best Tennis Town. The announcement will be made during the 2009 US Open, and local tennis enthusiasts are working to make sure the honor will go to Hickory.

Hickory Foundation YMCA Tennis Director Kathy Kim said she hopes a win will draw even more Hickory residents to the sport for the first time. She said she'd love to see all the people who have looked at tennis and said, "I'd like to try that," but never did, to come out to the courts and get a taste for the game. More than 50 cities entered the contest and when the field was narrowed to 10, Hickory was among the finalists. The USTA has set up a Web site where people can vote online for their favorite tennis town at www.besttennistown.com.

The voting began Thursday and will run through Sunday, July 26. Voters must be at least 13 years old and only one vote is allowed per e-mail address. The winner will get the title, a trophy and $100,000 for tennis programs or facility improvements. Other cities vying to be the first-named Best Tennis Town include Las Vegas, Nev., Baton Rouge, La., and Cary. The second- and third-prize winners will receive $50,000 and $25,000, respectively. The remaining seven communities will each receive a $2,000 tennis equipment package. That kind of prize money could come in handy, said Legacy Tennis Executive Director of Programming Jebrille Walls. Legacy Tennis serves area young people who are just starting out in the game, and Walls said he'd like to be able to provide them with more equipment. He'd also like to see more tennis tournaments in Catawba County , he said.

Tennis town? Hickory hopes to be recognized as best in the nation for sport