History of The Annual Cotton Bowl Classic

In 1957, in emulation of the longstanding traditions of the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl, Dallas introduced a tennis tournament as part of its "annual New Year's sports festival." The inaugural Cotton Bowl Indoor Tennis Tournament took place at the indoor courts of the Fair Park Recreation Building from December 28 to December 31, 1957, exclusively for junior players. At a nominal entry fee of $2.00 per player per event, the tournament garnered just over 200 enthusiastic participants. This event was proudly sponsored by the Cotton Bowl Council and Dallas Tennis, in collaboration with the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.

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To add to the festivities, a lavish buffet and dance were organized for players and their parents on the evening of December 29 at the Dreyfus Club. As the early 1960s dawned, the tournament had grown into the largest indoor junior tournament in the nation. Over time, it expanded to encompass adult divisions and currently stands as an Adult Level 5 Tournament.