Top-level racquetball event set for ASU

Top-level pro racquetball rarely visits greater Phoenix, but that changes this week with the 2019 Arizona ProAm Racquetball Tournament at Arizona State’s Sun Devil Fitness Complex.

A field 32 players, led by the sport’s all-time legend, No. 1-ranked Kane Waselenchuk, will compete ThursdaySunday. Also in the field is No. 6ranked Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico, who resides in Gilbert.

Waselenchuk, a native of Canada who lives in Austin, Texas, has completely dominated pro racquetball for most of the past two decades.

Waselenchuk, 37, has been the year-end No. 1 player 13 times since 2004.

He is coming off a sweep of the singles and doubles championships at the recent U.S. Open in Minneapolis.

The singles win was his 118th on the International Racquetball Tour; the next highest total for any player is 71. It was also his 15th U.S. Open singles title; no one else has won more than four.

De La Rosa, who began playing on the IRT tour in 2008 at age 16, finished third at the U.S. Open. He is the reigning world doubles champion.

Qualifying rounds will take Thursday from noon-9 p.m.

Play in the round of 16 and quarterfinals are set for Friday, from 11:30-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m., respectively. The semifinals matches are Saturday at 4 and 6 p.m., with the finals scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.

Proceeds from this event will go to the racquetball teams of ASU and Northern Arizona to support their participation in the InterCollegiate Racquetball Championships, to be held at LSU in Baton Rouge, La.

The Sun Devil Fitness Complex is at 400 E. Apache Blvd, Tempe.

The event is open to the public and no tickets are required.

For more information, including how to watch the competition online, visit irttour.com. place