W50 - 50K Women's Champion Gets Direct Accept Singles Wild Card into WTA 250 ATX Open - February 22-March 2, 2025
How It All Began:
The Dropshot Series Origin Story
Now embarking on its 6th year, Drop Shot founder, Bryan Sheffield is teaming up with, professional tennis player, Christo van Rensburg to host professional tennis tournaments in Austin, Texas. After celebrating multiple years of hosting pro tennis events, on the USTA Pro Circuit / ITF World Tour and the UTR Ranking system, we are adding more tournaments to our lineup including a WTA 250 event called the ATX Open, which occurs annually at the end of February. This exciting new Austin based pro tennis tournament is one of the 3rd largest women’s only tournaments in North America and is the largest women’s sporting event in Texas and the region.
Slated to grow year after year, and add more opportunities for players to qualify and compete, we are doubling down on our commitment to growing the tennis community locally and worldwide starting here in Austin, TX.
Events bring together professional athletes from around the world to compete for coveted world tennis points and prize money. Highly anticipated to scale over the next several years, our goal is to enable our men’s and women’s tournaments to expand access to professional sports in the Austin community.
Meet The Team
Bryan Sheffield
Tournament Promoter
Founder, Drop Shot LLC and DropShot Series
“It’s all about a bigger impact.
If you can help young athletes reach their full potential and support a community in need, you have to go for it.”
Bryan Sheffield serves as Founder and Managing Partner of Formentera Partners, an energy focused private equity group. Prior to Formentera, Sheffield founded Parsley Energy, an independent oil and gas company where he served as CEO, Chairman of the Board, and Chairman Emeritus. Credited in leading the second most successful exploration and production IPO in history, Sheffield was recognized among Forbes’ 40 Under 40 and Austin Business Journal’s CEO of the Year. Parsley Energy was acquired by Pioneer Natural Resources in 2021.
A third-generation oil executive, Bryan began his oil and gas career at Pioneer Natural Resources, where he accumulated operational expertise and deep knowledge of the Midland Basin resource base and operator landscape. His understanding of financial markets is enhanced by previous experience trading options and interest rates. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.
In 2019, he launched his latest initiative, the Drop Shot Series Tennis Tournaments, to give back to the larger community. The Drop Shot Series pro-tennis tournaments are set to help young athletes reach their full potential and support the Austin community.
He serves on the board of the Greater Austin Crime Commission and is a member of the Texas Business Leadership Council. Bryan is also a part-owner of MLS Austin FC, Austin’s professional soccer team.
Bryan is an avid tennis player who believes the game elevates families, athletes, and business alike. Bryan and his wife, Sharoll, have long shared a passion for animal rescue and wellness.
Christo Van Rensburg
Tournament Director
“There is something inspiring and motivational about watching a live match between professional athletes.
These tournaments create a fantastic live connection with the kid who wants to play tennis, the recreational player who will decide to try competing professionally and the former competitor who will be excited to get back into the game.
I am excited it’s happening here in Austin and that we are a part of it. “
Christo van Rensburg played tennis professionally from 1983 to 1997. He was ranked in the top 20 in the world in singles and reached # 1 in the world in doubles with partner Paul Annacone, the coach of Pete Sampras, Tim Henman and Roger Federer.
Christo had wins over Lendl, Connors, McEnroe, Becker, Sampras and Rafter in singles. He also competed in mixed doubles events where he teamed up with the likes of former #1, Martina Hingis and played his last professional match at Wimbledon in 1997 with former #1, Venus Williams. During his 15 years on the tour, Christo played in 14 Wimbledons during his pro career and an extra 3 years in the senior invitational event and during his career, he received 3 sportsmanship awards.
Christo and his wife Monica, with whom he reached the finals in the Players Championship reside in Austin, Texas. Their daughter, Briana, is a graduate of Texas A&M. He is the touring pro at the Omni Barton Creek Country Club Resort.