The Oracle Challenger Series is heading to Chicago this September

On Wednesday, Oracle announced that it will be adding a Chicago event to the Oracle Challenger Series.

Chicago has been deprived of professional tennis for over 20 years, but the Windy City will now have a World Team Tennis match, an ATP Challenger/WTA 125K Series and the Laver Cup to look forward to in 2018.

The Oracle Challenger will be held at XS Tennis Village in Washington Park. The facility is brand new, featuring 27 indoor and outdoor courts, a 10,000 square-foot gym and a 5,000 square-foot academic center.

“We’re adding Challenger tournaments because American tennis players need more chances to compete at home and make a career out of the sport,’’ Oracle CEO Mark Hurd said. “Oracle also wants to improve the quality of tennis. We’re deeply committed to the sport and as part of the new event in Chicago, we’re providing assistance to create better access for Americans to play tennis.’’

WATCH—Stories of the Open Era - International Tennis Hall of Fame:

The Oracle Challenger, played September 3-9, offers $150,000 in prize money to both the WTA and ATP draws, which feature 32 singles players, 16 qualifiers and 16 doubles teams.

Kamau Murray, Sloane Stephens' coach, is the mastermind behind XS Tennis Village. Murray is the President and CEO of XS Tennis Village and the Executive Director of of the XS Tennis and Education Foundation. The Oracle Challenger at his facility will be free to the public.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Oracle Challenger Series to Chicago this September,” Murray said. “We’re proud to work with Oracle on this great event and support the incredible work that they do to promote American tennis at all levels of the game. Their commitment to the sport goes hand-in-hand with our mission at XS to provide a positive pathway to future success through tennis.”

Stephens will also be bringing tennis to Chicago in her own right, as she'll be suiting up for the Philadelphia Freedoms—the World Team Tennis team owned by Billie Jean King—for a special match against the Washington Kastles on July 27.

The summer is always an exciting time for tennis in the United States—and finally, Chicago is going to be part of it.

Strokes of Genius is a world-class documentary capturing the historic 13-year rivalry between tennis icons Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It is timed for release as the anticipation crests with Roger as returning champion, 10 years after their famed 2008 Wimbledon championship – an epic match so close and so reflective of their competitive balance that, in the end, the true winner was the sport itself.

WATCH: NOW AVAILABLE AT THE ITUNES STORE