Topnotch Management - News

Tennis Star J.J. Wolf to Serve as Great American Insurance Group Global Ambassador

7/13/2021

Cincinnati, OH (July 13, 2021) – ATP star J.J. Wolf has announced a global sponsorship by Great American Insurance Group, whose member companies are subsidiaries of American Financial Group, a Fortune 500 company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The announcement comes on the heels of Wolf’s career-best year, where he won two ATP Challenger Tour titles and reached the third round of the US Open.

Topnotch Management announces Tennis in the Land

4/12/2021

Our new WTA 250 event in Cleveland garnered some local and international media attention.

US Open Series announcement
Sports Business Journal: New WTA event in Cleveland to slot nicely into the flow to U.S. Open
Crain's Cleveland Business (subscribers-only article)
News 5 Cleveland: Cleveland WTA 250 bringing professional tennis to Flats West Bank this summer
Fox 8 Cleveland: Professional women’s tennis tournament making its home in Cleveland
Cleveland.com: Pro tennis comes to CLE: Cleveland WTA 250 at Flats West Bank Aug. 22-28

The Cleveland Open prepares for a third year

2/18/2021

Cleveland, OH (February 18th, 2021) - Professional tennis returns to Cleveland this March 15–20, with the third annual Cleveland Open, an ATP Challenger Tour event. The event is managed by Topnotch Management and has established itself as a staple of the Cleveland winter sports calendar, welcoming some of the top tennis players in the world to the Cleveland Racquet Club over the past few years.

Crain's Cleveland: Cleveland-based Topnotch Management hoping to bring a WTA tournament to the Flats in August

1/11/2021

Crain's Cleveland covered our bid to host a WTA 250 event in Cleveland in August 2021.

Read the article (Crain's subscribers only)

2020 in review

12/11/2020

A year no one could have predicted, 2020 was certainly an exciting one for Topnotch Management. From growing our team to managing three highly successful events and seeing great results from our clients around the world, there was no shortage of highlights in a year full of surprises.

Topnotch Management signs Chris O'Connell

10/19/2020

Cleveland, OH (October 20, 2020) – Sports management company Topnotch Management announced today the signing of Australian tennis player Chris O’Connell, to a global representation agreement. The 26 year-old, reached a career high of 111 in the ATP rankings in 2020, and is looking to continue his momentum into the 2021 season. The Sydney resident will be managed by agent Alex Guthrie.

“We got to know Chris when he came through town for the Cleveland Open event”, said Guthrie. “He brings a lot of professionalism to the table and he’s demonstrated that he has the talent to win matches at the top level. For us, Chris represents our first Australian client and we’re excited to work with him in a new market as we help Chris continue his success.”

Excelerate America: “A Covid-Era Refresh”

10/6/2020

Excelerate America discusses our MatchPlay120 event with Kyle Ross.

read the article

“MatchPlay was an ambitious project,” said Kyle, adding, “It was the longest-running, continuous new sporting event during the pandemic.”

Sam Duvall makes Crain's Cleveland 40 under 40 list

9/14/2020

Congratulations to our President and Founder, Sam Duvall, for making Crain's Cleveland's Forty under 40 list in 2020.

“Crain’s 40 Under Forty honorees are, in a word, leaders. They are making a difference in their companies and their communities. Chosen by our editorial team to represent a range of businesses and backgrounds, these 40 are committed to the future of Northeast Ohio. They range from professionals to entrepreneurs to community servants. And in a year that has been like no other with the COVID-19 pandemic, many have stepped up in immeasurable ways. All of the honorees are under 40, which means they are just beginning to make an impact in the region. Their future — and, in turn, the region’s — is bright.”

Since launching in 2016, Topnotch Management, Sam Duvall’s company, has created and managed tennis events, acquired a soccer agency and opened an indoor golf facility. The prominent tennis agent also has a 50-50 stake in a Vermont-based tennis tourism business and has a small golf and tennis retail operation on Larchmere Boulevard in Cleveland. ... Through the multiple sports and different arms of the business, Duvall displays “razor-sharp” instincts” that enable Topnotch “to take calm, decisive action,” said Kyle Ross, who runs public relations and events for the company.

See all the 2020 honorees

KATRINA SCOTT'S GRAND SLAM DEBUT

9/1/2020

Several news outlets covered Katrina Scott's US Open debut.

BASELINE: Teenager Katrina Scott gears up for Grand Slam debut
Los Angeles Times: Katrina Scott trying to make a name (and bio) for herself at US Open
The New York Times: Katrina Scott wasn't supposed to reach the US Open. She's in the second round.

Adidas: Building a legacy off the court

Scott is giving the WTA plenty of material to use in her bio besides the basic facts that she’s 5 feet 11, turned 16 in June, plays right-handed, and was born and grew up in Woodland Hills.

Her new bio should begin with Scott winning her first-round match at the U.S. Open, a 7-6 (3), 6-2 decision over Natalia Vikhlyantseva of Russia on Tuesday.

Topnotch Management signs Maria Mateas

8/26/2020

Cleveland, OH (August 26, 2020) – Sports management company Topnotch Management announced today the signing of rising tennis star Maria Mateas to a global representation agreement. The 21 year-old, who reached a career high of 284 in the WTA rankings, is coming off a strong year at Duke University and signed with Topnotch amongst considerable agency interest. The Durham, NC resident will be managed by agent James Beres.