New York City has the U.S. Open this weekend. Atlanta has the Peach International Tennis Championships, which brings more than 200 gay and lesbian tennis players to two courts this weekend for ball-slamming action.

Matches started early this morning and continue through Monday afternoon. The Peach, the annual signature event from the Atlanta Team Tennis Association, provides a great chance to see some quality tennis for free.

Some 203 participants are registered for the Peach International Tennis Champion-ships, an event hosted by the Atlanta Team Tennis Association and one of the largest tournaments on the Gay & Lesbian Tennis Alliance circuit. Play opens in two facilities in DeKalb and Fulton counties on Aug. 29 and continues throughout the holiday weekend.

“There is going to be lots of great tennis going at all different levels and it’s a really fun time,” said Adam Helewski, the tournament’s director.

For more on the Peach, read my Southern Voice sports column.