Aspiring Tennis Stars Come to Alpharetta for Chance to Play in US Open

Do you have what it takes to compete in the US Open, one of the Grand Slam tournaments in tennis? Your chance to find out is coming to Alpharetta’s this summer.

The USTA Southern Section picked Windward Lake Club to host the US Open National Playoffs USTA Southern Section Qualifying Tournament July 1-6. The US Open National Playoffs provides the opportunity for all players 14 years of age and older, regardless of playing level, to earn a chance to compete in the US Open.

Amy Riley, the Lake Windward Club manager, said Sandy Hastings of the USTA Southern Section called and asked if the club would be interested in hosting this tournament.

“It is a great honor to have been asked to host this prestigious tournament and to be a part of the U.S.Open,” Riley said. “It will be the largest adult event we have ever run. Our club members will be excited to have it here and we hope some will participate in it.”

“The great thing is that anyone over 14 years old can participate. We expect many local teaching pros, collegiate players, and top juniors will participate as well as USTA and ALTA recreational players,” Riley said.

Though the Windward Lake Club didn’t host the sectional tournament last year, there was a connection in 2010. Riley said Samantha Powers won the women’s singles tournament last year. She is coached by Torrey Hawkins, one of the club’s academy directors.

Riley said the tournament should have a high level of play daily, with a stronger draw because it will be held in July. Last year’s tournament was held in May, when most of the collegiate players were not available.

Tennis fans can watch all of the action for free, including the finals, Riley said.

For players, registration for each of the 16 sectional qualifying tournaments begins on March 15 at www.usta.com/tennislink. The entry fee for each of the sectional qualifying tournaments is $125 for singles and $150 for each mixed doubles team ($75 per player). All players competing must have a current USTA membership valid through Aug. 29.

The US Open National Playoffs will again operate as a series of sectional qualifying tournaments, held in 16 USTA Sections throughout the country, including Alpharetta.  The 16 men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed doubles champions from each sectional will advance to the US Open National Playoffs. From there, the men’s and women’s singles champions earn a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, held one week prior to the US Open. The mixed doubles champions receive a main draw wild card into the 2011 US Open.

The US Open Qualifying Tournament will be held Aug. 23-26 and the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship begins Aug. 31 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. The 2011 US Open begins on Aug. 29.