Tennis Atlantic

One week from today, professional tennis returns to the Old Line State for an historic second time in a row. The US Open Wild Card Playoffs in College Park are really the official kick-off of the US Open itself. You know how the NCAA has their play-in games to open the Men’s basketball tournament every year? That’s exactly what is happening here: men and women playing simultaneously to enter the main draw at Flushing Meadows. The NCAA already calls their hoops playoffs ‘first round’ games. Perhaps in a few years, the US Open will follow suit.    

Just to make sure we had our facts straight, we called Marketing Director Reid Snyder at the Tennis Center in College Park. He confirmed that the exact same set-up as CitiOpen will be employed, including the lighted grandstand courts and the intimate 2,500 seat Center Court. Last week, the Bryan Brothers even used Center Court to shoot an instructional video while they were in town for the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. It wasn’t on the fly that the facility is going through its longest continuous run in the public eye. According to William Ellison of the TCCP, the line-up of events was put together in the very early spring.

Three players are yet to be named by USTA Player Development at this time. Snyder explained that decisions will be made very shortly, and the committee, led by Patrick McEnroe, are looking for top-level developing talent with a serious chance to make a run at the Open.  Local roots are not a factor, as this is a nation-wide talent search. Though not confirmed by the Tennis Center, it is believed that UVA-committed Mitchell Frank is still in contention to be selected.

The Wild Card Playoffs is a quick event, so plan now. 8 matches will be played next Thursday with the session beginning at 3:00 p.m. If you’re the type who likes to go to the US Open and see a lot of matches in the same day, then this is going to be your night.

Friday’s sessions are at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Each will include a men’s and women’s semifinal match,  with the late session to feature ‘marquis semifinals’.

Friday night’s ‘marquee semifinals’ means that the best match of the Playoffs might be held during that sessh, and matches will be selected by the USTA. Friday night also means barbeque and a carnival atmosphere, with celebrity team exhibitions, speed gun cages and lots of other family fun.

The two winners will be crowned on Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m. 

Tickets are very reasonable and available at 301-779-8000 or by emailing Reid Snyder at RSnyder@thetccp.com. Utes 11-18  get in for $10 each session and 10 and under are admitted free. USTA members receive a discount on all dates.  There is a charge for the barbecue event on Friday. 

Best of all, each ticket order entitles you to a drawing for door prizes. First prize is a 2011 US Open ticket mini-package and lodging. Second prize should really be the Grand Prize, though. Hall of Famer (and three-time Grand Slammer victor) Mats Wilander, a Senior Advisor at JTCC, will host an on-site clinic in your honor for you and five of your closest friends. The lucky winner’s fantasy clinic will likely be held in late September.