College Park, Md., May 29, 2013 – The US Open National Playoffs return to the Tennis Center at College Park this weekend, with four days of qualifying tournaments for tennis hopefuls in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The tournament in College Park, held June 1 – June 4, is one of 13 regional qualifying events that allow any player 14 years of age or older to compete for a spot in the 2013 US Open. Winners of the men’s and women’s singles regional qualifying events will earn a chance to play in the US Open Qualifying Tournament, held the week prior to the US Open in August to earn a wild card spot in the tournament. US Open National Playoffs mixed doubles champions receive a wild card spot in the 2013 US Open, the final grand slam of the tennis season.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to host the sectional qualify tournament again this year and give players all ages a chance to potentially play at the US Open,” said Ray Benton, chief executive officer of the Junior Tennis Champions Center at College Park. “This event broadens the reach of our sport and gets local tennis fans excited about the US Open.”
More than 1,200 players competed in the 2012 US Open National Playoffs, ranging from experienced professionals who were once ranked in the Top 50 to upcoming junior players, to current and former college standouts to recreational players of all playing abilities and walks of life. Participants included those competing for charities as well as pastors, musicians, lawyers, reporters and stay-at-home moms. Former notable participants include Olympic skier Bode Miller and ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, who teamed with six-time US Open champion Chris Evert in mixed doubles.
“The USTA Mid-Atlantic Section is excited to have such a prestigious event in our region,” said USTA Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Rod Dulany. “The Junior Tennis Champions Center is a spectacular venue and the wildcard tournament provides a great opportunity for our local players to compete and dream big.”
The finalists from each sectional qualifying tournament will advance to the US Open National Playoffs Men’s and Women’s Singles Championship, held August 16-19, and the Mixed Doubles Championship, held August 21-24. All three tournaments will take place in conjunction with the New Haven Open at Yale University.
