August 24-27th at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York. What a fantastic idea and one which really offers tennis players of any level, from novice to aspiring pro, an amazing opportunity to compete with the top pros, even if they have never previously competed at that level. The US Open National Playoffs will also generate additional interest in both the Olympus US Open Series, as well as the US Open itself.

There will be sectional qualifying tournaments held across the United States in 16 of the 17 USTA sections from April through June. Players are allowed to enter any of the 16 sectional qualifying tournaments, but they can only enter and compete in one sectional qualifying tournament. Each of the sectional qualifying tournaments will be limited to 256 players and there will not be any seeds. The entry fee will be $125 and all players must also have a USTA membership valid through August 30, 2010. The men's and women's champions from each of the sectional qualifying tournaments will then advance to the Men's and Women's Championships which will be held in conjunction with Olympus US Open Series tournaments this summer.

Already, Bode Miller, a two-time overall World Cup champion, two-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time World Champion, has announced that he will compete in one of the sectional qualifying tournaments. He won the 1996 Maine state singles title for Carrabassett Valley Academy and his family owns the Tamarack Tennis Camp in Easton, New Hampshire, which was founded by his grandparents.

Registration began February 1st and the entry information and a schedule of US Open National Playoffs Sectional Qualifying Tournaments is available online.

Posted by TC at 11:27 AM |