Last year, I suffered a back injury and didn't play as much as I would have liked, but even though I didn't play so much, I watched a LOT of tennis - on television, and, at the U.S. Open here in Flushing, LIVE! I thoroughly enjoyed watching Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga battle it out in the August heat, as well as catching my tennis crush, Fabio Fognini, on the courts there in 2011. (Ultimately, of course, it was Novak Djokovic who would prevail, but I'm rooting for Federer again this year!)
So imagine my surprise when I got an email the other day from a man from the USTA, who asked me whether I'd consider playing in the US Open National Playoffs. This is the relatively new way (in its third year) the USTA is reaching out to the general public, nationwide, to give any "non-pros" a chance at actually taking home the US Open trophy. I thought to myself, "Are you kidding me?" And immediately said YES!
Here's how it works (for the USTA Eastern Section, which includes New York - dates vary for other parts of the country, and more information can be found here: www.USOpen.org/NationalPlayoffs):
The US Open National Playoffs USTA Eastern Sectional Qualifying Tournament (a.k.a. "Qualies") will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY from June 11-17th. Depending on how well you do, the thirteen men's, women's and mixed doubles champions from each sectional qualifier advances on to the US Open National Playoffs Championships, in Men's or Women's Singles, and in Mixed Doubles. The prize for the winner of THAT tournament? Nothing less than a main draw wild card into the actual 2012 US Open, held the week before the US Open officially begins!
Now, anyone who's aged 14 and older can join in the fun, of any playing level. But to even have a remote shot at getting a few balls over the net, I opted to join forces with my TV and tennis pal, Chris Whipple, who's spent a lifetime producing great television, as well as great tennis - having once hit with the likes of Bjorn Borg! Currently a 5.0, Chris is sure to be my better half on the Mixed Doubles courts... as his serve can be pretty darn fierce, and his forehand turns into a fearhand pretty easily.
Keep in mind, we'll be playing against people who know their way around the courts: top-ranked juniors (over 14), college players, senior players (60 and up), tennis club teaching pros, former touring pros (whoa!), and, yes, people like us: weekend warriors.
And that's where YOU come in! You can join in the fun, too - there's one week left to register, as the deadline closes on Friday June 1st. All you have to do is have a current USTA membership valid through August 27, 2012 and pay the entry fee of $100- if you're playing singles, and $120- if you're playing mixed doubles. Then, you show up in Flushing on June 11th, armed with your racquets and ready to rumble!
Register here here by Friday June 1st, and don't even hesitate! It's a chance of a lifetime! (And hey, just think about tall that prize money!)
PS: Cheerleaders on June 11th to come watch us play are welcome! See you on the courts!
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