Preparations Underway for 2016 W.L. Amos Sr. Tennis Classic

MACON, Ga. - In less than five weeks, some of the top women professional tennis players in the world will be returning to the courts of Mercer University's Leroy Peddy Tennis Center.

It's the W.L. Amos Sr. Tennis Classic, a USTA Pro Circuit 50K event, now in its fourth year where once again there will be a 32 player singles draw and 16 doubles teams. The opening weekend, a 32 player qualifying draw will play down to four main draw singles qualifiers.

As in the past, players in the top-100 are expected to come to Macon to play for $50,000 in prize money and valuable WTA ranking points.

Past players include many current top-100 players including: Madison Brengle, Shelby Rodgers, Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, Nicole Gibbs, Louisa Chirico and 2015 champ Kateryna Bondarenko. It's also a tournament where many top junior players get their start on the professional stage. The entry list will be announced about three weeks before the tournament starts.

"We are so thankful to all the sponsors for making this tournament a reality each year as it demonstrates the popularity and support Macon and the surrounding areas have for tennis," said tournament director, Eric Hayes, also the Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Mercer University.

Hayes says he is always looking for additional partners for the tournament and there still is time to get involved.

"It has been great to see the entire Macon tennis community get behind the tournament and interact with the players," adds Hayes. "Talking to the players, I think they had even more fun than the fans, especially with the tournament now being held on campus. We need to continue getting that support and then keep building on it."

Many players that have played in Macon have spent time in the top-100 in the world and 20 former "Classic" players were in the main draw at the U.S. Open in New York, last month. Highlights of the week include the Pro Am and Player/Sponsor party and the visits players make to local schools to promote tennis as a lifetime sport and the professional event.

Volunteers will be needed once again. Call Mercer tennis coach and tournament director Eric Hayes at (478) 301-2269.

About the Leroy Peddy Tennis Center
The LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center is the home for Mercer University men's and women's tennis. The facility is located just inside the South campus entrance, nestled among its pine tree lined western perimeter and adjacent to MU's softball stadium and practice fields. The Center features a total of eight courts, aligned in a picturesque bi-level configuration (four courts each on the upper and lower tiers). The lighted venue also has ample parking and seating for fans on either level and a park-like walkway for access between the two sections.

About the USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. In celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2014, the USTA Pro Circuit provides players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. John Isner, Maria Sharapova, Sam Querrey, Sloane Stephens, Mardy Fish, Victoria Azarenka and Andy Murray are among today's top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.

The W.L. Amos Sr. Foundation
The W.L. Amos Sr. Foundation is the title sponsor of the tournament

Middle Georgia Tennis Foundation
The mission of the Middle Georgia Tennis Foundation is to raise funds to support tennis programs, especially youth programs in Middle Georgia.

Mercer University Athletics

Preparations Underway for 2016 W.L. Amos Sr. Tennis Classic

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