Mercer Tennis Classic: Qualifying Play Begins Sunday at 10am

MACON, Ga. - Qualifying play begins Sunday morning at 10am at Mercer University for the 2018 edition of the Mercer Tennis Classic, a USTA Pro Circuit women's 80K event running through Sunday October 23.

The qualifying draw is comprised of 32 players. Players must win three matches in qualifying to reach the main draw,

South Africa's Chanel Simmonds is the top seed in qualifying. She takes on Hailey Baptiste at 10am. Other featured matches include a battle of American former college players, Ingrid Neel against Sanaz Marand. Four courts will have tournament play on Sunday.

There are 18 Americans in the singles qualifying draw.

Local player, Victoria Mulville was awarded a wildcard to play Sunday and she'll be in action, not before 1pm on Court 1.

In addition to the qualifying draw, there is a 32 person singles main draw and a 16 team doubles draw featuring players ranked in the top-100 in the world.

"This event couldn't grow without efforts from everyone in the Macon tennis community, volunteers, Mercer University and everyone else involved over the past five years," said Hayes.

Tennis Channel will cover the singles semifinals and finals live on air and its platforms.

"It's a testament to how much our event has grown and the quality of field we get each year that the Tennis Channel would want to come to Macon and show live coverage. This is unprecedented coverage and exposure for not only Mercer, but for the city of Macon and Middle Georgia."

Now in its sixth year and second year as an 80K event, the Mercer Tennis Classic will once again showcase a 32 player singles draw and 16 doubles teams in Macon. It's eight days of fan friendly tennis and now the second biggest professional tournament in the state of Georgia in terms of prize money (ATP World Tour 250 event - BB&T Atlanta Open in July is largest). It is also the longest running professional women's tennis tournament in the state of Georgia.

The Mercer Tennis Classic has featured players with major titles. 2014 Macon singles champ, Kateryna Bondarenko, of Ukraine, and her sister, Alona, teamed with to win the 2008 Australian Open Doubles title. The Bondarenko Sisters have played doubles in Macon. In 2017, 2010 French Open singles champion, Francesca Schiavone of Italy was the top seed and advanced to the second round.

Players come to Macon to play for $80,000 in prize money, valuable WTA ranking points and in the past, a spot in the first major of 2018, the Australian Open in Melbourne. A women's wild card will be awarded to the American with the highest cumulative total of WTA singles ranking points earned from their best three results during four weeks, at three $80,000 USTA Pro Circuit women's events (main draw points only) and one WTA $125,000 event (main draw and qualifying points).
Only Americans who do not earn direct entry into the Australian Open are eligible. In the event of a tie, the player with the best ATP or best WTA singles ranking on Nov. 19 will be awarded the wild card.

This year, a minimum of 20 former Macon participants were in the main draw at the first three majors

Highlights of the week include the Tuesday Pro Am and Player/Sponsor party, and an annual event with free lessons, food and more. Also the players will make visits to area schools to promote tennis as a lifetime sport and the professional event.

Media alert: On Monday night, October 22, a special ceremony and clinic will be held in honor of Robin Bateman. Bateman is the longtime tennis coordinator at Tattnall Square Tennis Center. The ceremony will be held at Mercer University's Leroy Peddy Tennis Center, starting at 5:30 pm. Following the ceremony there will be drills with professionals in the USTA Pro Circuit events and pizza.

Tournament volunteers are needed and any help is always appreciated. 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). With a digital scoreboard featuring real-time scoring of matches, 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. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit in 1979 to provide 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. Victoria Azarenka, Eugenie Bouchard, John Isner, Madison Keys, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori, Sam Querrey and Caroline Wozniacki are among today's top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.

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.

For more information:
On-site PR contact: Rick Limpert (209) 920-7425 or email: Rick.Limpert@gmail.com
Website: www.ustamaconclassic.com
Twitter: @USTAMacon80K
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaconTennisClassic/
Instagram: wl_amos_tennis
Hashtags: #USTAProCircuit #MercerTennisClassic

Mercer Tennis Classic: Qualifying Play Begins Sunday at 10am

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors

Footer