2021 Mercer Tennis Classic Qualifying Finals on Tuesday, Main Draws Released
10/18/2021 8:42:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Mercer Pair in Doubles Draw
MACON, Ga -Â The Mercer Tennis Classic got underway Monday morning as singles qualifying started on four courts. Matches will be held Oct. 18-24 at the John Drew Smith Tennis Center in Macon. The 2021 draws have been released.
"Looks like great weather all week and especially nice to see fans out enjoying the tennis," stated Tournament Director and Mercer Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, Eric Hayes.Â
The first round of singles qualifying was completed on Monday with most of the favorites advancing. Americans Hanna Chang, Danielle Lao, Alycia Parks and Whitney Osuigwe all advanced.Â
Of special note, a doubles team with a Mercer University flavor makes a main draw appearance on Tuesday. Mercer player Mary Courville is teaming with Mercer Graduate Assistant Andrea Garcia Fernandez and they play a Chinese duo on Tuesday afternoon. Garcia Fernandez is one of the most successful players in Florida State history. She made FSU history with 206 career wins and was the first FSU player ever with 100 wins in singles and doubles. She is one of just three players in program history to be in the Top 6 for career wins in singles and doubles.
The women's event will feature a 32-player singles qualifying draw, a 32-player singles main draw and a 16-team doubles draw with a field made up of well-known professional players as well as up-and-coming junior tennis stars.
Singles qualifying will take place on four courts at John Drew Smith starting Monday at 10am
With a WTA ranking of 208, American Robin Anderson is the top seed in qualifying.Â
There are 17 Americans participating in the singles qualifying.
Players must win two rounds to earn a spot in the main draw, which begins on Wednesday!
Notes:
Play is scheduled to begin at 10 am each day.
19-year old American, Caty McNally reached the 3rd round of the US Open singles in 2020 and the finals of the US Open doubles in 2021, with Coco Gauff.
New for 2021 are night matches during the week. (Please check the order of play each day for specific matches and times.)
Tuesday October 19 - Mercer Night with free admission with Mercer ID
Wednesday October 20 - Macon Tennis Legends Night
Thursday October 21 - Hero's Night - Honoring NJTL, Autism Awareness and Veterans
Now in its ninth year and fifth year as an W80 event, the Mercer Tennis Classic will once again feature many of the best women tennis players in the world. It is the second biggest professional tournament in the state of Georgia in terms of prize money (ATP World Tour 250 event - Truist Atlanta Open in July, is the largest). It is also the longest running professional women's tennis tournament in the state of Georgia. The event has been showcased on the Tennis Channel.
Tickets will be available onsite and online this year. $5 per day and $20 for the entire week.
The Mercer Tennis Classic has featured players with major titles, including 2014 Macon singles champ, Kateryna Bondarenko, of Ukraine, and her sister, Alona, who she teamed with to win the 2008 Australian Open Doubles title, and 2010 French Open singles champion Francesca Schiavone, of Italy, who was the tournament's top seed in 2018.
The event will adhere to all government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions.
This tournament will be streamed live on www.usta.com/procircuit.Â
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 John Drew Smith Tennis Center
The John Drew Smith Tennis Center (JDSTC) is regarded as one of the top 25 public municipal facilities in the nation by Tennis Magazine and the United States Tennis Association. It has 24 tennis courts, 6 pickleball courts, a beautiful observation deck and pro shop. The facility is a haven for programming for juniors, adults, and everyone in the community. John Drew Smith Tennis Center is renowned for hosting local, state, and national tennis events. Tennis players not only from the state of Georgia but all over the country, are familiar with JDS. Almost every competitive junior player from the state of Georgia in the last 30 years has played at this renowned facility. The activity is so extensive and the atmosphere is so conducive to tennis that, in 2005, Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) named John Drew Smith Tennis Center the Municipal Facility of the Year.
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
