Tennis Briefs(3): ‘Masters’ Social; Har-Tru Wild Card Challenge; More

Belle Terre to Host Masters Tennis Short-court Social Event

The Belle Terre Swim & Racquet Club will host an introduction to Masters Tennis — the fun, short-court play option — with a Masters Tennis Social event on May 1, 2015, in Palm Coast, Fla., from 9-11 a.m., free and open to all players.

“Join USTA Florida for the Master Tennis Social event, with free food, beverages, raffle prizes and on-court play,” says USTA Florida Masters Tennis Coordinator Christine Murphy. “See how easy it is to play tennis with this new, fun, social format.”

The Masters Tennis format is played inside a 60-foot-lined court (within a regulation-size 78-foot court), using slightly slower and lower-bouncing “orange balls” that are not as difficult to get to. Easier on shoulders, elbows and wrists, Masters Tennis is bringing former players back to the game and introducing new players with the easy-to-learn yet competitive format.

The first 25 players to register for the Masters Tennis Social and attend will receive a US Open towel. All attendees will also be entered to win raffle prizes, including USTA memberships.

The Masters Tennis Social is a kick-off event leading into weekly play at Belle Terre. More information on weekly play opportunities will be available at the event.

Belle Terre Swim & Racquet Club is located at 73 Patricia Dr., Palm Coast, Fla.

For more information e-mail tennis@flaglerschools.com, or to register for the event go to www.eventbrite.com/e/masters-tennis-social-at-belle-terre-tickets-16083749929.

USTA Har-Tru Wild Card Challenge to Award French Open Wild Card

With the 2015 claycourt season underway on the ATP and WTA circuits, the USTA announced this week that the Har-Tru Wild Card Challenge will again determine one American USTA-designated men’s and women’s wild card each for the 2015 French Open.

The Har-Tru Wild Card Challenge tallies points from three women’s events and three men’s events on the USTA Pro Circuit to determine the wild card beneficiaries, with the men’s circuit kicking off this week and Sarasota, and the women’s this coming Monday in Dothan, Ala.

Other women’s events are in Charlottesville, Va., and Indian Harbour Beach, Fla., while the remaining men’s events are in Savannah, Ga., and at the Tallahassee Challenger in Florida.

Har-Tru Sports, the leading provider of clay tennis courts, is in its third year as title sponsor of the challenge. For a chance at winning $5,000, check out Har-Tru’s “Love Your Court, Love Your Game,” contest at www.loveyourcourt.com.

Only American players who did not otherwise earn direct entry into the French Open are eligible. The USTA and the French Tennis Federation have a reciprocal agreement in which wild cards into the 2015 French Open and 2015 US Open are exchanged.

All tournaments will be streamed live on www.procircuit.usta.com. Fans can also download the USTA Pro Circuit app by searching “procircuit” in the app store to follow the action on mobile devices.

For more info go to www.procircuit.usta.com.

USTA Partners with 4 NCAA Conferences for Tennis Match Broadcasts

The USTA has partnered with four NCAA Division I athletic conferences — the American Athletic Conference, Big 12, Mountain West and SEC — to deliver conference championship title matches across multiple television and digital viewing platforms.

“We’re so glad to be working with each of these four conferences,” said USTA Director of Collegiate Tennis Virgil Christian. “They have all shown a commitment to the continued effort to increase the relevance of tennis in collegiate athletics, and playing the no-ad format has proven to be drama-filled for both student-athletes and fans.”

Schedule of broadcasts:

American Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships
April 15-19; Host: University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Okla.
Title matches airing on: The American Digital Network (available on web, mobile, tablet and Roku devices)

Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships
April 23-26; Host: Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Title matches airing on: FOX Sports GO; FOX Sports 2

Mountain West Tennis Championships (Men’s, Women’s)
April 22-26; Host: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.
All tournament matches airing on: Mountain West Network

SEC Men’s Tennis Tournament
April 15-19; Host: Texas A&M, College Station, Texas
Title match airing on: SEC Network +

For more info go to www.usta.com.