Tennis Briefs(3): TOPS’L Clay Chps., The Koz, Tallahassee Challenger on Horizon

Tallahassee Challenger to Determine U.S. French Open Wild Cards

The USTA Tallahassee Tennis Challenger is taking place for the 24th consecutive year — one of the longest-running USTA Pro Circuit events — on April 23-30, 2016, at the Forestmeadows Tennis Center.

Tallahassee is one of 14 USTA Pro Circuit men’s events held in Florida, and is the last of three consecutive men’s clay court tournaments (joining a $100,000 Challenger in Sarasota, Fla., and a $50,000 Challenger in Savannah, Ga.) that are part of the USTA Pro Circuit Roland Garros Wild Card Challenge, which will award a men’s and women’s wild card into the main draw of the 2016 French Open.

Along with these three men’s tournaments, the women’s tournaments that make up the challenge are the Hardee’s Pro Classic in Dothan, Ala., the week of April 18; the Boyd Tinsley Clay Court Classic in Charlottesville, Va., the week of April 25; and the Revolution Technologies Pro Tennis Classic in Indian Harbour Beach, Fla., the week of May 2.

The American man and American woman who earn the most ATP and WTA ranking points, respectively, at two of the three USTA Pro Circuit clay court events will receive USTA wild cards to compete in the main draws of the French Open. The USTA and the French Tennis Federation have a reciprocal agreement in which wild cards into the 2016 French Open and 2016 US Open are exchanged.

This tournament will be streamed live on www.procircuit.usta.com. To follow the tournament, download the USTA Pro Circuit’s phone app for smartphones and tablets by searching “procircuit” in the Apple and Google Play stores.

Notable players competing in Tallahassee include 2011 Tallahassee singles champion Donald Young, 2012 singles champion Tim Smyczek, 2015 Tallahassee singles finalist Frances Tiafoe, 2015 doubles champion Dennis Novikov, wild card Brian Baker, Noah Rubin, Tommy Paul, Ryan Harrison, Jared Donaldson, and current USTA Pro Circuit Roland Garros Wild Card Challenge leader Bjorn Fratangelo. Notable players competing in the qualifying include Stefan Kozlov, Michael Mmoh, Mitchell Krueger, Tennys Sandgren, and Alex Kuznetsov.

Past champions of the Tallahassee Challenger that went on to Grand Slam success include Robby Ginepri (2014), John Isner (2009), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2007), and Mardy Fish (2006).

For more info go to www.TallahasseeChallenger.com.

ATP Delray Beach Players, More Featured in Latest ‘Inside Tennis with The Koz’

The latest episode of “Inside Tennis with The Koz,” which premieres on Saturday, April 23 at 2:30 p.m. on the Suncoast News Network in Florida, is now available online.

The episode features a visit to the ATP Delray Beach Open with interviews of players Sam Querry, Austin Krajicek, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Rajeev Ram, Benjamin Becker and Noah Rubin, along with broadcasters Jimmy Arias, Fred Stolle and Ashley Fisher, journalist Cindy Shmerler, player agent Ken Merritt, USTA Florida Tennis Program Coordinator Shelly Licorish, and former ATP trainer Bill Norris.

“The April 23rd show also includes a sit-down interview with legendary Florida Tennis magazine founder and journalist Jim Martz, plus a pro tennis tip from University of Miami men’s head coach Mario Rincon,” says Dave “The Koz” Kozlowski.

Inside Tennis With The Koz presented by BMW of Sarasota airs every Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on SNN TV on the Suncoast of Florida.

Watch the latest episode here:

$10K USPTA TOPS’L Clay Court Championships in May

Center Court at TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort

TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort in Miramar Beach will host the $10,000 USPTA TOPS’L Clay Court Championships on May 14-16, 2016, with men’s and women’s singles and doubles in open, mixed, and 35-65 age divisions.

Only USPTA Members in good standing will be eligible to play the tournament. All membership requirements, including completion of the Certification Exam, must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the entry date of the USPTA tournament.

Tournament entry includes a Professional Development Seminar with guest speaker Bill Tym, USPTA Master Professional, on Saturday, May 14 from 8-9 a.m. A vendor showcase and player luncheon will also be held on Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with the player welcome party on Saturday night.

The deadline for entry is Friday, May 6 by 11:59 p.m. CT. A minimum of $10,000 in prize money will be allocated based on the number of entries in each event.

“We will offer first-match loser consolation in all events and prize money to consolation winners,” says Tournament Director Joe D’Aleo. “With $10,000 in prize money to be spread out throughout the divisions, I am hoping for a great turnout  from USPTA Florida professionals from across the state and the Southern Division as well.”

For resort reservations at TOPS’L call (800) 380-4808 and identify yourself as part of the TOPS’L USPTA Clay Court Championships, customer code A8007.

To register for the tournament or for more information go to http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=185552.