Tennis Briefs(4): Diversity Camp, USTA Aussie Open WC Challenge, More

USTA Florida One-Day Diversity Camp at Ft. Myers 

USTA Florida is hosting its fourth Development Camp for Diverse Backgrounds in 2016, and the last stop will be at the Barbara Manzo Tennis Center at the Three Oaks Park in Fort Myers on Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Some of the juniors who attended the camp before turning pro or becoming college stand-outs include Sloane Stephens, Victoria Duval, Sachia Vickery, and former University of Florida star Sekou Bangoura. USTA Florida is expecting to have close to 200 children between all four camps in 2016.

The camp is designed for junior tennis players age 12-18 who are currently participating in USTA tournaments, are looking to improve their game, learn about college scholarship opportunities and the latest in sports science and physical training.

“This will be the second year we are hosting more than one diversity camp to give more players around the state the opportunity to participate in this great learning experience,” says USTA Florida Player Development Coordinator Andy Gladstone. “The more players we can impact through the camps, the better it is for our sport and for the participants to improve in areas such as match play, strategy, and learning the amazing experiences they can have as college players.”

The cost for the one-day camp is $50. The fee includes drills, match play, a camp t-shirt, classroom improvement sessions for parents and players, and lunch. Registration for the camp close on Nov. 9.

To register or learn more go to https://www.ustaflorida.com/event/2016-diversity-camp-ft-myers/ or contact Andy Gladstone at Gladstone@ustaflorida.com.

USTA Pro Circuit to Determine American Wild Cards for 2017 Australian Open 

The United States Tennis Association will again in October and November use specific USTA Pro Circuit events to determine which American male and female players receive main draw wild cards into the 2017 Australian Open in Melbourne via the USTA Australian Open Wild Card Challenge.

Players who earn the most ATP World Tour and WTA ranking points at two of three select USTA Pro Circuit hardcourt events will earn wild cards into the 2017 Australian Open. The USTA and Tennis Australia share wild cards to the US Open and the Australian Open through a reciprocal agreement.

The challenge kicks off this week for the women at the $50,000 W.L. Amos Sr. Tennis Classic in Macon, Ga., followed by the $50,000 Copperwynd Pro Women’s Challenge in Scottsdale, Ariz., the week of Oct. 31, and the Bush’s $50,000 Waco Showdown in Waco, Texas, the week of Nov. 7.

The men’s challenge gets underway next week at the Charlottesville Men’s Pro Challenger in Charlottesville, Va., then moves to the Knoxville 2016 Challenger in Knoxville, Tenn., the week of Nov. 7, and concludes with the JSM Challenger of Champaign-Urbana in Champaign, Ill., the week of Nov. 14.

It is the third year for the USTA Australian Open Wild Card Challenge, and only Americans who do not earn direct entry into the Australian Open are eligible.

All six USTA Pro Circuit tournaments will be streamed live on www.procircuit.usta.com. The events can also be followed on the USTA Pro Circuit’s smartphone app by searching “procircuit” in the app store, and information on the Australian Open Wild Card Challenge can be found on Twitter through @USTAProCircuit.

Past Australian Open Wild Card Challenge Winners:

2015 — Noah Rubin, Samantha Crawford
2014 — Denis Kudla, Irina Falconi

The 2017 Australian Open will take place Jan. 16-29. For more info go to www.usta.com/news.

New Naples Tennis Charity Event in November at Academia Sachez-Casal, Naples YMCA

A new Naples charity tennis tournament spanning three weekends will kick off next month, benefiting both the Greater Naples YMCA and the Help a Diabetic Child Foundation.

The Inaugural Arthur Allen Fall Charity Tennis Tournament will begin its first round on Nov. 11, contested at the newly-renovated Greater Naples YMCA Tennis Center, and at the Academia Sanchez-Casal. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the two charities, with the remainder serving as prize money for top competitors.

“We are thrilled to be partnering again with the Help a Diabetic Child Foundation, and now the team at Sanchez-Casal to bring an extensive tournament here to Naples; and all for a good cause,” said YMCA President and CEO Paul Thein.

Nov. 9 is the entry deadline for the first round. Additional open and doubles tournament rounds will take place on the weekends of Nov. 18 and Dec. 2. To close out the series, a charity dinner will be open to all players and members of the community on Saturday, Dec. 3.

“This is a great opportunity for the Naples and Southwest Florida tennis community to get together and explore their passion for the game while supporting our local non-profits,” said Academia Sanchez-Casal CEO and Founder Emilio Sanchez Vicario.

For more info go to www.ustaflorida.com/event/the-arthur-allen-fall-charity-tennis-tournament or visit www.asc-florida.com/tournaments.

Hurricane Matthew Forces Reschedule of Tennis Technology Conference & Expo

Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) announced that due to the impact of Hurricane Matthew on Hilton Head Island, it has rescheduled its inaugural Tennis Technology Conference to May 4-5, 2017, at the Marriott Resort Hilton Head Island.

The Tennis Technology Conference will feature interactive sessions covering the latest developments in products and software to help tennis coaches and club directors and managers to integrate technology to run their businesses more effectively. Some of the topics that will be covered include: Software Integration for Clubs; Digital Marketing; Match Analysis Video Software; Teaching Apps; Green Initiatives; On Court Technology; Racquet Technology with Software Integration and more.

The Expo will allow coaches to learn about the various products and find what will work best for their specific needs and budget.  There will be the opportunity to demo on court as well. Show specials will offer great discounts to attendees.

“Staying ahead of the curve is vital,” said Dan Santorum, PTR, CEO. “That is why PTR has created the first tennis conference dedicated solely to the innovations and technology that will help grow the game.”

For additional info go to https://members.ptrtennis.org/MemberSite/Events/TTCE/TennisTechnologyConferenceExpo.aspx.