Event at the Norcross, Ga., Facility to Include Exhibition Featuring
Bob and Mike Bryan, Mardy Fish and John Isner
John Isner, Christina McHale Won Last Year’s Playoffs
and Earned Berths into 2009 Australian Open
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 23, 2009 -- The USTA announced today that it is partnering with T&S Events to host its 2010 Australian Open wild card playoffs during the 2009 Infinite Energy Atlanta Challenge held at the Racquet Club of the South in Norcross, Ga., December 4-7. The event will feature an exhibition match on December 4, with the wild card playoffs commencing the next day.
Through a reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia, the two national tennis federations exchange wild cards for the 2010 Australian Open and 2009 US Open. John Isner and Christina McHale earned wild card berths into the 2009 Australian Open men’s and women’s singles main draw events last December at the USTA’s wild card playoffs, which were held at the USTA Training Center Headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla.
“USTA Player Development is excited to be partnering with T&S Events to stage these playoffs for Americans to earn wild cards into the main draw of the 2010 Australian Open,” said Patrick McEnroe, General Manager, USTA Player Development. “This will be a great opportunity to showcase the talents of some of our top players in Atlanta at one of our new USTA Certified Regional Training Centers, the Racquet Club of the South.”
In addition to the wild card playoffs, the event will also feature an exhibition on Friday, December 4, featuring 7-time Grand Slam doubles champions Bob and Mike Bryan, Mardy Fish and John Isner. Those four will also participate in exhibitions in Pelham, Ala., and Chattanooga, Tenn., on Dec. 2-3 in an effort to promote the event across the South.
“Atlanta tennis fans are starving for live professional tennis and this tournament will showcase some of the best tennis in the world, “said Trevor Short, President, T&S Events. “The 2009 Infinite Energy Atlanta Challenge, featuring both the wild card playoffs and the special exhibition, is one of the most unique events in the world and T&S Events is very excited for the opportunity to host it in Atlanta.”
Competitors for the wild card playoffs will be named following the 2009 US Open.