Tournament Reports
Welcome Letter and Tournament Information
|
Player Requirements:
All players are required to complete a "US Open National Playoffs Player Release and Consent Form" prior to the player's first match. Please click more information to download the Release and Consent Form.
more info
|
Host Hotel:
DoubleTree Hotel Springfield
2431 N Glenstone Ave
Springfield, MO 65803
417-831-3131
Event Rate: $94 (Rate has been extended, please book by May 5, 2010 for the event rate)
Must mention group name: USTA MO Valley - May 2010 for the event rate.
more info
|
Player Eligibility:
By nature of the US Open National Playoffs concept, the Sectional Qualifying Tournaments are as inclusive and open as possible with the following guidelines & restrictions in place: • Players must be 14 years of age or older (as of 8/30/10). • Open to Amateurs and Professionals. • U.S. citizenship is not required. • No domicile restrictions for players. • A player must be a current USTA member and must maintain his/her membership through and inclusive of August 30, 2010. • All players must be in good standing with the ITF. • Able/non-able bodied players may compete and shall abide by their respective rules of play. • A player may only enter and compete in one (1) Sectional Qualifying Tournament during a calendar year. • Participation in the US Open National Playoffs will not impact a player’s ability to secure a 2010 US Open Qualifying or Main Draw Wild Card or receive a Direct Acceptance into the 2010 US Open.
|
Match Format:
All US Open National Playoffs matches will be singles only with a single elimination draw played to the best-of-three tiebreak sets. If the Referee needs to take steps to shorten the tournament (i.e. due to inclement weather, health concerns, or safety concerns) to keep the tournament on schedule, the event may switch to any other scoring method (i.e., No-Ad Scoring, 10-Point Match Tiebreak in lieu of final set or Pro Sets) with prior approval by the National Tournament Director or authorized representative.
|
Seeding/Draw Size:
The draw size at each Sectional Qualifying Tournament will be a maximum of two hundred and fifty six (256). Tournaments may not cap the draw size below the two hundred and fifty six (256) maximum. Players competing in a Sectional Qualifying Tournament will not be seeded by any means. The draw at each tournament will take place no later than two (2) days prior to the start of the tournament. The draw size at the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s Championship and US Open National Playoffs – Women’s Championship will be a maximum of seventeen (17) but dependent on the number of Sectional Qualifying Tournaments. The top four (4) players competing in a US Open National Playoffs Championship will be seeded using their international professional computer rankings (if any). If less than four (4) players with international professional computer rankings are competing in a US Open National Playoffs Championship, then only those ranked will be seeded.
|
USTA Membership Requirement:
All players competing in a Sectional Qualifying Tournament must be current members of the USTA and their membership must be valid through 8/30/10. Players who need a USTA membership or need to renew their existing membership will be directed to do so during the online registration process for the tournament. Adult players (i.e., participants 19 years of age and older) will be offered an Introductory Rate one-year membership for $30.00. Players age 18 and younger will be offered a one-year Junior membership for $19.00. New/renewed memberships shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of submission. Players can compete in any Sectional Qualifying Tournament regardless of their membership section.
|
Entry Process:
After entry has been closed, the tournament shall run the “Lottery Selection Process” via TennisLink which will automatically accept all entries if the total number of entries into the tournament is less than or equal to two hundred and fifty six (256). If the total number of entries into the tournament is greater than two hundred and fifty six (256), then the “Lottery Selection Process” will automatically determine accepted online entries at random. A player’s entry fee will only be processed if he/she is accepted into the tournament. All players accepted into the tournament will receive an email notification via TennisLink indicating as such and will be posted online once the “Lottery Selection Process” is run. All players not accepted into the tournament will receive an email notification via TennisLink indicating as such once the “Lottery Selection Process” is run. The draw will take place no later than two (2) days prior to the start of the tournament. Entries will not be refused on the basis of race, creed, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. A player may enter only one (1) Sectional Qualifying Tournament. However, if a player is not accepted in a Sectional Qualifying Tournament once the “Lottery Selection Process” is run, then the player will have the ability to enter another Sectional Qualifying Tournament that still has open registration (if any). If a player withdraws from a previously entered Sectional Qualifying Tournament prior to the entry close date, then the player will have the ability to enter another Sectional Qualifying Tournament that still has open registration (if any). If a player withdraws from a previously entered Sectional Qualifying Tournament after the entry close date, then the player will not have the ability to enter another Sectional Qualifying Tournament that still has open registration (if any). All players are required to complete a “US Open National Playoffs Player Release and Consent Form” prior to the player’s first match. The release can be downloaded during the registration process. Players will be asked for this form upon check-in at the tournament.
|
Player Withdrawal:
A player may withdraw online before the entry close date without penalty as a player’s entry fee will only be processed once the “Lottery Selection Process” is run through TennisLink after the entry close date and he/she is accepted into the tournament. A player may not withdraw online after the entry close date. If a player withdraws after the entry close date by contacting the Tournament Director, he/she is not entitled to receive a refund. A player should not withdraw from a Sectional Qualifying Tournament except for illness, injury, personal emergency, or previously authorized entry into another tournament.
|
Match Officials:
The regulations for the US Open National Playoffs are The Rules of Tennis as published by the International Tennis Federation (ITF Rules of Tennis). Early rounds of each Sectional Qualifying Tournament will be player-officiated with a minimum of one (1) Roving Umpire for every three (3) courts in use plus one (1) Referee or one (1) Deputy Referee present at all times while matches are in progress to handle player disputes. Players shall follow The Code in all player-officiated matches. Each quarterfinal match will be officiated by a Chair Umpire plus three (3) Line Umpires each semifinal and final match will be officiated by a Chair Umpire plus five (5) Line Umpires. All matches at the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s Championship and US Open National Playoffs – Women’s Championship will be officiated by a Chair Umpire plus five (5) Line Umpires. Electronic review will not be used at any Sectional Qualifying Tournament.
|
Match Rest Periods:
At the end of each set at all Sectional Qualifying Tournaments, there will be a set break of one hundred and twenty (120) seconds. The minimum rest between matches will be sixty (60) minutes which may be extended by the on-site Referee at his/her discretion. No player will play more than two (2) singles matches per day. A match will neither start nor a suspended match resume before 8 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
|
Ball Type/Ball Policy:
Wilson is the official ball of the US Open National Playoffs and Sectional Qualifying Tournaments. The number of balls for play at each Sectional Qualifying Tournament match is four (4). Ball changes during the early rounds will take place at the beginning of the third set. Ball changes during each quarterfinal, semifinal, and final match will be at nine & eleven. Players at Sectional Qualifying Tournaments are not guaranteed balls for practice.
|
Prize Money/Awards:
Given the amateur status and/or age of players eligible to compete in the US Open National Playoffs and Sectional Qualifying Tournaments, prize money will not be awarded at any Sectional Qualifying Tournament, the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s Championship or US Open National Playoffs – Women’s Championship. The winner and runner-up of each Sectional Qualifying Tournament will receive a trophy and the winner will receive an invitation to compete in their respective US Open National Playoffs Championship. Should the winner of a Sectional Qualifying Tournament elect not to compete in the US Open National Playoffs Championship for any reason, the runner-up of the respective Sectional Qualifying Tournament will be invited to attend. Should the runner-up elect not to compete in the US Open National Playoffs Championship for any reason, the tournament will waive their Sectional Qualifying Tournament spot in the respective US Open National Playoffs Championship. There will be no additional entry fee required for the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s Championship or US Open National Playoffs – Women’s Championship. All players competing in a US Open National Playoffs Championship will be responsible for all costs and expenses associated with their participation (e.g., travel, accommodations, meals, etc.).
|
Anti-Doping:
The USTA believes that the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with and contrary to the best interests of the sport. While the USTA is committed to ensuring a fair and drug-free competition, Sectional Qualifying Tournaments will not require or administer any drug testing. Players and Tournament Officials participating in the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s Championship or US Open National Playoffs – Women’s Championship may be required to undergo drug testing at the respective tournament. Players who receive a wild card entry into the 2010 US Open Qualifying Tournament through the US Open National Playoffs may be required to undergo drug testing either as a result of governmental or other binding regulations imposed upon the event, or as a result of a drug testing program that is approved and applicable to all players competing in the 2010 US Open.
|
Anti-Gaming:
All players competing in the US Open National Playoffs and individuals associated with the operation and/or management of the US Open National Playoffs must refrain from participating in or aiding and abetting, directly or indirectly, any form of gambling or betting on the outcome of any tennis match staged in connection with any professional tennis event, including but not limited to all events associated with the US Open National Playoffs and other USTA events.
|
Notes:
This tournament is part of the US Open National Playoffs – a series of tournaments that gives any person 14 years of age or older who meets the eligibility requirements the opportunity to earn a singles wild card entry to compete in the US Open Qualifying Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, August 24-27, 2010. Participating USTA sections will run a men’s and women’s Sectional Qualifying Tournament between April 1 and July 5. Players will compete in a single elimination singles draw played to the best-of-three tiebreak sets. Players in the draw will not be seeded by any means. The winner of each men’s and women’s Sectional Qualifying Tournament will advance to the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s and Women’s Championship which will be held in conjunction with Olympus US Open Series Tournaments this summer. Dates and locations of these events will be announced shortly. At each US Open National Playoffs Championship, a maximum of 16 players will compete in a single elimination singles draw played to the best-of-three tiebreak sets with the one male winner and one female winner receiving a singles wild card entry to compete in the 2010 US Open Qualifying Tournament. Go to usopen.org for additional information. Good luck!
|
Player Selection Type:
After entry has been closed, the tournament director will accept all entries if the total number of entries into the tournament is less than or equal to 256. If the total number of entries into the tournament is greater than 256, then an automated lottery system will be used to determine accepted online entries. If a lottery system is used, online entries will be drawn electronically at random. A player's entry fee will only be processed if he/she is accepted into the tournament. All players accepted into the tournament will be posted online no later than five (5) days prior to the start of the tournament.
|
Entry Type:
Entry to this tournament is open to all USTA members. Entries must be submitted by Saturday, May 1, 2010 11:59:00 PM Eastern Time. Only USTA members can register online if available.
|
Quick Reference:
In the future, you can jump straight to this tournament by entering the tournament identification number: 405007010 from the searchable schedule homepage.
|
All players are required to complete a "US Open National Playoffs Player Release and Consent Form" prior to the player's first match. Click here to download and print a PDF file of the form. You will be asked for this form upon check-in at the tournament so please bring the completed form with you.
|
This tournament is part of the US Open National Playoffs - a
series of tournaments that gives any person 14 years of age or
older who meets the eligibility requirements the opportunity to
earn a singles wild card entry to compete in the US Open Qualifying
Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,
August 24-27, 2010. Participating USTA sections will run a men's
and women's Sectional Qualifying Tournament between April 1 and
July 5. Players will compete in a single elimination singles draw
played to the best-of-three tiebreak sets. Players in the draw will
not be seeded by any means. The winner of each men's and women's
Sectional Qualifying Tournament will advance to the US Open
National Playoffs - Men's and Women's Championships held at the
first men's and women's tournaments of the 2010 Olympus US Open
Series. The Atlanta Athletic Club in Atlanta, GA will host the
Men's Championship, July 22-25 during the Atlanta Tennis
Championships and the Taube Family Tennis Stadium at Stanford
University in Stanford, CA will host the Women's Championship, July
29-August 1, during the Bank of the West Classic. At each US Open
National Playoffs Championship, a maximum of 16 players will
compete in a single elimination singles draw played to the
best-of-three tiebreak sets with the one male winner and one female
winner receiving a singles wild card entry to compete in the 2010
US Open Qualifying Tournament. Go to usopen.org for additional
information. Good luck!
The tournament director will run a "Lottery Selection Process" via TennisLink within 24 hours after the entry close date which will automatically accept all entries if the total number of entries into the tournament is less than or equal to 256 for men's singles, less than or equal to 256 for women's singles, and less than or equal to 128 teams for mixed Doubles; and, if applicable, less than or equal to 128 teams for men's doubles, and less than or equal to 128 teams for women's doubles. If the total number of entries into the tournament is greater than the above, then the "Lottery Selection Process" will determine accepted entries at random. A player's entry fee will only be processed if he/she is accepted into the tournament. All players accepted into the tournament will receive an email notification via TennisLink indicating as such and will be posted online once the "Lottery Selection Process" is run. All players not accepted into the tournament will receive an email notification via TennisLink indicating as such once the "Lottery Selection Process" is run.
Entry to this tournament is open to all USTA members. Entries must be submitted by Saturday, May 1, 2010 11:59:00 PM Central Time. Only USTA members can register online if available.
In the future, you can jump straight to this tournament by entering the tournament identification number: 405007010 from the searchable schedule homepage.
To use TennisLink, cookies must be enabled in the user's browser. For more information,
please go to your browser's help menu.