USTA National Championships

Media Report

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazatte has been keeping an online photo gallery of the USTA Boys 12 Hard Court Championship. Go to www.arkansasonline.com/focus to check it out. Pictures are being added daily. more info

Congratulations to our 2007 Sportsmanship Winner -- Mario Sandoval from Garland, Texas.

The volunteers and staff would like to thank players, parents & coaches for participating in our event. It was hot, but thankfully we did not send anyone to the hospital. Thank you parents & coaches for keeping your player hydrated. The Arkansas Tennis Association would like to send a special thank you to Laura Juels, Paul Juels Jones & Judy Jones, as well as all of the additional volunteers and all of our on-court officials. It is because of you that the tournament was such a success. Thank you also to Select Physical Therapy for providing our athletic trainer -- Erin Harmon.

On Wednesday, August 8, due to the extreme heat & humidity, the divisions that could potentially play two singles matches (main draw & gold) will play a match tiebreak for the third set.

The doubles sign up is updated from Friday registration. Please check and make sure that we have you with the correct partner. If not, please let the tournament desk know by 10am on Saturday morning. We still have a few people looking for a partner.

The tournament phone number is 501-681-3188. Do not leave a messge -- continue to call until someone answers.

We have had numerous calls on what standing list was used -- it was the 7/25 list.

For hitting partners, call Burns Park Tennis Center, 501-227-7611. Head pro is Bill Bodie.

Per USTA regulations, as of Saturday, July 28, no refunds will be given to any withdrawals.

Our host hotel is the Wyndham Riverfront in No. Little Rock - 501-371-9000, $74.00 per night -- Broadway exit off of Interstate 1-30. For reservations, ask for the Arkansas Tennis Association Block or Corporate rate. Make your reservations as soon as possible -- there are numerous other functions going on in the area.

It has come to our attention that the Wyndham is getting full. The secondary hotel is the LaQuinta Inn - McCain Mall, 4311 No. Little Rock, AR 72116, 501-945-0808. Their rate is $72.00 per night. Directions: 1-40 : north on U.S. Hwy 167/67 to exit 1B-McCain Blvd., then immediately left on Landers Rd. Take next left under the underpass to Warkden Rd. Left on Warden Rd. Hotel 1/4 mile on right.

The playing site is Burns Park Tennis Center, 4000 Joe Poch Lane, No. Little Rock, AR 72118. Exit 150 off of Interstate 40. If you were at one of our tournaments last year, you know that we were in the midst of construction. You will be glad to know that all of that is done now. We have a brand new tournament room along with awnings over most of the benches. It will still be hot -- please come prepared for the heat.

The SINGLES event is a "Compass Draw", which means ALL PLAYERS will play at least four matches (one each day), regardless of whether they win or lose. The DOUBLES tournament is single elimination. Doubles will be played each day after singles.

This tournament is a Sectional Endorsed Tournament and is restricted to those players who meet sectional requirements. Entry is available ONLY through tennislink on the USTA website.

Practice courts will be available at Burns Park -- call 501-791-8585 to reserve. Indoor courts will be available at Burns for $65 per 1/2 starting on August 4th . Outdoor practice courts are available free of charge, space available, starting on August 4th

Please fax or mail a medical release form, signed by both parent & junior, to the Arkansas Tennis Associaion, 2024 Arkansas Valley Drive, #302, Little Rock, AR 72212 or fax 501-223-0531. more info

Replacing of a Player BEFORE Draw is Made: The tournament committee shall replace a player accepted as part of a Section's quota with the next player on the Sections's endorsement list. If there is no other endorsed player from that section, the next highest person on the alternate list will be taken. Replacing of a Player AFTER Draw is Made: the next hightest perosn on the alternate list will be taken.

The Players Meeting will be Friday at 6:30 on Johnny Heflin Stadium Court. Please make every effort to attend.

We are in the process of checking the people who have requested a late entry into the tournament -- they must be endorsed by their section. Keep watching this site to see if you will be put on the alternate list.

Registration is Friday, August 3rd, between 4 & 6 at Burns Park Tennis Center. If you have not already mailed or faxed a signed medical release form, PLEASE BRING IT WITH YOU. You can not play a match until we have one on file.

Everyone from the initial list of alternates (those who entered via tennislink in a timely fashion) are IN. Please send a check in the amount of $75.00 payable to the Arkansas Tennis Association, 2024 Arkansas Valley Drive, #302, Little Rock, AR 72212 by Monday, July 30. We also need you to send a signed medical release form. If you do not intend on participating in the tournament, please let us know by Monday, July 30. Thank you.

For entry, use the USTA Registration System.

Level 1

This event is restricted to the following Jr. players: U.S. Citizens; Permanent Resident Aliens; Diplomats, Refugees/Asylees; CTA. Refer to USTA Regulation III.A.2a.