USTA National Opens

Seeds as of May 12
Alternate Status as of May 18

Thank you to all of our wonderful players, parents and coaches who traveled from near and far to participate in the USTA National Open Championships Girls' 14s tournament at Arlington Tennis Center. We truly enjoyed getting to know each one of you and watching you play some amazing tennis. For those of you aging up, good luck in your future matches. For those of you staying in 14s next year, we hope to see you again in Arlington!

Blair Shankle of Boerne, Texas was chosen for the Sportsmanship award at the USTA National Open Championship in Arlington. Blair displayed outstanding character toward her opponents on court, graciousness after her matches (win or not), and she was extremely personable with players and tournament staff off court. Congratulations, Blair!

Congratulations to all of our players! In the Main Draw Singles Final match on Wednesday, #1 seed Kyle McPhillips of Willoughby, Ohio defeated #2 seed Nicole Melichar of Stuart, Florida in a grueling three-set, 2.5 hour match, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5. In the 3/4 Playoff, #14 seed Stephanie Nauta of Houston, Texas defeated #7 seed Shayne Austin of Oak Park, California in a tough 6-3, 6-2 match. The Consolation Finals was every bit as dramatic as the Main Draw, with #5 seed Breaunna Addison of New Braunfels, Texas defeating #3 seed Blair Shankle of Boerne, Texas in another three-set match, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. The Doubles Final on Monday was a battle between #2 seeds McPhillips - Julia Elbaba (Oyster Bay, New York) and #6 seeds Sarafina Nance (Austin, Texas) - Mariam Zein (Missouri City, Texas), with McPhillips-Elbaba winning the title 8-2. The #1 seeds Breaunna Addison (New Braunfels, Texas) - Felicity Delgado (Universal City, Texas) won the doubles 3/4 Playoff over #5 seeds Allison Burckhartt (Houston, Texas) - Alison Wagner (Southlake, Texas) by default. Congratulations to everyone!

Check out the photos of our winners (and some other shots) posted on the ATC website. more info

Thanks to all of the ATC staff, as well as our tournament committee, for their hard work and great hospitality during the USTA National Open Championship this past week. The tournament committee spent many volunteer hours for months in advance preparing for the tournament, and they worked extremely long days during the event. Players and guests, if you have a chance, please drop us an email at atc@ci.arlington.tx.us or atc@arlingtontx.gov to let us know about your experiences at our tournament. Our staff would appreciate your feedback.

Congratulations to our tournament Referee, Susan Wertenberger, who has been chosen for the second year in a row to work at the US Open! Ms. Wertenberger is also President of the Metroplex Tennis Officials Association, the organization responsible for all of our outstanding umpires at this year's tournament. Congratulations, Ms. Wertenberger!

For rain delay information, please call 817-459-6166. Think SUN!

Seeding for this tournament will be updated as needed (see also Seeding paragraph below on this website) due to player withdrawals, etc. Seeding was completed per guidelines in Friend at Court and approved by the High Performance Junior and Collegiate Competition Department. Seeds are selected based on the NSL for Girls' 14s published on May 9. Seeds 1-8 are assigned according to placement on the NSL. Seeds 9-16 are assigned alphabetically (per FAC). *Note: Alternates who are placed in the draw prior to the start of the tournament may require adjustments in seeds and match times.

The selection process has been completed, and all players listed as Competitors will be placed in the draw. Competitors will also reflect withdrawals up to the time draws are made. The Alternates list has been published. See Tournament Reports (above).

The Alternates Status is available on this website under Tournament Reports (above). IF YOU ARE AN ALTERNATE, AND YOU HAVE ACCEPTED A SPOT IN ANOTHER NATIONAL OPEN, PLEASE CONTACT US AT ATC@CI.ARLINGTON.TX.US SO THAT WE CAN REMOVE YOU FROM OUR ALTERNATE LIST. Acceptance in a tournament does not automatically remove you from another tournament's Alternate list. You must contact the tournament director. Note: the Alternates List option at left lists only the original alternates. We cannot adjust that list. For up-to-date Alternate information, see the Alternates Status under Tournament Reports above.

Welcome to the 2007 USTA National Open Girls' 14s at Arlington Tennis Center! We look forward to seeing you May 19-23 at our award-winning facility. ATC is a public facility featuring 20 outdoor lighted tennis courts, a full service proshop and concessions. Our proshop carries the latest in tennis racquets and other equipment, and we offer prompt stringing service. ATC's teaching staff includes top USPTA pros, several former high school state champions and Division I full scholarship players, as well as a number of area high school coaches. Do you want it? We have it! If you have any questions about ATC or the tournament, please contact us at 817-459-6163, or email atc@ci.arlington.tx.us. We look forward to seeing you in Arlington. more info

This 2006 USTA National Open Girls’ 14s is considered a USTA Junior National Championship and is sanctioned by the USTA Youth Competition and Training Committee. This tournament is also included on the National Junior Tournament Schedule. The top three Singles finishers who have submitted timely entries shall be accepted into the USTA National Clay Court Championships. The Doubles finalists who have submitted timely entries shall be accepted into the Doubles draw and shall be Singles alternates if they have not already been accepted into the Singles draw. Note: Players who are defaulted for any reason from the final scheduled match in Singles or Doubles shall not be eligible for selection. Finishers are reminded to register for the USTA National Clay Court Championships in July before the entry deadline using TennisLink. more info

PLEASE CHECK YOUR USTA MEMBER INFORMATION PRIOR TO REGISTRATION. Your USTA membership info is the official data downloaded and used by the tournament staff. Check that your USTA membership is current, your address and telephone numbers are correct and that you have listed alternate (work and/or mobile) phone numbers. Email addresses are also helpful. THE TOURNAMENT STAFF MAY NEED ALTERNATE METHODS OF CONTACTING YOU REGARDING TOURNAMENT ISSUES, so please check your cell number/email address carefully. more info

This tournament is for Girls' 14s and under. Players who meet the U.S. citizenship or residency requirements, the USTA age eligibility requirements and membership requirements (current USTA membership) may enter. An amateur player with an ATP, WTA or ITF ranking is eligible to enter only if her name appears on the most recently published National Standings Lists used for selection as of the entry deadline.

All players are required to enter this event on-line through the USTA's TennisLink registration system because the selection process is done electronically. Players must indicate their preferred site or sites in priority order. Players are asked to list all sites to which they would be willing to travel. Note: The new entry process allows players to enter more than one age division. However, players may not play in one age division in Singles at a particular National Open, and another age division in Doubles at a different National Open.

The deadline for this tournament is Thursday, April 26, 12 Noon EASTERN TIME.

Upon completion of the registration process, players will receive a confirmation number that indicates a successful registration. This number does NOT mean a player has been accepted into the tournament. Selection and acceptance notification occurs after the entry deadline. Players are responsible for checking the applicant list for their name and the selection process list for a checkmark next to their names to confirm successful completion of the registration process. Players who are unable to confirm their registrations within three to four hours after submitting registrations should email linkteam@usta.com. Remember, TennisLink does not charge credit cards until the selection is done. Players who are alternates will not be charged at the time of registration. Alternates who are later accepted into a tournament will need to pay their entry fee directly to the tournament. Players must indicate their preferred site or sites in priority order. Players may enter only one division. Again, please note: the confirmation number does NOT indicate the player has been accepted in the tournament.

Main draw players and alternates can view the lists published to the TennisLink Tournament Home Page no later than five days after the entries close. All players accepted by the TennisLink system will be sent a confirmation email that includes as part of the text of the email the USTA Release and USTA Medical Release Form. Once a player has been accepted into a USTA National Open, the player shall not be eligible for play in any other USTA National Open held during the same time. Once accepted into a tournament, players should contact all other tournaments that have the players on Alternate lists and have their names removed (the process for removal from Alternates lists is NOT automated). See link for Selection Process details. more info

Players who have not been selected after all four USTA National Open draws have been filled shall be placed in alternate pools at all concurrent USTA National Opens for which the players indicated a preference. Alternates will be ordered based on their national ranking points as of the date of the National Standing List used to select players into the tournament. Players of the next younger division shall be ordered based on their national ranking points as of the date of the NSL used to select players into the tournament and placed below the first group. Players who do not appear on either of the preceding NSLs will be ordered by lot and placed at the bottom of the list. The Alternates list will be published to the tournament homepage no more than five days after entries close, and it will not change even if new NSLs are published. The Tournament Director will contact players as spots become available, and acceptance in writing is required. Alternates accepted into the draw will be contacted with additional information, including the Medical Release, and to secure payment for their entries. If an alternate is contacted about available space in a tournament, the alternate may decline to play in a tournament. However, if an alternate accepts the invitation to play, the player may not withdraw to play in another National Open without following a specific procedure. Note: The USTA on-line registration system does NOT charge credit cards unless a player is ACCEPTED in the tournament prior to the deadline.

All National Opens are required to hold a MANDATORY player meeting. The player meeting for our tournament will be held on Friday, May 18, 7:00 PM, at Arlington Tennis Center. The Referee will discuss important aspects of the tournament with the players, and a group photo will be taken of all competitors who are present. Players who are unable to attend due to travel issues must contact the Tournament Director prior to Friday, atc@ci.arlington.tx.us.

The USTA Release and USTA Medical Release Form will available at the end of the confirmation email received after the player has been accepted into the tournament. This email should be printed by the player, signed and brought to the tournament at check-in. Alternates gaining entry after the selection has taken place will also need to sign and bring the form with them to check-in.

On-site alternates may be admitted into the singles main draw to replace withdrawing players until the completion of the first round of play. This option does not apply to players receiving withdrawals or retirements as these are considered matches won. On-site alternates may not play in the FIC Championship unless they have played in the Singles main draw.

Players may appear on more than one alternate list. Players who are alternates at a particular National Open site may also apply as a “late entry” to other USTA National Open sites not originally selected as a site preference. These “late entries” will be listed after other alternates by the date / time that the entries were received.

Draws are limited to 64, and the draw process is done automatically using the USTA’s TDM software (as required). When possible, the top four players from each Section will be separated into the four quarters of the draw. Draws will not be done more than seven days prior to the start of the tournament. Draws will be posted no less than four days prior to the start of the tournament, and they will be updated with withdrawals and alternates as the information is received and processed. Draws will also be updated at least nightly during the tournament, and results will be submitted to area newspapers daily. Draw sizes are limited to 64 in singles and 32 teams in doubles.

Tournament check-in is Friday, May 18, from 5:00-8:00 PM. PLAYERS MUST CHECK THEMSELVES IN FOR THE TOURNAMENT (not parents, coaches, etc.). At tournament check-in, players will receive important tournament information, copies of the draw, a tournament gift and other “goodies.” Players will also sign up for and confirm partners for doubles (see DOUBLES for more information). See LATE CHECK-IN for more information. PLAYERS MUST BRING THEIR MEDICAL RELEASE FORMS TO CHECK-IN. See also PLAYER MEETING.

Seeding for Singles in this tournament is done by the Director of Junior Competition (or designee) after consulting with the Tournament Committee. The Referee is responsible for Doubles seeding in this tournament. Information used for seeding may include National Standings Lists, advice of the USTA National Coaching Staff, Final National Ranking Lists for the previous year, Sectional or District lists (Standings, Ranking, Selection and Seeding), ITF and WTA ranking information, player record and draw sheets from recent tournaments. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTERNATES PLACED PRIOR TO THE START OF THE TOURNAMENT WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN SEEDED MAY REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT OF SEEDS. ADJUSTING THE SEEDS MAY ALSO MEAN NEW MATCH TIMES FOR SOME PLAYERS. Updated information will be available on-line and at player check-in. more info

The format for Singles will be best of three tie-break sets, regular scoring, with a full feed-in through the quarter-finals. The format for Doubles will be 8-game prosets, regular scoring, with a Match Tie-break (10-point) at 8 all, single elimination. Formats may be adjusted due to weather. Both Singles and Doubles will require a 3/4 Playoff in the Main Draw.

Singles matches will begin on Saturday morning (see draws for times), May 19. Singles: Main draw will have two rounds scheduled on Saturday, and Consolation will have one round scheduled on Saturday. Sunday through Wednesday, Main draw will have one round scheduled per day, and Consolation will have two rounds scheduled per day. Doubles: Doubles will begin on Saturday evening, May 19, after Singles play, with no more than two rounds scheduled per day. Note: inclement weather may necessitate adjustments in the schedule.

Players are responsible for obtaining their own match times on the Web page, as well as via copies of draws distributed at check-in and posted at the tournament site. Any question about draw times should be directed to the Tournament Director (atc@ci.arlington.tx.us).

Singles players and Singles alternates are eligible to play Doubles in this tournament. For players not already in Doubles, sign up will be held on Friday evening, May 18, and continue through Saturday, May 19, 9:00 AM. Players may also enter doubles on-line at the time of registration. Draws will be made and posted by 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 19, with play beginning Saturday evening. Players may designate a partner or be assigned one at random. Doubles is single elimination, with awards for First, Second, Third and Fourth place.

Before the deadline, players may withdraw on-line from the tournament, and their credit cards will not be charged. Once the deadline passes, players must contact the tournament director in writing (email) regarding withdrawals. Bona fide reasons for a withdrawal are illness, injury and personal emergency. Players may NOT withdraw from one site in order to gain acceptance into another site. Contact the tournament director via email to request a change of site. Remember, written notice of the withdrawal must be received by the tournament director: atc@ci.arlington.tx.us Players withdrawing after the entry deadline will be replaced with an Alternate. Players who withdraw less than one week before the start of the tournament will not receive refunds.

All officials for this event are certified by the USTA. In addition to the Referee, we will have at least one roving official for every four courts. The Point Penalty System will be strictly enforced.

The Main Draw Finals and Semi Finals, Third/Fourth Playoff and Consolation Finals in Singles, as well as the Doubles Final will be chaired matches. The Point Penalty System (PPS) will be strictly enforced.

Awards will be given for First, Second, Third, Fourth and Consolation in Singles, and for First, Second, Third and Fourth in Doubles. In addition, a Sportsmanship Award will also be given to the player who demonstrates overall positive sportsmanship on and off the court throughout the event. Gold and Silver medallions awarded for First and Second in both Singles and Doubles are provided by the USTA. Awards for Third, Fourth (Singles and Doubles), Consolation (Singles) and Sportsmanship are provided by Arlington Tennis Center.

All matches will be played at ATC. Call 817-459-6163 for directions. Please note: * Spectators are not allowed on courts at any time. * Pets and smoking are prohibited in the ATC proshop/building & inside the fenced areas around the courts. * Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the property (including the parking lot). * To comply with health and safety guidelines, water jugs are not on courts. However, free cups / ice / water are available. more info

A LIMITED number of practice courts will be available free of charge throughout the tournament. Practice courts may be reserved in half-hour, half-court increments. Please contact one of our Customer Service Representatives at our front counter to reserve practice courts. In addition to practice courts at Arlington Tennis Center, area park courts are also available on a first come, first served basis. See map under Site Information for locations. Players may also arrange on court time for warm-ups with one of our teaching staff.

The Player Banquet Buffet will be held Saturday evening, May 19, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Arlington Tennis Center. The very popular Buck ‘N Loons Restaurant will cater the delicious buffet. Tournament players will be our guests, and additional tickets for the banquet (for parents, coaches, etc.) may be purchased for $9 each at tournament check-in on Friday night. Yummy! BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR BANQUET TICKET STUB - WE WILL BE AWARDING DOOR PRIZES DURING THE BANQUET!

A professional sports photographer, John Tyler of Action Photography, will be on site during the tournament! You will be able to see and purchase snaps of yourself and your friends on the web. Say CHEESE! more info

ATC’s stringing staff is among the most experienced in our area, and we will offer 24-hours service for tournament players during the five-day event.

Arlington Tennis Center is located directly across the street from Medical Center of Arlington, one of our area's largest hospitals. In addition, Medical Center of Arlington has a brand new, state-of-the art Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center that we hope you do not ever need to see. more info

Arlington offers a wide selection of hotels and motels, from the most basic to full-service. In addition, a number of hotels are located just moments from ATC. For some of the many hotel options in Arlington, please select the link. more info

For air travel, visit DFW International Airport at (http://www.dfwairport.com/) or Dallas Love Field (http://www.dallas-lovefield.com/), or select the link. more info

Arlington is home to some of the finest restaurants in Texas! Select the link or visit Fun Central at www.arlington.org for a sampling of the delicious cuisine our town has to offer! more info

Need wheels? Select the link for a few local options. more info

Visit FUN CENTRAL on the web (www.arlington.org) for the inside scoop on our fantastic local area attractions, including Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor Waterpark. See the link for additional entertainment ideas. Or, if shopping is your "bag," visit The Parks at Arlington (http://www.theparksatarlington.com/html/Index2.asp) or the brand new open-air mall, The Highlands, to map out your mall experience in advance! See you in Arlington! more info

Remember, Texas can be hot in May, so hydrate before, during and after play! For rain delay info, please call 817-459-6166. more info

To comply with health and safety guidelines, water coolers are not on placed on courts. However, free cups, ice and water are available at the proshop, and players are welcome to purchase water, fountain drinks, sports drinks and juices in the proshop. Players may also bring their own water jugs of water on court.

Players will use of scorekeepers on court during matches to avoid scoring disputes.

We ask that all players and spectators wear traditional attire appropriate for a family tennis environment. All guests (players and spectators) are required to wear shirts (including ladies wearing shirts over sports bras), and no bare stomachs / abdomens. Shorts and skirts should be of an appropriate length, as well. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please note that cell phones may not be used on court or in the Tournament room. Please turn them OFF. Spectators who use cell phones on the property should be mindful of whether their conversations interfere with tournament play (in which case, they will be asked to leave the area or turn the phone off) or normal business operations of the facility. Thank you for your cooperation.

Wilson is the official ball for this tournament.