Rising stars of men’s tennis from around the world are coming to town Jan. 23 through Feb. 1 for the 6th annual USTA Pro Circuit Men’s Futures Tournament at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.
Making stops in local communities across the United States, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the professional ranks for the next generation of world-class players. Up to 128 touring professionals will compete at Palm Coast’s clay court facility for a $10,000 purse and ATP ranking points.
A Wild Card Men’s Open tournament for local players’ entry in the qualifying portion of the Futures Tournament is scheduled for Jan. 19-21, with an entry fee of $54.25. The Wild Card is singles-only. The deadline to register is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, here. The winner gets a wildcard entry into the main draw, the runner-up a wildcard into qualifying.
Spectator admission is free to the Wild Card Tournament, along with Futures Tournament Qualifying Jan. 23-26 and Main Draw play Jan. 27-29. Also free is Kids Day at 2 p.m. Jan. 24, where children 6-12 will have fun and games on-court with the head pro and some future stars. Advance registration for Kids Day is recommended, at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.
Tickets to participate in the Pro-Am Event at 5 p.m. Jan. 27 are $35. Advance registration is required at the tennis center.
The schedule is as follows:
· Wild Card Men’s Open tournament, Jan. 19-21.
· Qualifying begins at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23 and continues through Monday, Jan. 26.
· Kid’s Day is Jan. 24 at 2 p.m.
· Main Draw Singles and Doubles begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27.
· Doubles Quarter Finals on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
· Doubles Semi-Finals on Thursday, Jan. 29.
· Doubles Finals on Friday, Jan. 30.
· Singles Quarter Finals on Friday, Jan. 30.
· Singles Semi-Finals on Saturday, Jan. 31.
· Singles Finals on Sunday, Feb. 1.
All matches are free through Thursday, Jan. 29. From Friday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 1, daily tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. A ticket package is available for all three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) at $25 for adults, $12 for children.
A schedule of matches will be posted daily at the website. www.PalmCoastTennisCenter.com. Times are subject to change, so please check the online schedule often. No refunds will be given.
“We’re proud to host the USTA Pro Circuit Men’s Futures Tournament,” said Debbie Stanfield, tournament director for the USTA Pro Circuit Men’s Futures Tournament at Palm Coast. “The tournament is a great opportunity for area tennis lovers and players to see the up-and-coming generation of the world’s best players. It’s our biggest event of the year, and we invite the public to join us to see some great, world-class tennis.”
The USTA Pro Circuit is the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world and has launched the careers of such current stars as Victoria Azarenka, John Isner, Mardy Fish, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki, as well as past champions Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin and Pete Sampras.
In all, 17 USTA Pro Circuit alumni have achieved the No. 1 world singles rankings. Recent alumni and current players include fast-rising young Americans Ryan Harrison, Christina McHale, Sloane Stephens and Jack Sock.
For more information on the upcoming Futures Tournament in Palm Coast, visit the website or call 386/986-2550.
