INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Registration is now open for the US Open National Playoffs Midwest Sectional Qualifying Tournament to be held June 11-14, 2016. The event will be held at the University of Notre Dame and Leeper Park in South Bend, Indiana. Earlier this month, the USTA announced the return of the US Open National Playoffs for the seventh season, expanding the footprint of the US Open to South Bend by providing the opportunity for all players 14 years of age and older to earn a berth into all five draws at the US Open. Tennis players can compete in men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
The US Open National Playoffs men’s and women’s singles champions earn a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, held the week prior to the US Open. The US Open National Playoffs men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles champions receive a wild card into the main draw of the 2016 US Open.
The US Open National Playoffs begin as a series of 15 sectional qualifying tournaments, held in different USTA Sections nationwide, including South Bend. The 15 champions or top available finishers in each division from each sectional qualifier advance to the following US Open National Playoffs Championship events:
- Men’s and Women’s Singles Championship: Aug. 19-22
- Men’s and Women’s Doubles Championship: Aug. 21-24
- Mixed Doubles Championship: Aug. 24-27
All five tournaments will take place in conjunction with the Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies, an Emirates Airline US Open Series event, in New Haven, Conn.
“We are very excited and honored to be hosting one of the US Open Qualifying events in South Bend! We are a proud and strong tennis community and are thrilled to showcase our local facilities, area attractions, and vibrant downtown,” said Meghan Huff, Sports Sales Manager with Visit South Bend Mishawaka.
“The USTA/Midwest Section is also excited about South Bend hosting this tournament,” said Diane Ansay, Director of Adult Tennis for the USTA/Midwest Section. “This location is very centralized and should draw players from all over the Section, leading up to a very fun, competitive event.”
Registration opened Tuesday, March 15, at www.USOpen.org/NationalPlayoffs. The entry fee is $85 for men’s and women’s singles and $55 per player for doubles. All players competing must have a current USTA membership valid through August 29, 2016.
“The US Open National Playoffs are all about giving players of all abilities the opportunity to dream big and be a part of the US Open,” said Katrina M. Adams, USTA Chairman of the Board, CEO and President. “This year, players have more ways than ever to make it to New York, with all five of the US Open’s draws in play. We look forward to another year of great tennis and watching top juniors, collegians, aspiring pros, and weekend warriors connect with the US Open and compete for the chance to play on tennis’ grandest stage.”
More than 2,000 players competed in the 2015 US Open National Playoffs—the largest number of players ever. Players ranged from experienced professionals who were once ranked in the Top 50, to junior players and current/former college standouts, to recreational players of all playing abilities and walks of life. Participants included those competing for charity, businesspeople, musicians, lawyers, reporters, former athletes, and stay-at-home mothers.
The US Open Qualifying Tournament will be held Aug. 23-26, the US Open men’s and women’s doubles championships begin Aug. 30 and the US Open mixed doubles championship begins Aug. 31 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. The 2016 US Open is scheduled to take place from Aug. 29 to Sept. 11.
US Open National Playoffs information is available at www.USOpen.org/NationalPlayoffs.