Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Thomas Graning
USTA Tennis Classic of Troy Returns Oct 7-14, 2012
9/27/2012 2:36:00 PM | Tennis (W)
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TROY, Ala. – Even though the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is located a couple hours to the north in Huntsville and the Stennis Space Center is located 150 miles to the south; Troy, Alabama has proven to be the place where careers "blast off" in recent years when it comes to professional women's tennis. Once again, some of the best women tennis players in the world will be in Troy for the the USTA Tennis Classic of Troy, Alabama, taking place October 7-14, 2012.
"It's another great field," said tournament director Eric Hayes. Hayes is also the head tennis coach of the men's and women's teams at Troy University.
Headlining the field in 2012 are Edina Gallovits-Hall, a Romanian living in Atlanta that has been ranked as high as No. 54 in the world and has won 18 ITF Circuit titles. Slated to be the No. 2 seed is Michelle Larcher De Brito from Portugal. De Brito plays an exciting brand of tennis and has been ranked as high as No. 74 in the world.
Joining these two will be a group of young Americans looking for a title and breakthrough. These include Chi Chi Scholl, Grace Min, Julia Boserup and Chieh-Yu Hsu.
They are hoping that they can duplicate the results posted by the two singles finalists from 2011. Last year, Romina Oprandi of Italy defeated American Varvara Lepchenko in the finals, but both used Troy as a way to improve their rankings and move on to bigger and better things in 2012. Lepchencko is one of the most improved players on the WTA Tour and she is now ranked No. 20 in the world. Oprandi also has tasted success in 2012 and she sits at No. 64 in the rankings released on 9/24/12.
This tournament is unique in the fact that it takes place on a vibrant college campus and that it's an event that the entire community of Troy gets behind.
"We are fortunate to have the support of the university, the city and the tennis community," adds Hayes. "Without them, this tournament wouldn't exist."
The tournament is also a great tool for the children of the community. It introduces many of them to a sport they have never played, and it also renews a spirit in all of them that they can achieve anything that they put their heart, soul and mind toward.
The players love this event as well, and some come back year after year. Players that compete in Troy will tell you that the tournament is more than tennis; it is a week full of Southern Hospitality and an opportunity to change not only their lives, but others too. The City of Troy, The Classic, and the media coverage is graciously appreciated by all the participants.
The tournament offers $25,000 in prize money to the singles and doubles players and a 64-player qualifying tournament will take place during the opening weekend of the tournament.
Wildcards will be given out leading up the start of the main and qualifying draws and they will join those that survive the qualifying tournament in the main draw, with 20 the players that gained direct entry.
There will be a lot of tennis played the second week of October in Troy. Quite a few of these players have the potential to be the next stars in women's tennis and Troy could once again be the launching pad.
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