Tennis fans all throughout Georgia are in for a treat as three players in the top-100 of the WTA rankings and numerous other top-200 pros are on the entry list for the 2014 Tennis Classic of Macon. This USTA Pro Circuit event will be held Oct 19-26 at the Jaime Kaplan Tennis Center on the campus of Stratford Academy in Macon.
This is one of the three fall events where U.S. players can earn points for the USTA’s wildcard into the first major of 2015, the Australian Open.
Tournament director and Mercer University Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach Eric Hayes said a entry list like this is unheard of for a USTA Pro Circuit event.
“This is unreal,” said Hayes. “This is the strongest 50K fall event that I can remember. It’s a testament to our facility, our volunteers and the Macon tennis community that put a lot of hard work into making our 2013 event so memorable.”
Headlining this year’s Macon 50K field is veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, who defeated Venus Williams to win the WTA event in Quebec City, last month. Americans, Madison Brengle, Melanie Oudin and defending champ Anna Tatishvilli are also scheduled to return to Middle Georgia.
Top players appearing on initial entry list include:
#59 – Mirjana Lucic-Baroni – Just won WTA event in Quebec City
#98 – Madison Brengle – Semifinalist in Macon in 2013 and just won event in Las Vegas
#99 – Anna Tatishvilli – 2013 Tennis Classic of Macon champion
#109 – Edina Gallovits-Hall – Former top-100 player using protected ranking
#111 – Grace Min – Fast-rising American player from Lawrenceville, GA
#114 – Olivia Rogowanska – Australian that has won 10 ITF singles titles
#122 – Irina Falconi – Former Georgia Tech star
#124 – Michelle Larcher DeBrito – Defeated Maria Sharapova at 2013 Wimbledon
Another players of note would be Nicole Vaidisova, a former world No. 7 player. She is attempting a comeback from a series of injuries.
Even Brian Earley, Director of the USTA Pro Circuit is impressed with what could be Macon’s field.
“The USTA Tennis Classic of Macon will feature one of the strongest fields on the USTA Pro Circuit, with at least four women in the top 100 players on the WTA computer. Due in equal parts to its timing (after the WTA season has concluded), geography and the fact that the Americans are playing for a possible spot in the main draw of the Australian Open, we love that the winner in Macon will have earned the title over some of the best players in the world.”
Players will compete in singles and doubles and a 32-woman qualifying event will start on Sunday, October 19,
Hayes says once again the tournament will host a pro am where local tennis players can play against the pros. Last year’s pro am was enjoyable for both locals and the players.
Fans can find out more information at www.ustamaconclassic.com.
Tickets are $5 per day, so come on down to Macon and see some of the best tennis players in the world.
Anna Tatishvili is the defending champion.
American Lauren Embree returns a shot at the 2013 Tennis Classic of Macon
