Australian Open to host the American Collegiate matches for the first time
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has been gathering some of the most promising youngsters from all over the world, providing them a chance to compete in Collegiate tennis and also to earn an academic degree that would mean a lot to them if they fail to make a decent tennis career. The Collegiate tennis congregates hundreds of Universities around the USA and it forms a huge base of players who compete during the fall and spring seasons that include regular dual matches and various Classics and Championships.
John Isner, Kevin Anderson, Bryan brothers and Steve Johnson have all had a chance to play college tennis and score great results on the ATP Tour in the following years, with Isner and Anderson playing in this year's Wimbledon semi-final. Some tennis centers and facilities in general are among the best in the world and the Universities are always giving their best to make further improvements and provide the best possible conditions for training and playing six matches at the same time. In addition, the ITA has made another huge step in development, giving a chance to Collegiate stars to travel to the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne next month and play exhibition and regular matches at the Melbourne Park during the Australian Open!
College players have already had a chance to play at the US Open in the last couple of years but this will be a completely new experience for the Universities of Southern California and the University of South Carolina, traveling to the land down under and getting a chance to explore the greatest tennis stage and watch the best players in the world in action. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley knows everything about Collegiate tennis, winning the NCAA title with Illinois Fighting Illini in 2003, and he is thrilled to welcome the men's and women's squads of two famous Universities in Melbourne. USC men's team finished 11th in the 2018 year-end ranking while South Carolina also wrapped the year in the top-25. On the other hand, South Carolina was ranked 12th at the end of the last season and it should be interesting to see their regular matches and also the clashes against Tennis Australia National Academy players.
“The Intercollegiate Tennis Association is thrilled to work alongside Tennis Australia to provide a truly memorable and unique experience to two deserving programs in USC and South Carolina,” said ITA Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Russell. “Being able to take our dual match product on the road and to another country is special, and we also look forward to showcasing the dynamic talent on the four rosters to those in attendance at the Australian Open 2019. This is truly an instance where we collectively raise the profile of college tennis, and I can’t wait to be in Australia to witness these matches take place.”
“We look forward to welcoming US College Tennis to the Australian Open,” said Tournament Director and former Illinois men’s tennis head coach (Illinois won the 2003 NCAA National Championship) Craig Tiley. “I have first-hand experience of the high quality of tennis played within the US College system, and we also promote this pathway to many of our promising Australian players – it’s a tremendous way to achieve a tertiary education while staying on track to pursue a career in professional tennis. We look forward to showcasing college tennis during week two of the Australian Open and I know the players will enjoy their first Grand Slam experience here in Melbourne.”
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2SNfSpx
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