US Open USTA sectional qualifying tournament 2010

[TonLars]

Kind of a cool idea, but the entry fee is ridiculous: $125! Basically each USTA section will have a qualifying tournament this summer and the winners advance to a USTA national tournament. The winner of this tournament receives a wildcard into the US Open qualifying.

Even funnier for me was when I clicked on the link to this today, I see a picture of myself playing at Indian Wells this fall on their promo page (red shirt)... LOL!
http://www.usopen.org/USOpen/Home/National_Playoffs/Default.aspx

 

[raiden031]

I don't know what to make of this. It seems like a cool idea to make the US Open truly "open", but still its a complete waste of time for 99% of players who would get blown out by a decent player in the first round. I feel like the winner is still going to be a world-class player who just doesn't have the ranking to qualify through other means.

 

[TonLars]

I don't know what to make of this. It seems like a cool idea to make the US Open truly "open", but still its a complete waste of time for 99% of players who would get blown out by a decent player in the first round. I feel like the winner is still going to be a world-class player who just doesn't have the ranking to qualify through other means.

I know, even if I win my section I dont think I would go to the trouble to play the national tournament because of the expenses, and there will probably be some really tough players ranked inside the top 200 trying to get in.

 

[cak]

Well then, they must mean you. Sign up now!!

 

[JRstriker12]

I think it's the USTA's way of sucking $125 out of the pockets of all the 3.0 players on this board that think they 5.0+ players - or have better strokes than the videos of 4.5 players posted on this board.

As a concept, it's cool. Practically, it's a waste of time for 99.99999% of rec players. Only plus- is that you could end up playing Olympic skier Bode Miller.

It's like the one tournament that was held in my area a year or so ago that had a $50 entry fee and a $1000+ first prize.

Basically, I know enough quality players that I can get the living snot kicked out of me on court for free (if I ask nicely) - no need to spend $50 to get pounded.

 

[Nellie]

I can't believe that they used your picture for a promotion - you should write them (in jest) to say that you demand a free entry for use of your likeness

 

[TonLars]

It's like the one tournament that was held in my area a year or so ago that had a $50 entry fee and a $1000+ first prize.

Basically, I know enough quality players that I can get the living snot kicked out of me on court for free (if I ask nicely) - no need to spend $50 to get pounded.

Haha, yeah except there is no prize money for this tournament like that, making it expensive not only for playing the sectional tournament, but then if I were to win I have to pay to fly out for the national tournament just to lose to Cecil Mammit. Whereas if you play an open tournament, even if its a plane ride away, you have a chance at breaking even or possibly coming $500-1000+ ahead.

I can't believe that they used your picture for a promotion - you should right them (in jest) to say that you demand a free entry for use of your likeness

I think I signed a contract at Indian Wells that allows the media to use my picture in any USTA promotions they have, but I could try!

 

[Topaz]

Kind of a cool idea, but the entry fee is ridiculous: $125! Basically each USTA section will have a qualifying tournament this summer and the winners advance to a USTA national tournament. The winner of this tournament receives a wildcard into the US Open qualifying.

Even funnier for me was when I clicked on the link to this today, I see a picture of myself playing at Indian Wells this fall on their promo page (red shirt)... LOL!
http://www.usopen.org/USOpen/Home/National_Playoffs/Default.aspx

What, you mean you're not in the yellow shirt???

Around here (DC metro area) they used to also have tournaments that, if you won, you got a wild card into the qualifying for Legg Mason. Not sure if they still do it or not though...

 

[Casey10s]

I don't know what to make of this. It seems like a cool idea to make the US Open truly "open", but still its a complete waste of time for 99% of players who would get blown out by a decent player in the first round. I feel like the winner is still going to be a world-class player who just doesn't have the ranking to qualify through other means.

Since it is only a wildcard into the qualies, even a pro who has been injured, not played in a while, or an up and comer could still get into the qualies. I see this as a way for a really top junior or college player who hasn't played any pro tournaments to get a chance for glory. As for the other players, not even worth it.

I guess this is the USTA equivalent of the USGA where they have golf tournaments to qualify for a spot at the US Open for golf.

 

[JRstriker12]

Haha, yeah except there is no prize money for this tournament like that, making it expensive not only for playing the sectional tournament, but then if I were to win I have to pay to fly out for the national tournament just to lose to Cecil Mammit. Whereas if you play an open tournament, even if its a plane ride away, you have a chance at breaking even or possibly coming $500-1000+ ahead.

Road Trip!!!!

I guess when they say the US Open series is the greatest road trip in sports, they weren't kidding.

Just a question, do the players that play the US Open qualies get paid?

 

[Matt H.]

the only difference is that is to make it into the actual tournament.


16 person draw (per gender) at 16 sites.

With the $125 entry fee, that's basically the USTA taking in 64 grand to hand out 1 qualifier wild card.

I guess they'll probably use this money to boost the payout for the journeymen players in the quali tournament.

 

[Matt H.]

nevermind.

i read the eligibility page.

Draw can be up to 256 players. holy cow. So that's 512 players for men and women at 16 sites.

That's over 1 million bucks the USTA will make on this.....in exchange for handing out a wild card.

Not even a main draw wild card at that.

*Edit*
reading the whole page, I think it's a bunch of BS. I can understand no prize money, but the winner doesn't even get travel expenses paid for. The USTA is going to rake in huge money from this publicity tournament, and the player will still foot the bill for airfare and hotel to get to New York to play in the tournament. Really weak on the USTA's part.

 

[raiden031]

nevermind.

i read the eligibility page.

Draw can be up to 256 players. holy cow. So that's 512 players for men and women at 16 sites.

That's over 1 million bucks the USTA will make on this.....in exchange for handing out a wild card.

Not even a main draw wild card at that.

*Edit*
reading the whole page, I think it's a bunch of BS. I can understand no prize money, but the winner doesn't even get travel expenses paid for. The USTA is going to rake in huge money from this publicity tournament, and the player will still foot the bill for airfare and hotel to get to New York to play in the tournament. Really weak on the USTA's part.

This is how Donald Young can ensure entry into the USO every year.

 

[gameboy]

Man, you guys love to complain...

This is pretty much how US Open Golf Championship is run. However, they have about 9,000 people trying for about 50 or 60 spots, and majority of those spots go to PGA pros who get exemption to the last round of qualifying. And I believe they pay more for entrance as well.

I think it is pretty neat that literally anyone has a chance to make it to US Open. USTA should be applauded for this effort.

 

[sphinx780]

I don't see anything to complain about here...

You think you can play world class tennis, here's your chance to see. I'd bet the entry fee is to keep the 4.0s of the world who think they have a chance from wasting anyone's time, including their own. They've got to keep the application pool down somehow. Just my thought on it.

 

[tennisnj]

The real issue I have with the exorbitant entry fee is---where is the money going? It's not going to where its needed the most---lowering the price of tickets & amenities at the U.S. Open. Even lowering the price of USTA tournaments (at all levels) would be a good place to start with the entry fees. BTW are we due to have our USTA membership dues increased?

 

[JRstriker12]

The real issue I have with the exorbitant entry fee is---where is the money going? It's not going to where its needed the most---lowering the price of tickets & amenities at the U.S. Open. Even lowering the price of USTA tournaments (at all levels) would be a good place to start with the entry fees. BTW are we due to have our USTA membership dues increased?

I'm pretty sure that the usta is not going to use the fees to drop us open prices. If anything this money needs to go to developing top level pros. Btw- in the las tusta mag, they say membership is way up. So iLm thinking the price of activities is bot scaring people away. (sorry 4 error, typed from palm pre)

 

[gameboy]

My question is, why do you care about how high the fee is?

The fee should be high enough so that, one, it covers the cost of holding the tournaments, and two, costly enough so that people who really don't belong there think long and hard about entering.

They have limited number of spaces for this tourney, the cost should be sufficiently high so that the number of people who are interested equals the number of tourney open spots. If it was too low, they would have to add more tournaments and more rounds.

 

[AutoXer]

Nevermind...

 

[tennisnj]

The high fee won't preclude me from entering, but it just shows the USTA continues to rip its members off. Most of the time a tournament is held, the entrance fee MORE THAN covers the cost of the tournament/insurance/gifts/supplies etc. I have run tournaments before, granted not on the large scale of this tournament, but let's face it---the USTA is going to make a killing.

 

[HunterST]

Tonlars, what tournament were you playing at indian wells when the picture was taken?

Also, I think you should at least do your sectional tournament. Even though the odds are very small that you would make it to the US Open, at least you gave it a shot. If you don't try at all, there's absolutely NO chance. I mean you've given world class players runs for their money. If I was as good as you I'd definitely do it.

 

[gameboy]

Seriously, Ton, all you have to is to setup a Paypal account and look for some "sponsorship" on this site.

I am betting there will be at least 5 or 6 folks here who are willing to put in $10 or $20 to see how you may do in this tournament.

If Jolly can win $100 with his Open tourney results, you can certainly raise enough money to put a serious dent on the entrance fee.

 

[HookEmJeff]

There will be a LOT of officials at these tournaments, nothing like what you're used to playing at your little local ones.

Officials and their lodging will be one of the main expenses of each of these Section tournaments from what I'd heard about this. This tournament has the US Open brand, so they're not gonna' go cheap on it or make it look weak.

And I have to agree with the earlier poster who said that, "You people love to complain." You'd think from some of the posts on here, it seems like the USTA owes everyone a free entry fee into every tournament they ever play, gold watches, huge prize money checks and supermodel ball girls for all your local tournaments.

I myself would just settle for the supermodel ball girls.

I think this tournament looks pretty cool. Besides, how many times can you say you were just 15 matches from maybe playing Roger Federer or Justine Henin!!!!

Jeff

 

[Sumo]

I think this tournament looks pretty cool. Besides, how many times can you say you were just 15 matches from maybe playing Roger Federer or Justine Henin!!!!

Best reason there is, right there.

 

[equinox]

not worth it unless you can win several rounds in a futures event.

 

[JRstriker12]

I myself would just settle for the supermodel ball girls.

I think this tournament looks pretty cool. Besides, how many times can you say you were just 15 matches from maybe playing Roger Federer or Justine Henin!!!!

Jeff

I can only think of one tourney that has supermodel ball girls and it isn't in the US. They could charge a much larger entry fee if they did.

IMHO, it would be much more impressive to spend $125 and say you were about 5 rows away from Fed or Justine and enjoyed some pizza and a beer, than to say you were 15 matches away from playing them.

On the same tip:

-I was only a few million votes away from being the President/Senator.
-I'm just a few million dollars away from being rich.
-I'm only 3.0 NTRP points away from being a pro.
-I was only 3 matches away from winning that USTA NTRP tournament (when the final would have been the 3rd match).
-I was only 4 numbers off from winning the lottery.

 

[HookEmJeff]

I can only think of one tourney that has supermodel ball girls and it isn't in the US. They could charge a much larger entry fee if they did.

IMHO, it would be much more impressive to spend $125 and say you were about 5 rows away from Fed or Justine and enjoyed some pizza and a beer, than to say you were 15 matches away from playing them.

On the same tip:

-I was only a few million votes away from being the President/Senator.
-I'm just a few million dollars away from being rich.
-I'm only 3.0 NTRP points away from being a pro.
-I was only 3 matches away from winning that USTA NTRP tournament (when the final would have been the 3rd match).
-I was only 4 numbers off from winning the lottery.

Obviously, most people aren't going to get to within even 10 matches of playing Federer or Henin or whoever they draw at the Open qualifying by winning all the way through. But, I love how you twisted my thought here. I at least got a laugh out of it.

Still, I would say competing and giving it a shot is FAR better and far more impressive (in my humble opinion) than sitting and eating pizza watching at some event. ANYONE with a connection or a ticket to an event can do that. That's not overly special.

Not everyone earns something through the merit of their own playing skill. I'd MUCH rather be able to say that. And I might add, just for the record here, that I am DEFINITELY a few million dollars short of being rich.

This is the 'Tin Cup' event of tennis. I think it would be pretty cool to see a 65-year old Grandpa going out there thinking enough of himself to lace 'em up. People do this in golf every year for the US Amateur. Very much the same concept here.


Jeff

 

[JRstriker12]

Obviously, most people aren't going to get to within even 10 matches of playing Federer or Henin or whoever they draw at the Open qualifying by winning all the way through. But, I love how you twisted my thought here. I at least got a laugh out of it.

Still, I would say competing and giving it a shot is FAR better and far more impressive (in my humble opinion) than sitting and eating pizza watching at some event. ANYONE with a connection or a ticket to an event can do that. That's not overly special.

Not everyone earns something through the merit of their own playing skill. I'd MUCH rather be able to say that. And I might add, just for the record here, that I am DEFINITELY a few million dollars short of being rich.

This is the 'Tin Cup' event of tennis. I think it would be pretty cool to see a 65-year old Grandpa going out there thinking enough of himself to lace 'em up. People do this in golf every year for the US Amateur. Very much the same concept here.


Jeff

I would give props to anyone who wants to compete for sure. I'd have to roll my eyes and groan if they told me how close they were to playing Fed though.

 

[Sumo]

-I was only a few million votes away from being the President/Senator.
-I'm just a few million dollars away from being rich.
-I'm only 3.0 NTRP points away from being a pro.
-I was only 3 matches away from winning that USTA NTRP tournament (when the final would have been the 3rd match).
-I was only 4 numbers off from winning the lottery.

WOW!
You've got a lot going for you.

 

[JRstriker12]

WOW!
You've got a lot going for you.

LOL!!! (10 char)

 

[TonLars]

Seriously, Ton, all you have to is to setup a Paypal account and look for some "sponsorship" on this site.

I am betting there will be at least 5 or 6 folks here who are willing to put in $10 or $20 to see how you may do in this tournament.

If Jolly can win $100 with his Open tourney results, you can certainly raise enough money to put a serious dent on the entrance fee.

As nice as that would be, I wouldnt feel right asking others on this site to give me money. I will see who enters the tournament and decide then if I should enter the sectional tournament. If there are any players there that I want revenge against or that are high level, then I probably will, but otherwise $125 is pretty steep without having prize money and then having to play the national tournament. Does the USTA pay for travel expenses for that?

 

[Topaz]

Tony, I hope you decide to do it!

I know when teams go to Nationals, sometimes the sectional office will kick in a little bit, but is also varies area to area. I've never gone, but when a friend of mine was captaining a team that went all the way, they held several fundraisers at tennis clubs and the like...they raised a lot of money that way.

 

[HunterST]

As nice as that would be, I wouldnt feel right asking others on this site to give me money. I will see who enters the tournament and decide then if I should enter the sectional tournament. If there are any players there that I want revenge against or that are high level, then I probably will, but otherwise $125 is pretty steep without having prize money and then having to play the national tournament. Does the USTA pay for travel expenses for that?

Man, it seems like if you thought you had a relatively easy draw in your section that would be a good reason TO play haha. I bet they don't cover travel costs, but hey if you got through the 16 person tournament you'd automatically get 19,000 dollars

 

[Matt H.]

At 256 men and 256 women per tournament, at 16 sites, the USTA will pull in $1,024,000 of revenue, in exchange for handing out a wild card to the qualies.

One of tennis's biggest knocks is that it's too expensive of a sport. On top of that, the USTA has been raking in dough via increasing all its other fees. $50 bucks to enter a local tournament, $18 bucks to use the website to register for a league team, $42 bucks now for a year membership.


I'm just saying I would've liked to see the grand prize include air fare and hotel trip to New York for when the winner goes to Flushing and loses in the first round of qualies.

 

[TonLars]

Man, it seems like if you thought you had a relatively easy draw in your section that would be a good reason TO play haha. I bet they don't cover travel costs, but hey if you got through the 16 person tournament you'd automatically get 19,000 dollars

:shock: Are you sure of this? If you are in the qualifying you get paid? I think that you only get paid for main draw.

 

[EP1998]

I am pretty sure you get money and points for reaching quali. in a slam even if you lose the match. In women's $50K up players get points and some money even if they lose in first round of quali. Anything lower like $10K I think you have to qualify to get a point.

The problem with this tournament is that its open to everyone so it will be very tough to get through.

 

[TonLars]

I am pretty sure you get money and points for reaching quali. in a slam even if you lose the match. In women's $50K up players get points and some money even if they lose in first round of quali. Anything lower like $10K I think you have to qualify to get a point.

The problem with this tournament is that its open to everyone so it will be very tough to get through.

Well, thats cool then at least! But youre right, theres going to be some big timers at that national tournament, ranked inside the top 200 or better for sure.

 

[JRstriker12]

One thought on this tourney. It will probably be fun to watch. USTA should try to get people out to watch the best in thier section go at it. Maybe have it coincide with the tennis block parties or something.

 

[cmb]

1st round of qualis gets around 3000 bucks. I know 2 years ago at Roland Garros the first round of qualis loser for 2000 euros.

Your section should kick in a grand to cover expenses for the 16man playoff in NY, but knowing the USTA I doubt it.

In france they have a similar thing, each region has a tournament and they take 2 or 3 depending on the region, and then they all play a tournament in Paris, the difference is that in france they pay your travel fees, and give u 200 euros a day to cover hotel and expenses. Don't look for the usta to do anything like that, they only try to suck as much money out of us as they can.

 

[J011yroger]

I was under the impression that this was just another scheme for the USTA to make money with.

If they really gave a crap about giving a wildcard to a deserving candidate, they should just invite any ATP ranked americans, and a reasonable number of ranked DI kids, to the tournament, and have a nominal entry fee.

Not make this grand thing, with outrageous entry fees to bilk a million dollars out of a bunch of dreamers.

J

 

[HunterST]

:shock: Are you sure of this? If you are in the qualifying you get paid? I think that you only get paid for main draw.

Oh crap, I guess I thought the winner got a wild card into the main draw. Although, the WC into the qualifiers seems much more realistic.

Anyway first round losers in the qualies get 3,000.

 

[equinox]

I can imagine the costs for traveling/accommodation to sectional, national and qualifying events to meet or exceed $3000. Crazy if usta doesn't kick in for national qualifiers and then the wc winner.

 

[J011yroger]

Crazy if usta doesn't kick in for national qualifiers and then the wc winner.

How can they overpay their execs and coaches if they give money to players?

Are ye daft?

J

 

[Bud]

I was under the impression that this was just another scheme for the USTA to make money with.

If they really gave a crap about giving a wildcard to a deserving candidate, they should just invite any ATP ranked americans, and a reasonable number of ranked DI kids, to the tournament, and have a nominal entry fee.

Not make this grand thing, with outrageous entry fees to bilk a million dollars out of a bunch of dreamers.

J

As cynical as it is... I tend to agree with you. I don't buy this crap about opening up the tournament and making it more accessible to 'normal' tennis players.

You'll get a bunch of people joining the USTA thinking they'll get that one spot.

 

[J011yroger]

As cynical as it is... I tend to agree with you. I don't buy this crap about opening up the tournament and making it more accessible to 'normal' tennis players.

You'll get a bunch of people joining the USTA thinking they'll get that one spot.

Right, and if they care about the players, then they can put out a decent F'ing tournament.

You know what I would rather they have instead of this BS?

A decent tournament.

Charge me $150.

Let me play Singles, Doubles, Mixed.

Give me consolation draws when I get my ass handed to me in the first round.

Give me a T-Shirt for entering.

Feed me a continental breakfast. Bagels, danish, coffee, tea, juice.

Feed me a decent lunch. Barbeque, fries, salad, soda, chips, pretzels, fruit, cake.

Make fruit, gatoraid, and water available throughout the day.

Have it somewhere big so I can hang out and BS with all of my tennis friends.

Give out trophies and prizes to all 1st, 2nd, 3rd place players. I don't need a new Lexus, but a tennis bag, a cooler, an assortment of chocolates. Show me you care.

Make it something I want to play in, make it something that my friends and family want to attend too, charge them $40 to eat, drink and watch.

Have raffles, and door prizes. Donate the money from the raffles to the grassroots programs, or to give poor kids racquets.

Make this an organization I am proud to be a member of.

J

 

[Who Dey Nation]

I might just enter for the heck of it. I don't think I would lose 0-0 to any D-1 Players. However what I am concerned about is that my SW section is in PHX, not to far from all the players in SoCal.......

 

[equinox]

anything stopping players from section shopping?

 

[HunterST]

Right, and if they care about the players, then they can put out a decent F'ing tournament.

You know what I would rather they have instead of this BS?

A decent tournament.

Charge me $150.

Let me play Singles, Doubles, Mixed.

Give me consolation draws when I get my ass handed to me in the first round.

Give me a T-Shirt for entering.

Feed me a continental breakfast. Bagels, danish, coffee, tea, juice.

Feed me a decent lunch. Barbeque, fries, salad, soda, chips, pretzels, fruit, cake.

Make fruit, gatoraid, and water available throughout the day.

Have it somewhere big so I can hang out and BS with all of my tennis friends.

Give out trophies and prizes to all 1st, 2nd, 3rd place players. I don't need a new Lexus, but a tennis bag, a cooler, an assortment of chocolates. Show me you care.

Make it something I want to play in, make it something that my friends and family want to attend too, charge them $40 to eat, drink and watch.

Have raffles, and door prizes. Donate the money from the raffles to the grassroots programs, or to give poor kids racquets.

Make this an organization I am proud to be a member of.

J

Haha I'm not sure all that hearty eating would make for good tennis. After a lunch of barbecue, fries, soda, cake, etc., in the 85 degree heat, there might be some upchucking on the court.

I get what you're saying though. Make a reputable tournament instead of one based on false hopes.

 

[EP1998]

Right, and if they care about the players, then they can put out a decent F'ing tournament.

You know what I would rather they have instead of this BS?

A decent tournament.

Charge me $150.

Let me play Singles, Doubles, Mixed.

Give me consolation draws when I get my ass handed to me in the first round.

Give me a T-Shirt for entering.

Feed me a continental breakfast. Bagels, danish, coffee, tea, juice.

Feed me a decent lunch. Barbeque, fries, salad, soda, chips, pretzels, fruit, cake.

Make fruit, gatoraid, and water available throughout the day.

Have it somewhere big so I can hang out and BS with all of my tennis friends.

Give out trophies and prizes to all 1st, 2nd, 3rd place players. I don't need a new Lexus, but a tennis bag, a cooler, an assortment of chocolates. Show me you care.

Make it something I want to play in, make it something that my friends and family want to attend too, charge them $40 to eat, drink and watch.

Have raffles, and door prizes. Donate the money from the raffles to the grassroots programs, or to give poor kids racquets.

Make this an organization I am proud to be a member of.

J

These tournaments do exist but you have be a girl! As an example, here is what you get at one of the womens events: breakfast daily (and not day old bagels either), boxed lunch daily, two dinners and player party with full bar. Swag includes two shirts, a hat, tote bag, energy bar, pack of drink mix, sunblock, playing cards, towel and other misc. Full use of spa and gym. On site athletic trainer and massage therapist. Tournament raises money for local kids and also awards a scholarship to a local student. Full feed in consies so even if you win your first round but lose your second, you still go into the back draw and get another match (for both singles and doubles). The organizers of this event are veterans of the days when women got zippo prize money and had to look out for each other.

 

[EP1998]

1st round of qualis gets around 3000 bucks. I know 2 years ago at Roland Garros the first round of qualis loser for 2000 euros.

Your section should kick in a grand to cover expenses for the 16man playoff in NY, but knowing the USTA I doubt it.

In france they have a similar thing, each region has a tournament and they take 2 or 3 depending on the region, and then they all play a tournament in Paris, the difference is that in france they pay your travel fees, and give u 200 euros a day to cover hotel and expenses. Don't look for the usta to do anything like that, they only try to suck as much money out of us as they can.

I love the fft.