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For many tennis players in the United States, playing at Flushing Meadows in the U.S. Open is just a dream, but this year the open is “open” to the public. KSMU’s Matt Evans has more.
Hundreds of tennis players across the nation will compete for a wild-card berth in the 2010 U.S. Open. This is the first time the tennis tournament has opened up a chance for anybody to compete; the only requirements to compete in the qualifying tournament are to be older than 13 and be a member of the U.S. Tennis Association. This weekend, Springfield will host the second of the 16 qualifiers across the country. Larry Haugness, who manages the Cooper Tennis Complex where the tournament is being held, says down the road this event could bring people to Springfield from all over the world.
“You’re going to find some people who are probably around number two or three hundred in the world are going to say, ‘Whoa, you know, I can go to Springfield, Missouri, and play in this qualifier and have a better chance of getting into the U.S. Open than I would normally have.’”
The U.S. Open National Playoffs consist of 16 sectional qualifying tournaments like the one being held in Springfield. Then the winners of the 16 tournaments play each other for a spot in the U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament and possibly alongside players like Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, or Roger Federer.
Sean Kembell of Springfield, is the Head Tennis Coach for Branson High School. He says a chance to play in the U.S. Open is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I think every tennis player dreams of playing in a grand slam so you can’t let this opportunity not present itself. You got to go for it.”
Kembell is a former number two ranked doubles player and number four ranked singles player for Missouri State University. He says he’s excited for his 8:30 match against Chris Smith from Kansas City Saturday morning.
“I’m playing to win, but I think there are some people who are just going to go have fun.”
In case of bad weather, there are some indoor courts at Cooper where the matches may be played. The tournament is scheduled to start at 8 Saturday morning and will continue through Monday.
For KSMU News, I’m Matt Evans.
