Tennis weekend fast facts:
What: Australian Open Wildcard Playoff Presented By the USTA
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: Life Time Peachtree Corners in Norcross
Schedule: Matches start at 11 a.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Tickets: $15 per day or $45 for the weekend for adults and $10/$25 for kids.
Jensen Brothers exhibition Saturday night starts at 6 p.m. $15.
Free kid’s festival Saturday at 10 a.m.
With winter gripping most of the northern hemisphere, it’s possible to experience a little of the Australian summer this weekend in Peachtree Corners.
It seems strange, but the 2014 Australian Open begins in Gwinnett County as eight American men and eight American women tennis professionals vie for a spot in the main draw of the first major tennis championship of the year.
The 2013 Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs, presented by the United States Tennis Association, will take place indoors Friday through Sunday at Life Time Athletic.
The event is a winner-take-all format, where the two champions will receive the USTA’s wild card spot into the Australian Open, to be held Jan. 13-26 in Melbourne. Qualifying can be a springboard to bigger and better things. Some of these young players are potential up-and-coming tennis stars of tomorrow.
Last year’s winner, Madison Keys, is currently ranked No. 38 in the world and on the verge of being seeded at major events.
Local tennis fans may recognize some names in the tournament, including Atlantan Jarmere Jenkins, who will be playing in his hometown for the first time as a professional. The matches will also feature Grace Min of Lawrenceville and former Atlanta resident Victoria Duval.
Jenkins, a former University of Virginia player and NCAA singles runner-up, is understandably fired up.
“It’s really exciting,” said Jenkins from his training base in Boca Raton, Fla. “I’ll have my family and friends out to watch and I’m 100 percent healthy.”
Top seeds are Denis Kudla of Arlington, Va., for the men and Shelby Rogers of Charleston, S.C., for the women. But the weekend is about more than just watching tennis.
The three days are also filled with clinics for both men and women and a free kid’s festival Saturday morning, where junior players will have a chance to win prizes and get instruction from the professionals.
On Saturday evening, the 1993 French Open doubles champions, Luke and Murphy Jensen, will play doubles against five local teams in the “Battle of Georgia” exhibition. Tickets are $15.
Organizers know the annual event is a chance to showcase young tennis stars and promote the sport. It helps cement Atlanta’s reputation as one of the top tennis cities in the world. The two other cities that hold this event each year Shenzhen, China, and Melbourne.
Fans can expect to be treated to some Australian food and wine throughout the weekend. It may not include “shrimp on the barbie,” but don’t miss the desserts from the Australian Bakery. In past years, surprises for children such as kangaroos from a local petting zoo have also shown up.
Tickets for the Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs, Battle of Georgia exhibition and the clinics can be purchased on www.australianwildcard.com.
Single-day tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids. Full weekend packages available for adults and kids at $45 and $25, as well as VIP table reservations by the day or for the weekend.
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