PROGRESS FOR AMERICAN COLLEGE TENNIS PLAYERS

Short version

In its inaugural year, the four-team doubles and four-player singles playoff was created to increase the number of American collegiate tennis players who earn wild cards into the U.S. Open. Previously, only the NCAA singles and doubles champions received a main draw wild card, while the other NCAA singles finalist received a qualifying wild card. This season, six wild card entries were up for grabs.

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article309005475.html#storylink=cpy.

While I support more scholarship money for American tennis families and players, this move is indeed encouraging.

My guess is the USTA IS WELL HEELED TO THE POINT THEY DON’T FEAR A LAWSUIT.  This eliminates the long held fear of a discrimination suit.  

Too,  the timing of relaxed amateur restrictions will make college tennis more attractive as a significantly better route to professional possibilities.  College tennis will gallop toward the hands down “Minor leagues of tennis.”

Probably some will resist change.  Internationals hopefully will recognize  that 

Americans are footing their bill for a much better developmental choice, particularly the financial positives.  

The ultra elite American juniors will now command significant college deals.  

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“Your perseverance is paying off.”     ( James Haslam )

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Robert Bayliss	Sun, Jun 22, 10:05 PM (5 days ago)
to me

Tom,

         Great observations. In today’s world of college athletics, any good news is welcome. The folks running college sports for the last 10-15 years should all be brought together and turned over to Islamic terrorists for punishment. I don’t think anyone knows how things will settle, but I certainly am glad that I didn’t have to deal with the likes of NIL, the transfer portal, and everything else that has been filtered into college tennis.

          I played at Richmond, graduating in 1966. In my 4 years of college tennis ( actually 3, as freshmen were ineligible then), I strung every one of my own rackets. I got to use gut my junior year and thought that was a big deal. My sophomore year I rode in the back of Coach’s station wagon with the gear and spare tire, as the other players rode 3 in the front seat and 3 in the back. Complain…. heck no; I was a varsity athlete! We had no strength coach, academic advisor, dietitian, or any of the amenities available to today’s players. I am not jealous and don’t regret a thing. In fact, I believe that I got much more out of my experience than today’s athletes because I had to do it all myself. I was much more prepared for the real world. 

      Sorry for climbing on my soapbox to force my opinion on you, but I imagine it found a receptive audience. Stay well, my friend. We can keep trying to confuse our detractors with logic!

Best regards,

Bobby 

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