How does an expenses-paid trip to the U.S. Open in New York later this year sound? That includes three nights at a Manhattan hotel and tickets for two days to the grounds of the National Tennis Center during the early rounds of the tournament.
In addition, you could also earn a little extra spending cash to buy a nice dinner out on the town.
All of this would be possible if you took part in and won the title of the Mercedes-Benz Greater Richmond Mixed Doubles Championships April 20-21 at acac Wellness and Fitness Center-Midlothian.
This is the first event, co-sponsored by the Richmond Tennis Association, of the annual city tournament, which also includes open, juniors and family mixed divisions later this year at various locations around town.
The entry fee is $40 per person, all of which will be donated to the Central Region Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Players can register by going to www.richmondtennis.org and through the USTA’s TennisLink online site.
“We’re excited to kick things off this year at acac with the mixed doubles tournament benefitting JDRF,” said Thomas Mills, marketing coordinator for Mercedes-Benz of Richmond and Midlothian.
This is the second year that Mercedes-Benz has served as the primary sponsor for the city tournament.
The winner of the U.S. Open trip, valued at over $2,500, will be chosen in a random drawing from all tournament entrants on the final day of the event. The hotel digs are from Aug. 27-30, with tickets for two to Monday and Tuesday’s daytime sessions that includes daily shuttle to and from the National Tennis Center.
Prize money will be awarded to winners of the three divisions: open, 9.0 and below and 7.0 and below. The open division winning team splits $500 and the runners-up $250. The 9.0 and 7.0 champions each will be awarded $250.
“Players from all around RVA are encouraged to come out and compete for a great cause,” said Jason Kinder, director of tennis at acac. “We’ll be outdoors on the hardcourts, kicking off the outdoor season with a fun, social atmosphere.”
Each team is guaranteed two matches, while each participant will receive a gift from Mercedes-Benz and a tournament T-shirt from the RTA. There will be food and beverages on both days of the tournament for all of the players.
All doubles teams will be based on the U.S Tennis Association’s rating system of 2.5 to 5.0. Regular scoring will be used and there will be eight-game pro sets in the early rounds, with best-of-three sets deciding the semifinals and final.
In the event of a third set, a 10-point tiebreaker will determine the outcome.
The defending champions are Nina Sorkin and Eric Shulman, who defeated Ginny Wortham and Tut Bartzen 6-1, 6-0 in last year’s final at Hermitage Country Club.
The remainder of the tournament includes the family doubles May 13 at Byrd Park, the boys and girls juniors at Byrd Park May 26-29, and the open singles and doubles July 27-31 at Raintree Swim and Racquet Club.