USTA Pro Circuit 30th Anniversary

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., January 13, 2009 - The USTA announced today that it will celebrate its 30^th anniversary of the USTA Pro Circuit this year with a new logo and comprehensive record book. The 2009 USTA Pro Circuit, which begins today in Boca Raton, Fla., with a combined men’s and women’s clay court event, includes more than 90 events and a total purse in excess of $3 million.

With prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players, and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed on the USTA Pro Circuit for valuable ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour ranking points.  The USTA Pro Circuit is world-class tennis administered on the local level and played on local tennis courts as part of the fabric of communities nationwide-an opportunity for current and new fans to experience the excitement and intensity of the professional game in their neighborhood.

“During the past 30 years, the USTA Pro Circuit has provided many future stars the opportunity to earn valuable ranking points and to develop their games to succeed as champions,” said Brian Earley, Director, USTA Pro Circuit. “By bringing world-class tennis to communities throughout the country, the USTA Pro Circuit has played a major role in the USTA’s mission of promoting and developing the growth of the game.”

“The USTA Pro Circuit was definitely instrumental in helping me to get to the top 10 in the world,” said Andy Roddick.  “I played Futures starting when I was 15 years old and then I worked my way up to the Challengers.  The Challengers really helped me build my game and my confidence for when I did hit the pro tour.  It’s a great stepping stone and is really fun to play in as well.”

Since 1979, 15 USTA Pro Circuit alums (including five Americans) achieved the No. 1 world singles ranking. Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport, Jelena Jankovic, Pete Sampras, Justine Henin, Jim Courier and Andre Agassi are among the game’s top stars who began their career on the USTA Pro Circuit. The past few years have featured breakout performances by USTA Pro Circuit players. In 2007, John Isner, Ahsha Rolle and Donald Young all reached the third round of the US Open.