Southern players and organizations are constantly making their mark in the world of tennis. Here's a list of recent awards, achievements and news in May 2017.
Phillips inducted into USPTA Southern Division Hall of Fame
USTA Southern's Tennis Service Represenative Bill Phillips was inducted into the U. S. Professional Tennis Association, Southern Division Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 20 at the organization’s annual convention at the City Club at River Ranch.
Phillips, of Lafayette, LA, has worked as the sole TSR for Louisiana since his hire in 2005.
He has been a member of the USPTA for 31 years and has served at the state, divisional and national level. His recent offices were Division Regional Vice-President and President. He has received numerous awards including Louisiana Chapter Professional of the Year, USPTA Southern Division Pride of the South Award, and the Alan Henry Southern Professional of the Year Award, just to name a few.
Additionally, Phillips is a frequent speaker at state, divisional, and national conferences and is considered an expert presenter on youth tennis and the business aspects of tennis.
The USPTA is the world’s oldest tennis teaching organization and its southern division is its largest with nine states and over 1,700 members.
Sandgren wins in Savannah, gets French Open wildcard
Tennys Sandgren win a wild card into the French Open main draw. Photo: Jacob Stuckey |
Gallatin, TN's Tennys Sandgren kept up his career-best tennis by winning the $75K St. Joseph's Candler Savannah Challenger, a USTA Pro Circuit event, and earning the USTA's Roland Garros Wild Card Challenge.
Sandgren defeated Joao Pedro Sorgi, of Brazil, 6-4, 6-3 in the final. Sandgren pocketed $10,800 along with 80 ATP World Tour ranking points. He rose to his best world ranking, No. 114. Read more on USTA.com.
The USTA has an agreement with the French Tennis Federation to exchange wildcards into their Grand Slam events for a male and a female player. Wildcards in the U.S. were earned with play in three clay-court USTA Pro Circuit tournaments.
He also advanced to the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open singles final last month where he fell to Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4.
Top-seeded Townsend reached Naples final
Atlanta's Taylor Townsend looked strong in advancing to the final of the $25,000 Academia Sanchez-Casal Women's Open. However, second-seeded Sofya Zhuk of Russia won the final 6-4, 7-6(3).
Townsend moved up to No. 131 after the USTA Pro Circuit tournament played in Naples, FL.