U.S. Open junior wild cards released
I want to preface this post by saying that like seeding, it's a lot easier to criticize wild card selection than it is to do it.
Here are the USTA's boys wild card selections for the main and qualifying draws of the U.S. Open Junior Championships:
MAIN
1. Brennan Boyajian
2. Mike McClune
3. Wil Spencer
4. Marcus Fugate
5. Bradley Klahn
6. Rhyne Williams
7. Chase Buchanan
8. Jarmere Jenkins
QUALIFYING
1. Ryan Thacher
2. Ryan Harrison
3. JT Sundling
4. Alex Domijan
5. Austin Krajicek
6. Tatsuma Ito
The 16s winner in Kalamazoo traditionally gets a main draw, and the finalist a qualifying. As you've probably gathered, I believe that Ryan Thacher should have been given a main draw wild card, given his performance in Kalamazoo, Palm Springs, Rockville and Scottsdale. He played every major USTA event, including the 16s Intersectionals and 18s Team Championships, won by Southern Calfornia, and yet he is not considered to have played the "competition" that the other wild cards have.
Rodney Harmon was kind enough to explain to me the reasoning behind the USTA choices, and basically, they come down to birth year. Ryan Thacher should be compared to Mike McClune and Wil Spencer, who also have 1989 birth years (as does Boyajian), not to Klahn and Jenkins (1990s), who finished behind him in Kalamazoo, or Williams and Buchanan (1991s) who played the 18s in Kalamazoo. (Thacher has two wins over Buchanan this spring.) I understand the value of giving younger players experience, but that must be balanced by putting on the court players with a realistic chance of winning matches. 
And speaking of players born in 1989, where is Tyler Hochwalt's wild card? Seeded 27th, he finished sixth in Kalamazoo, losing to McClune and Kellen Damico, who will be seeded in New York. Not even a qualifying wild card (he beat Fugate in qualifying in last year's Open)? I can't begin to understand that reasoning. How about Adam El Mihdawy, who finished third in Kalamazoo?
Wil Spencer will not be playing in New York due to the ankle injury he suffered in his quarterfinal match in Kalamazoo, so that will free up a main draw wild card for someone. I'm too confused to even guess who it may be.
The girls wild cards are as follows:MAIN:
1. Lauren Embree (16s winner)
2. Jamie Hampton
3. Mallory Burdette
4. Melanie Oudin
5. Ashley Weinhold
6. Christina McHale
7. Mary Gambale
8. To be confirmed
QUALIFYING
1. Mallory Cecil
2. Beatrice Capra
3. Alexandra Anghelescu
4. Brittany Augustine
5. To be confirmed
6. Matoba Yuka
Interesting that Chelsey Gullickson was given a women's qualifying wild card, but, unlike Marcus Fugate, not a main draw junior wild card. Gail Brodsky, who won the Women's National Open last December and was a Junior Orange Bowl 14s finalist, is out of luck, as is Ellah Nze, who is 585 in the WTA rankings. Both are "alternates" as of yesterday.
And could somebody please explain to me why we are trading qualifying wild cards with Japan? Australia, France or Great Britain I could understand, but nothing that Japan can give entry to can possibly compare to what we're providing.
53 comments:
Scratch your head. A kid from New York finishes 3rd in singles and 1st in doubles in the biggest US 16 and under tournament, but cannot get a wildcard into his own backyard.
We agree
Yes, it is far easier to criticize the list than to compile it. That being said, this is further evidence that the USTA operates as an "old boys' club."
The kid from new york has never played intersectionals, 18's team championships or zonals...so is not considered a "team player." Look, if you want to get the wild cards, you have to play the USTA game which El Midhawy doesn't do.
The wildcard selections for the U.S open are absoluteley repulsive, repugnant, and more importantly preposterous. Let me commence my criticism of these wildcard selections by discussing 14 year old adolescent prodigy, Ryan Harrison. Him being granted a wildcard goes against all moral standards considering the fact that he is not fit to compete with juniors of gargantuan proportion. Tyler Cochwalt should definitely have been granted the wildcard instead of him. Secondly, Andrew Kells who got to the finals of clay courts was not even considered for the wild card, and he definitely would be a swell candidate for the spot. And last but not least, Austin needs to be careful about his comments about Drew Daniel having supposed to beat the #27 seed because the #27 seed put in a lot of hard work in the offseason and lost a nailbiting 6-4 in the third match that could have gone either way. Austin, nobody is supposed to beat anybody and to say that really hurt the #27 seed's feelings. Watch your mouth young man.
Austin: Be careful when talking about the #27 seed. why is he supposed to lose? the
#27 seed lost a very tight nailbiter 6-4 in the third. Please read what you write carefully and make sure not to hurt people's feelings when saying someone is supposed to beat somebody else. In mens tennis anyting can happen.
Sanjip Guptananadan
Be nice to the #27 seed. He is a hard working tennis player.
To Anonymous, First of all I agree with you Tyler Hochwalt is very deserving of a wildcard. The reason Ryan was granted a wildcard was because he was in the Czech Republic representing his Country and it was held at the same time as Kalamazoo so he was not able to try and win the wildcard that way. He has in fact beaten Andrew Kells a few months ago at the International Spring Championships in the semis. He also defeated Rhyne Williams in the 1st rd. of the I.T.F.grasscourts tournament a couple of months ago and defeated Ryan Thacher at the 16s Intersectionals last month. Brennan Boyajian beat him badly at the Clay Courts this year but they did split 2 three set matches last year. You are right he is only 14 and is very up and down with his results and bigger kids sometimes can overpower him from time to time but he does also have the Wins to back up his selection. There are many other kids who could make a case for deserving a wildcard as well. Each year the U.S.T.A. grants a wildcard to the American player who plays 1 for the U.S. in the 14 and under World Championships since he is unable to play Kalamazoo so that is the main reason he got the wildcard but he also has the Wins to back it up. Thanks Pat Harrison
To Pat Harrison:
Andrew Kells happened to be injured in that match and was leading 6-1, 4-1. Furthermore, Ryan lost 6-0, 6-0 in the final to a very mediocre high school player. Now his win over Ryan Thacher and Ryhne Williams happened to be on clay and grass. Not hard court where the result would have been very different.
Albeit, I agree with the fact that since he is #1 in the 14's he should be granted a wildcard but only time will tell if this wildcard was given to the right person.
TO the wild
card committee:
I know a sad case of a good friend of mine who didn't get the wildcard. David Clark was in a unique situation with his ailing grandma living only a 3 minute subway ride away and she has not seen him play tennis in 6 years. The only opportunity for her to see him play in a tournament was the U.S open. Due to the fact that he was rejected by the wildcard committee, she will never see him play again. I am at a loss of words for this and can only describe the wildcard committee as pitiful.
Sanjip
To Anonymous or Sanjip, First of all to insult Kyle McMorrow that way is a classless joke. As you can see by the caliber of players in that draw to win that tournament is anything but medicore. Was Kells injured before he was up 6-1,4-1 or after. You stated that he deserved to be included in the U.S. Open wildcard for getting to the finals of the Claycourts but at the same time criticize Ryans win over Ryan Thacher for being on clay. Mister anonymous you cant have it both ways either all the matches count or they dont. How many times do you think my child has played sick or injured and lost without making excuses and simply said he got his butt kicked as he did by Kyle McMorrow. He has played Rhyne williams 5 times through the years and won all 5 times on clay, hard and grass so your comment there was obviously said out of ignorance. In the past 2 years he has wins over 7 of the guys who received wildcards in the main or qualies some who he has played more than once and never lost to.As for beating Thacher on clay there is no doubt that it is not his favorite surface but it is obviously not Ryan Harrisons best surface either and Thacher did make it to the Final 16 of the 18s Claycourts a week later. Does he have to win a match for you to think he was worthy or 2 matches or what? I would never have the guts to criticize other peoples children and then turn around and ask for sympathy in the same letter. My children have lost family members in the past as well so I can sympathize with you on that but have a little more respect for other peoples children in the future, Sincerely Pat Harrison
Message to Colette, Harrison, Sanjip, or anybody: Why cant parents just shut up, let the kids make their calls, and play? Sometimes I wish junior tennis could be like the final scene of Rocky 3. Remember after Apollo Creed helped Rocky defeat Clubber Lang, and he needed Rocky to grant him a little favor? They met in the ring, with no fans, no distractions, and went at it. With the stuff that goes on at most tournaments, and on this board, I sometimes wish tennis matches could be the same. I am a junior player, and I love tennis . I love the feeling of being one on one against another human being. And to be exercising at the same time is like a bonus. But this other stuff is a total joke it really is. The parents are ten times more into this than us. Maybe when I have children I will understand all of this?
Steffi said...
Why can't we all get along!!
Life is short,so count your blessings,
and try to "Live Life to the Fullest"
To Daniel, First of all when you have children you will understand. I would never criticize other peoples children or let my children talk back to adults which is why I havent let my children respond to what they read on this website and instead respond myself. But my children have been criticized quite often on here and I have merely stated the facts and answered questions as they were raised on this website which is why we are all reading it and responding to it just as you did. When a child responds an adult is put in a no win situation responding to them but I respect your opinion and wish you well and hope you continue reading this just as I will and more importantly continue your love for the game after all if people didnt get on here to give opinions what would we be on here for. Good luck in the future. Sincerely Pat Harrison
To Daniel,
Unless you happen to live a few blocks from Stowe Tennis Center, why don't you take care of every minute detail when you go to Kalamazoo next time before you go complaining about over-indudlging parents. And then in the fall, take care of all administration aspects of you going to school, scheduling, getting to practice, taking care of nutrition, being responsible for any siblings you may have, and please take care of the home you live in. Then Daniel, pay for it, before you go complaining about how parents become too involved. Its our job, and yes, you may understand it more when you are a parent.
We love our kids uncondtionally and yes, some parents do go overboard occasionally. But I'll wager that the player with supportive, devoted parents, even the ones that are too "into it", are more successful on the court and in school as opposed to the other option.
This "other stuff" that you claim to be "a joke" is anything but a joke. It's huge Daniel. Players have worked all year long and have waited desparately for the wildcard lists and are devastated when their name isn't there, no matter who it is, El Mihdawy, Hochwalt, Forman, Kells, Barrick, or Daniel, to name a few.
We can't guess as to how the US Open Juniors is going to play out in the next few weeks. I just wish to heck there was a protocol, an understanding, as to why a month and a year a player is born into is the basis for determining these wildcards. I just would think the USTA wants to put healthy, strong deserving players, sportsmen as well, on the court representing their Country with a pretty darn good chance of winning matches. Its so simple, its stupid.
Just to clear things up that Sanjip person was not me. I have no idea who that was. Mr. Harrison, I was not injured, Ryan just played better at the end. Good luck to him in the qualies.
Mr. Kells, What a gentleman, your parents raised you right. It is to your credit that someone alerted you to the site and you immediately addressed the situation. On the other hand, Mr. Harrison, either you have finally learned to be gracious or someone else is now writing responses for you because you have been defensive and argumentative in most of your past letters. And you have been doing this for at least a couple of years. Yes I am sure there are a lot of jealous parents, but if your children have earned the right to be there fair and square than you will have the last laugh.
To Andrew Kells, Thank you for your classy and thoughtful response. The way kids respond to adults speaks volumes about their upbringing. I hope my children act as classy as you when Im not around and I know your parents must be very proud of you. Sincerely Mr. Harrison
Mr.Harrison,
You are right. I can totally understand you. Being the mother of three, I see where you are coming from. I never meant to insult you or your son who is probably one of the best 14 year olds in the world. I was just a little heated over the wildcard situation, because somebody that should have gotten it didn't. Moreover, you are a well respected coach and I apologize for not giving your son enough credit. You are right a win is a win no matter if it is on my native country' s surface of cow dung or the clay courts where your son did so well. Also, Kyle Mcmoorow is a great player with gorgeous strokes and nice footwork. Again, I apologize and didnt mean to come off so harsh. Good luck to Ryan in the qualies. I love you
Sanjip
To Anonymous, I dont think I have been defensive or argumentative unless answering a sarcastic letter with a sarcastic reply is defensive and argumentative. I have tried to answer all questions brought up on this website whether it be personal or otherwise as honestly as possible if I feel like I have some personal knowledge on the subjects written about. You will have to ask Collette about how long this website has been going but I certainly dont think it has been 2 years and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the articles and comments whether they are good,bad,personal or indifferent. I have been on vacation this week so I have had more time than normal to respond to things written. That will probably all change with the school Academy starting up tomorrow but Ill respond when I can. Thanks Pat Harrison
Mr.Harrison,
My son, happens to be good friends
with Andrew Kells , and we can assure
you, that he will never make excuses for himself, win or lose .And most
importantly, he will never say any
derogatory comments about anybody .
A testament to his character,is the
fact that he won several sportsmanships awards,including the
clay courts in which he was a finalist.And for the record,Kyle
Mcmorrow is a terrific player, as well as your son Ryan.So,to all
the players to will compete in the
upcoming US Open, we wish you goodluck !
Suzieqzoo
It is impossible for a kid to understand the issues you presented, though I agree with you on many points. They just haven't been there. It was refreshing to read his post though. Your last paragraph made me think of Steve Forman, who you mentioned. Seems like a good kid, concentrates on his studies, does not play every event out there, and I believe he is not a "USTA" kid? Can anyone really think for example that he would not have fared well in the Junior U.S Open? I am in Southern Cal, which is why I use him as an example, but as you said, there are others.
Looking at the wild cards it makes sense that Ryan Harrison got one if USTA high performance traditionally reserves one for the #1 for world team tennis as a thank you for missing the Zoo. I also agree with the other posts that it doesn't make sense to give a 14 year old a wild card when there are older talented kids whose player development would benefit more. I know Pat you believe both your kids walk on water when it comes to tennis and yes we all know they are very good players and are excellent competitors. Yet, the bottom line - whether or not they are will be world-class pros it's 50/50. I know from your posts you feel they have already hit a home run, but they started on third base vs. their peers in that have been hitting 1000s of balls since they were 3 years old with one goal in mind---pro tennis. I hope you don't sacrifice their education in your quest for pro tennis and have a plan B. I can't tell you how many top players who have done the home school route, which is often the bare minimum if that, barely get 500 on their math and English SATs, which is a joke as you get 250 points for writing your name correctly. That just limits options if pro tennis does not work out which it doesn’t for almost all of the top US juniors.
Just a comment about "starting on third base vs their peers in that hitting 1000's of balls..." I may be wrong, but I sense that you feel that it is not the right thing to do, and that it is unfair to the kids that dont do this? Pat Harrison is a guy who did not really make it on tour successfully. Mike Agassi was a former boxer, who wanted his kids to be PRO's. Many more stories like this out there. In the past, and in the future. Parents who want the kids to be PRO's. Its an approach that is different than what many families can do. Maybe due to their financial situations. Maybe due to lack of tennis knowledge or TIME to be able to insure the kids play so much. Maybe a combination of the two? I do feel there are talented kids out there, equal, or maybe more so than the Harrisons that do not get the benefit of this type of instruction, and these kids are who I feel the USTA should seek out and help. Not just focus on the next "Michael Jordan"! However I see nothing wrong with what fathers (or mothers) like Harrison are doing for their kids.
I don't understand why the USTA needs to further thank someone with a wild card for missing the zoo. If I am wrong, please correct me, but aren't these trips to Europe paid for by the USTA?
Yes. Paid in full. But whether anyone wants to admit this or not, many perks exist with being a USTA kid. Not saying this is wrong or right, and without question Ryan Harrison is a great player, but this is just the way it is.
Wow, I sure have missed some heated posts. Here's my thoughts on this wildcard issue. Ryan Harrison, great young player, possibly the best 14yr old out there. Anyone seeded in the top 20 or so at the Zoo in the 18s, better than him...for now. I say this only because of size, age and strength, a clear advantage at this age. He is basically fighting an unfair fight because he hasn't been given the time to physically grow as the kids in the 18's have.
That being said, wildcards should be given to the CURRENT best players available. I don't care who the #1 ranked kid is in the 14's, if they go out there against kids who are 17-18yrs old and are highly ranked they simply will not beat them. They are just so much bigger, stronger and more mature. Don't blame the recipient of the wildcard though, blame the USTA for using that procedure. They created it.
Does anyone else agree that by giving the #1 kid in the 14's a wildcard because they missed playing in the 16's at the 'Zoo they are in a way saying that kid could have won it had they been there? If so I think that is false. Brennan Boyajian seems to be allergic to losing and it wouldn't have mattered who was in the draw.
Now that I know the USTA spends hundreds of thosands of dollars on a few select(noser) kids a year, (and given the results, a crime in itself), I still say that if I had the ability to have multiple children running around the globe playing a game just because it pleased me to do so- I would NOT be like the parents on these posts.
If I swung this kind of gold and influence I would not give a flying fig what anyone else on the planet felt,thought,or did. Instead I would try and understand that Grace is not just the kitchen help out back, that with every life comes a little "weight" to carry- and the small observations and comments some true, some hitting home, is little enough burden.
I have read these posts with interest and my concern is about education and cost. I have a 9 year-old who is a natural athlete. He is good at tennis, baseball and soccer and we will probably not pursue tennis because of the
expense and the amount of school you need to miss to play at the more competitive level.
Two questions?
1. If there is limited (no) support from the USTA for most top
players so parents are expected to foot the bill?
What do parents spend?
2. Is it possible to play at the highest level of the sport and not
sacrifice education? From what I have observed top juniors need to play ITFs and that means home schooling. I am a teacher and some of my friends kids have not done well on the SATs who have done home schooling . for tennis? Seems kids get far behind and home schooling options they chose have minimium standards?
Best 14 yard old in the world? How about Bernard Tomic from Australia. He's 225 in the world and still 13. Or Alex Domajon, Denis Lin, they are still 14. There is a bunch of t aleneted kids out there...And my bet is the the best one is probably someone we have never even heard of yet.
I'm not gonna lie, I agree with Austin.
Anon & The two questions;
Ha ha what a riot... maybe it hasn't dawned on you, since you are writing about Junior tennis like it is a matter of "natural" abilities or even that this level of tennis is even open to the great unwashed. The kids you are reading about here don't need SATs or schools or even need to worry about a "future". It's all bought and paid for, and nobody, certainly no outsider is going to change that, no matter what it costs America in tennis standings. Just go along your way, try volleyball, I hear there is some scholarship money there. Please wake up- the public is not welcome to this club.
To SuzieQ
You say the players are devastated by not getting wildcards. I say many players are devastated because of the outflow of the PARENTS being devastated. I still say that many of the pressures we face are because of you. No, I do not really know the challenges of coordinating trips, and paying for lessons. I am grateful to my parents for doing so. They do the same thing for my brother who is a baseball player, so they are pretty busy. BTW, if my parents get on me about Myspace, I cant wait to show them this where the tennis parents converge!
I want to personally apologize for anonymous... I cant describe what a disgrace the anonymous post of how these kids dont need to worry about their future or SAT's or any of that was. I played junior tennis my whole life and just aged out at the beginning of the summer.I was ranked as high as top ten in the country and will be attending college in teh fall. To the person who posted these two questions dont pay attention to this anonymous response. Maybe 1 or two of the kids we are talking about will end up cracking the top 100 on the pro tour... maybe... The vast majority of these kids will play futures for 2 or 3 years.. realize how hard it actualyl is to make it and end up in some college who doesnt care or pay attention to the fact that this person accepted money while they were playing these semi pro tournaments. I respect everyones opinion on this website but some of the people who come on here and bash these juniors or make comments about how a wildcard into the open is the difference between a kid being top 100 in the world or a bust in absolutely ridiculous and insane. We need to stop having the mindset for kids from an ealry age that they need to go pro before college. Amerincan juniors need to start going to college before they turn pro... at least about 99.9% of them... if you have a sucessful first two years then great turn pro if you want but jumping straight to the pro circuit is ludacris. Everyone talks about how other countries are succesful with player development because all of their kids concentrate on tennis from a very young age and thats their goal. But I leave you with one question... of those 1000 kids who just concentrate on tennis... how many actually make it... maybe ten... the ten we here about... I wonder what the other 990 are doing without a college education right now. It constantly angers me that this is not the mindset of the usta... to develop the vast majority of their players through college tennis as they should.
GAN
Gan, I agree with your post 110% (is there any percentage higher!?)..I strongly feel that the USTA's main focus is to develop PRO players, and to do this as quickly as possible. Better known as, bypassing college. The fast track. That is why IMO players such as Ryan Harrison, who again is a GREAT young player will get wild card consideration ahead of many kids who they feel will not be a top PRO, but who are older, and perhaps again, in their opinion, not going to tear up the PRO Tour anytime soon. I sincerely feel that the younger players, who it is too early to tell whether college first is an option, are favored by the USTA. Its a constant factory of "up and comers", and once THEY have deemed the player past this status, then they move on to the next. A 14 year old kid who has not even grown up yet, with an all court game, and so much upside, compared with a Steve Forman, who they perhaps feel is not worthy of "PRO Prospect" status. I apolgize to Mr Harrison for using his son as an example, it just so happens most of this thread is about him, but it can easily be said the same of other USTA hopefuls as well. Again Gan, great post!
Gan- you completely missed the point,(as well as the spell check), These children will not worry about SATs, schools or the future NOT because they will automatically will make a living in PRO tennis, which is a simple observation, but because they will be left with more money than MIDAS, as well as more family connections to make up shortages in the real world. On all the other issues refered to, you don't seem to argue or refute any other points about the God sent children at this level, because you cannot.
Two things to say here. One, i wish EVERYONE had to go to college for at least a year, it would save people so much money and their careers. If our football and basketball stars can do it then so can our rising tennis prospects. One year of tennis won't kill anyone, and it just might help a kid who thought about turning pro into saying in school. Lets face it, if your not TOP 5 in college then you have ZERO business even thinking about turning pro, even then you might want to stay. If you don't agree with me then I will show you the numbers that strongly do agree with me. Of total people that played college tennis from 2000 on, there is currently ONE in the top 100 of the ATP rankings and he turned pro in 2000. Only Jeff Morrison, Bobby Reynolds and Wesley Moodie(currently in top 100) have even cracked the top 100 so far. James Blake turned pro in '99.
Secondly, if you are going to make such strong and bold statements on here at least throw on some kind of name or screen name or something to let us know each time you post. Thanks.
Umm, without all the verbal sparring and teen bashing, could someone please get back to the original point of the outstanding wildcard berth to be handed out. Does anyone know anything concrete and reliable as to who might get it, and when? Qualis are 9 days away.
It is a shame that so many wildcards are given to younger kids when many older kids have had great results at kalamazoo and would like to take the wildcard. I believe that Mcnaughton was denied one as well as Hochwalt, 6th place this year, Forman, finalist last year, and el midhawy for third place this year. THese players would die for the wild card yet the players that play every single itf are getting them. why not give the new people the opportunity
The rules, to make it simple, are that the USTA reserves the wild cards for juniors who they deem has the potential to be a top pro. If you are a top 18 year old year but in their view see your pro potential as very limited, then you have no hope of getting their US Open wild card. That is their modus operandi.
Jesse Witten is now in. No word yet on how he got there (replacing a player or wildcard), but he's there!
Tennisstringman
again, I'll use Steve Forman as an example (from my area). So for instance, if this kid were to not opt to go to College (Wake Forest), but instead try to turn pro, and play in futures and challengers..would that have given him (or any other talented 17-18 birth year that is not ready for the tour NOW) a better chance of getting wildcard consideration? Austin's statistics on College players going PRO was quite sobering..I'm just wondering why it HAS to be a death sentence from the USTA's perspective if these older kids are not ready for the tour. Yes, back to Austin's stats, but..maybe the USTA could help reverse this trend by giving more focus to the College game? And then how about throwing away "potential", and talk facts: No offense to certain players, but Forman and others would beat these USTA up and comers perhaps 0 and 0. A novel idea huh, giving players this priviledge (U.S Open) based on how their ability stacks up in the present?!
Colette, to get back to your question about the WC exchange with Japan, I imagine that we received a main draw WC into the Osaka Mayors Cup in Japan. That's a major ITF junior event, so it wouldn't be such a bad deal. If, however, we only got a qualifying WC, then it was a bad deal.
Witten is playing in qualifiers as I type this.
steven s, I totally agree with you, Steve Forman is a great player who would beat the pants off of many of the players who received a wild card. And yes, IMO, if he bypassed college he would have increased his chances of receiving the USTA wildcard. That's just the way the USTA sees it, not that I agree with it. They want to produce top pros to replace Sampras and Agassi to fill the seats at the US Open where they make all their funding. From their point of view, desparate times require desparate actions.
I would venture to say that their are many talented juniors out there, who the USTA would never look at, OR, perhaps give up on because gold balls were not happening, or ITF's were not being contested at the age of 15-16-17 the latest. I think their way of thinking is disgusting. Tennis players take different paths. Bolletteiri kids, especially the talented girls, are ready for high level competition at very early ages. And then kids like Forman. So what if he is not ready to tackle Federer at the age of 17! But if they see a Ryan Harrison, who Forman could not just "show up" for, they get all excited. Story Tweedie Yates is a female player that was #6 singles at Stanford, and then switched schools, and I "think" made the final 4 of the NCAA's the following year. Dont know how she will do on tour, but I believe she's trying it out. Again, different paths. If the stats for going PRO are indeed bad for players going the college route, how does it help when you deny qualified GOOD players wildcards?
For any talented kids out there that are not on the USTA's radar screen, because of the RESULTS NOW focus..please keep fighting. Motivation, talent, and good coaching may get you farther in the long run, and then when the USTA puts your picture on their junior development website, maybe you can just smile one day and say, "yeah right!". Like Querrey may be doing.
I'm under the impression that some people think Sam Querrey just got really good. This is a kid who got 4th at the hard courts in the 12's, won it in the 14's and 16's, then made the finals in his first year of the 18's. He has always been at the top.
Interesting Austin. I had heard that he has never really been involved with USTA High Performance, especially as a youngster, but I may be wrong?
Dont see what all the hype/focus is about Ryan Harrison on this blog. yes a good player for his age but there are several in that group including Domijan and Denis Lin who are also 14 with as good/better results. Lin has recent wins over both Harrison and Sundling. That's why it does not make sense why USTA high performance gave two 14 year olds wild cards to the qualies. Should have chosen one and then give a junior with stronger results a chance to shine no matter the age. The USTA should stop age discrimination.
Austin Krajicek has been given a main draw wild card into the U.S. Junior Open, replacing Wil Spencer. He was originally given a qualifying WC.
Adam El Mihdawy has been given a qualifying WC, replacing Krajicek.
Ryan Thacher, who was given a qualifying WC, no longer appears on the entry list. Thus, there's one available qualifying WC.
Tyler Hochwalt is now in the qualifying draw after several players withdrew. Drew Daniel is the next alternate.
Altogether, there are 14 U.S. players in the main draw and 12 U.S. players in the qualifying draw (assuming that the last WC goes to an American).
Great to see Donald Young take the set of Djokovic, that may prove very big for Young's psyche, knowing he can compete with the big boys. OK, a little off topic, but wanted to see this to 50!
So how did Adam El Mihdawy get a wild card over other American's that were ranked higher in the ITF's. Not that he isn't a good player, but I was just wondering if seeing your name on this website doesn't lead to a wild card. I see that Yankee fan was scratching his head over the kid not being given a wild card and bam, he gets one. Anyone know how it works? I want to make sure I play the correct tournaments next year because I will be turning 13 in July too.
Hello, i just wanted to say that i saw Christian Harrison play, this weekend in TARBES, France, and he was just terrific.. Good luck in the future, Christian, hope to see you again next year, and next year, you'll win !! Promise me !!
the entire Hall was with Boltz, but i supported you, and i believed in you !! Too bad i had no opportunity to see the final on sunday, vs Carlos, i wld have supported you even more than on saturday !!
bonne chance !! see you in 2008 !!
Sonia - France feb05/2007
Hi everyone, I’m French and as a tennis player, tennis coach and (obviously) tennis fan, I go to see Les Petits As Tournament every year. And I must admit that I was really stunned by one player, that is………….. Christian Harrison !!! The first thing that struck me and that I appreciated about him was his fist. Contrary to so many players whose fists tend to go up and trigger off some hackneyed ‘COME ON or ‘VAMOS’ when they win a point, Christian’s fist stays down and he doesn’t bark when he hits a winner – though he would have plenty of opportunities to do so. This serenity is a quality that I’m really attached to and that seems to become less and less frequent among players. Secondly, I wanted to underline that Christian’s tennis is one of the most beautiful that I have ever seen (although I wonder if it is relevant to write that as anybody who has seen him play will have noticed it). Even though he’s very young and his technique is still perfectible, I personally loooooooooove his volley! It’s very accurate and few players can boast about having such a good one. But I think what I most admired about him was his epic qualities. When he stepped into the court for his semi-final against the French Sébastien Boltz, my friends and I really feared that he might be butchered given the fact that he was almost the youngest player in the tournament and that his opponent was about one head taller than he was. The reality is that we were wrong! He won in three sets and became a real legend for us! He proved to all the kids in the public that size and age aren’t vital in tennis and that if you know how to move your arms and feet and neurons properly, you can win in the most brilliant manner. Now all the kids in my tennis club keep talking about him and see Christian as a role model. And it is also and especially for blowing dreams into the heads of the kids and boosting up their motivation that I hail Christian Harrison as a young hero of modern tennis!!! We plan to print pictures of him and pin them up in our club house. I even have a friend who wrote a small article in French about Christian on her personal blog. I know I may sound over-enthusiastic but this is the way I feel and I’m really happy that there are such great personalities to liven up the world of tennis. Thank you Christian. I promise you one thing, if you ever come back to France for the next Les Petits As (which you’d better do!!!), my friends and I will be there to support you with banderols and everything, though we’ll obviously be moderate so as not to disturb you. I hope this message will get through to you. If you get it, answer back, that’d be awesome! Keep being good, keep working hard. We want to see you on TV in the future. We’re fed up with Federer! Sportily,
Pierrick
PS: even though I’m French, I was supporting you during your semi-final against the French guy. You might have noticed me and my blonde friends (among whom Sonia who’s already posted a comment) in the left tribune above the ball-boys as you are facing the main umpire.
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