For Tennis Parents by a Tennis Parent

UTR events seem to be spreading like wildfire, much to my excitement, and I wanted to let y’all know about a unique one being put on by the Academia Sanchez-Casal (ASC) in Naples, Florida, December 7-10, 2017 (registration deadline is November 30, 2017). Just FYI, the Junior Orange Bowl starts December 10 this year.

The International Junior Cup is open to all U.S and foreign players based on their age and birth year: U14
(born in 2003), U13 (born in 2004), U12 (born in 2005), and U11 (born in 2006). Singles and doubles will
offered. Player UTRs will be used when selecting  – and seeding – players for the Tournament and/or Division/Draw, and all matches will count toward the players’ UTR.

The tournament will use a Compass Draw for singles and single elimination for doubles. Singles participants will play the best of 3 tiebreak sets with a 10-point Match Tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set. For doubles, they will play an 8-game pro set with a 7-Point Tiebreak at 8 games all. There will be four days of extensive play with 5 guaranteed matches (4 singles and 1 doubles). A limited number of practice courts will be available each day on a first-come-first-served basis.

One of the best things about this tournament, though, is the “extras” being offered by Academia Sanchez-Casal. The first of these is a pre-tournament camp (click here for more information) with special rates for all registered players on December 4, 5 & 6, 2017. Players can choose to register for one day or more, including half-day options. You can contact [email protected] for detailed information and to register.

The tournament committee is also working on a series of extra activities at no extra cost for players and
coaches such as a tournament cookout, a sunset cruise, and workshops led by Emilio Sanchez Vicario
(topics covered will include nutrition, fitness, mental preparation, and college placement). Please check
the tournament website for an updated schedule of events.

Tournament winners will get to experience an intensive “Shot Development Weekend” Program, designed for those players who want to improve specific aspects of their game without missing a whole week of school.

Stringing service, locker rooms, and a bar/restaurant are all on site, with special prices and discounts for players.In terms of housing, there is no specific tournament hotel though the academy has secured special tournament rates at several area properties. For more information, click here.

While the entry fees are not the cheapest I’ve seen (Singles: $120 until October 15, 2017 – $150 from October 16, 2017 to November 15, 2017 – $180 from November 16, 2017 to registration close date; Doubles is included with the singles registration. Doubles only fee will be $60 payable on-site), to its credit, ASC has done a bang-up job in securing sponsors for this tournament to help offset some of the costs and to make sure it can offer a top-notch experience to the players and their families. Companies such as Germain BMW of Naples, Head, and Penn – among several others – have stepped up to support the tournament and its events. It’s great to see a tournament director do the extra work to engage the local business community in a junior tournament!

So, if you’re looking for an excuse to escape the winter weather for a few days this December, you can take the family down to South Florida for this great new event and let your junior player experience the world of International Junior Tennis while basking in the Naples sunshine! Best of luck to everyone who enters!