McDonalds Mid-Atlantic $30,000 Championships Underway

by Charles Tilley

The USTA-MAS McDonald's Men's and Women's Open Clay Court $30,000 Championships began earlier this week at Salisbury Country Club. This is a high level tournament carrying cash prizes for the winners It is open to all Mid-Atlantic residents, pulling players from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. Most semi-finals will take place on Friday and many finals will occur on Saturday. Scott Steinour, head pro at Salisbury, is overseeing the tournament, which has many local players, both adults and juniors competing. However, as the tournament has progressed, only high level players remain in the draws.

Some players to look for on Friday in the Men's Singles are Sanam Singh, a current U.V.A. tennis player who has experience with the Indian Davis Cup team, and David McNamara, an accomplished ATP Tour (professional) doubles player with 13 titles to his name and a competitor in the 2000 Australian Open. There are certainly other top-notch players in the men's field. On the women's side Petra Rampre, a Slovenian native who has amassed 302 WTA match wins, and Shadisha Robinson, a former University of Georgia player ranked #1 in doubles in #6 in singles in the ITA (collegiate) rankings, are competing. Spectators are both welcome and expected out at Salisbury.

Match Schedules (all times p.m.):

• Men's Singles: Semi-finals at 5:00 on Friday, Finals at 6:00 on Saturday.
• Women's Singles: Semi-finals at 4:00 on Friday, Finals at 4:00 on Saturday.
• Men's Doubles: Semi-finals at 7:00 on Thursday, Finals at 8:00 on Friday.
• Women's Doubles: Semi-finals at 6:00 on Thursday, Finals at 6:00 on Friday.
• Mixed Doubles: Semi-finals at 9:00 on Thursday, Finals at 8:00 on Saturday.

Richmond Tennis Hall of Fame

In 1990 the Richmond Tennis Association (then the Richmond Tennis Patrons Association) established and inducted the first class of the Richmond Tennis Hall of Fame. In 1995 a second class was inducted, and a third in 1997. Since 1997 the Hall of Fame has been dormant and there have been no new inductees. WELL NO LONGER!

The RTA has decided to reinstate the Hall of Fame! In fact the RTA has already elected eight new members for the 2009 class who will be announced publicly at the finals of the McDonalds Mid-Atlantic Open Clay Court Championships July 18th. The induction ceremony will be Oct. 24 at Westwood Racket Club.

To be considered, a person or institution must have a minimum of 10 years of contribution to Richmond tennis. In the player category, the individual must have established outstanding competitive achievements with consideration given to sportsmanship and character. In the non-player category, the individual or entity must have made outstanding contributions within the capital city area with consideration given to dedication to the game.

Prior inductees are:

1990

Arthur Ashe, Sr.
Arthur Ashe, Jr.
Dorothy Chewning
Louis Einwick
Samuel Woods
Crestar Bank
Fidelity Bankers Life Insurance Co.

1995

Susan Cain
Harold Burrows
Waller Horsley
Robert Leitch, Sr.
John Watson
Thalhimers Stores

1997

Jerry DePew
Frank Maloney
Massie Valentine
Home Beneficial Life Insurance co.

July 2009 - What's the Call

Question: Player A attempts to hit a ball during a point but the ball appears to bounce down and strike Player A's end of the court before crossing the net. Player A and Player B disagree on which side of the net the ball first bounced. Whose call is it?

Answer: In this scenario, it is Player B's call. Section 21 of the Code provides, in relevant part, that "a player shall make the ruling on a ball that the player's opponent hits into the ground before it goes over the net."

Got a question about the rules of tennis?
Think you've been "greased" by your opponent during a match and just can't sleep until the issue is resolved? Go ahead and submit your question to "What's the Call?" at eric@ericperkinslaw.com. Sample questions and answers will be posted monthly.