Aug. 20, 2015
THE FLATS – After getting through the first week of fall semester classes with his Georgia Tech men’s tennis teammates, sophomore Michael Kay will fly to New England this weekend to take a shot at playing in the U.S. Open.
Kay finished as the runner-up in his U.S. Open sectional qualifying tournament back in June, but he learned Monday that he will participate in this weekend’s U.S. Open National Playoffs in New Haven, Conn., as an alternate.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to play in a tournament involved with the U.S. Open,” said Kay. “I’ve watched it and dreamed about it throughout my career growing up, and the thought that New Haven could be my ticket to New York makes me feel electric.”
Thirteen winners of the U.S. Open sectional qualifiers and three alternates will convene in New Haven for a 16-player pre-qualifying draw that begins Friday and is being staged as part of the Connecticut Open, an Emirates Airlines U.S. Open Series event. The winner of the event earns a wild card entry into the U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament, Aug. 25-28 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., site of the U.S. Open.
The main draw of the U.S. Open, which runs from Aug. 31-Sept. 13, consists of 128 men and 128 women, and 32 of the spots in the two draws (16 men and 16 women) will be filled from the Aug. 25-28 qualifying tournament.
“It’s always a great opportunity to play big matches that are important to you,” Kay added. “There’s only one way to geel comfortable out there in the big moments, and that’s to play great players and learn to enjoy the pressure situations. Opportunities are everything in this sport; I’m always excited to have another.”
Kay has enjoyed a strong summer of tennis which included reaching the finals of the U.S. Open National Playoffs Southern Qualifying tournament and the Atlanta City Open. He went 23-21 in singles for Georgia Tech last year as a freshman.
Kay and the rest of the Yellow Jackets begin their fall schedule Sept. 11-13 with the Southern Intercollegiate Championships in Athens, Ga. Tech hosts its own Georgia Tech Fall Invitational at the Ken Byers Tennis Complex Sept. 25-27.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH MEN’S TENNIS
Georgia Tech’s men’s tennis team is beginning its 18th year under head coach Kenny Thorne. The Yellow Jackets have played in the NCAA Championship 15 times. Connect with Georgia Tech Men’s Tennis on social media by liking their Facebook page, or following on Twitter (@GT_MTEN). For more information on Tech men’s tennis, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
