US Open National Playoffs (Wild Card berth to the US Open)

Ever dream of playing at the US Open in NYC?

Playing under the night lights at Ashe Stadium. Exchanging forehands and backhands against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Novak Djokovic. This year that dream can actually be a reality for any man, woman, boy or girl who is 14 or over in the United States.

Update 6/2 Mid-Atlantic Section:
Here are some of the top players playing at College Park, MD (TCCP) June 2-5, 2012. We also still have some free week-long passes at the TCCP club for those interested.

The 3rd Annual US Open National Playoffs

Unlike the WSOP for Tournament Poker, there is no buy-in for the main draw here. A wild card must be earned at any 1 of 13 Sectional Qualifying Tournaments held at different cities around the country (see below).

The USTA announced that registration for all 13 US Open National Playoffs Sectional Qualifying Tournaments will open on Thursday, March 15. Players age 14 and older can register for singles competition and/or mixed doubles to earn a wild card spot into the main draw.

Read More Here at http://www.usopen.org/National_Playoffs/

Watching the Playoffs in Person for Free! No Tickets Required!

Can't make it to the US Open this year? Or just want to see the best juniors, amateurs, former pros and unseeded players in the county battle it out in your section?

This just may be the very highest level of free tennis that the public will see live. No tickets are required to watch these matches live. Cheer on your favorite players and see if your local hero makes it all the way to NYC in August! Support USA Tennis and keep the dream alive!

Check out any of these tournaments held near you, from May-July:

Date	Division	City, State	Venue	Entry Close	Register
May 19 - 21	MS/WS/MD	Scottsdale, Ariz.	Scottsdale Ranch Park	May 9	Southwest
May 26 - 30	MS/WS/MD	Clearwater, Fla.	Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex	May 16	Florida
June 2 -5	MS/WS/MD	College Park, Md.	Tennis Center at College Park	May 23	Mid-Atlantic
June 8 - 13	MS/WS/MD	West Windsor, N.J.	Mercer County Tennis Facility	May 18	Middle States
June 11 - 15	MS/WS/MD	Claremont, Calif.	The Claremont Club	June 1	Southern California
June 11 - 17	MS/WS/MD	Flushing, N.Y.	USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center	June 1	Eastern
June 14 - 17	MS/WS/MD	West Haven, Conn.	Yale University Tennis Center	June 4	New England
June 18 - 23	MS/WS/MD	Arlington, Texas	Arlington Tennis Center	June 4	Texas
June 18 - 24	MS/WS/MD	Salinas, Calif.	Chamisal Tennis Club	June 8	Northern California
June 21 - 25	MS/WS/MD	Minneapolis, Minn.	Baseline Tennis Center	June 3	Northern
June 28 - July 1	MS/WS/MD	Prairie Village, Kan.	Homestead Country Club	June 13	Missouri Valley
June 30 - July 3	MS/WS/MD	Mason, Ohio	Lindner Family Tennis Center	June 19	Midwest
June 29 - July 3	MS/WS/MD	Alpharetta, Ga.	Windward Lake Club	June 18	Southern

French Open tickets for under 20 euros; plus other gifts from Paris

Nadal: Rome Champion

Congrats to Rafael Nadal for winning his 6th Masters' 1000 Rome Championship today! We're now 6 days away from the 2nd Grand Slam of 2012, the French Open.

Here are some Tennis-Bargain tips to see some great tennis in Paris. It's the weather's perfect in Europe during this time of the year!

Official French Open Gear and Gifts

Even without traveling to France, here are some cool souvenirs you can buy for any tennis friends and family:

How to See the French Open for 20 Euro's

If you're looking for a way to get into the French Open, see Rafa up close at the main stadium and get a ticket to a Grand Slam event for around 20 Euro's, here's how I did it a few years ago! The best time to see lots of the top players in action is this upcoming opening weekend, before any top seeds have been eliminated.

Children's day (May 26, 2012)

The Roland Garros children's day, formerly known as Benny Berthet Day, was first held back in 1977 and is a highly enjoyable event which raises money for good causes. This year it will be held on 26 May. Top players who will be at the tournament take part in one-set exhibition matches on the three show courts (Philippe Chatrier, Suzanne Lenglen and No.1). It is very much a dress rehearsal, with umpires and ball-kids, and it is a wonderful opportunity for fans to come and watch their favorite players whilst helping those less fortunate at the same time.

Nike.com - 20% OFF Clearance with promo code "GrandSlam" (valid 5/17 - 5/22)

Nike is offering an Additional 20% off Already-Reduced Clearance Items when you enter Promo code: GRANDSLAM at checkout.

Note:
Shipping is free on orders of $100 or more when you join their free membership program, or is $8 flat-rate.
Men's Tennis Clearance
Women's Tennis Clearance

Tennis Center at College Park - Free Trial Pass, Lesson Offer

Complimentary 1-week free membership trial, free lesson at TCCP in June. Less than 19 Free Passes Left!

Tennis Center at College Park

5200 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740
Telephone: 301-779-8000

Site of the US Open National Playoff (Mid-Atlantic Wild Card) on June 2-5!
Great chance to see some amazing tennis for free here in the DC area!

They also have a terrific summer camp program for kids with 20% off.

Free Trial Membership - Terms and Conditions

Valid for first time users of the TCCP facility ONLY
Only one individual adult membership per person
This exclusive offer from Tennis-Bargains.com is limited to only the first 25 sign ups

Benefits included with Trial Membership:

Free indoor and outdoor court time (must schedule in advance)
Participate in one complimentary group clinic
Use of the gym and locker room
Schedule and purchase lessons at non-member prices

Free Trial Sign Up Form

You will be emailed a Free Trial Pass; please print and present it at the front desk. Valid for use on any consecutive seven days between June 1 - June 30!

Tennis Center at College Park Facilities include an exceptional 28 court campus

13 indoor tennis courts (8 hard, 5 Har-Tru clay)
15 outdoor tennis courts (9 hard, 4 Har-Tru clay, 2 red clay)
Running track
Fitness center/ weight room
Clubhouse with retail shop

Fill out my online form.

ATP Penn Balls Sale - 12 Cans Heavy Duty for $30.99 (~$2.50/can)

New Tennis Deal From Holabird Sports:

This highly rated and popular ball is back on sale! Just in time for the summer hard court season, but supplies are limited. You can order up to 72 cans of these, for the same flat shipping rate of $5.75. Store pick-up in Baltimore, MD is free shipping.

ATP Penn Balls - 12 Cans of Heavy Duty Felt

Now sold in this smaller package of 12 Cans size, which is just half a case. It is the perfect amount of tennis balls for rec players at a great price! Especially for those who don't have a lot of storage space.

Here is more information about different types of tennis balls, including Penn ATP and ProPenn balls. If you play on hard court surfaces, I would recommend buying these Penn ATP Professional balls. Shipping is just $5.75! No sales tax, except in MD.

The 24 Can full case currently costs $64.50 with over $10 for shipping, so this is an even better deal...now for 12 Cans, just ~$30-$35.

Quality tennis balls for less than $3/can

They will last much longer than the average "Championship" Penn's or Wilson's you will commonly find at Walmart or Target. Great for playing a dozen matches and then keep them in your hopper as practice balls to hit with for many weeks later.

Penn ATP Heavy Duty 12 Cans: Penn Tennis Balls

Official Description:

The Penn ATP ball is Penn's premium tennis ball and it lives up to the billing with a consistently superior play experience time after time. Penn ATP Heavy Duty tennis balls are perfect for those abrasive outdoor hard courts. USTA and ITF approved. Professional quality. No. 1 choice of ATP Pros. Recommended for play on hard court and outdoor surfaces: asphalt or concrete. Made with Smart Optik® Felt by Tex Tech and is 19% more visible.