Latest ITF/ATP/WTA education session takes place at US Open
Grand Slams for junior players are all-encompassing experiences and the US Open is no different with competitors not only advancing their on-court careers but also their awareness of the game as a whole.
At Flushing Meadows, the ITF, ATP and WTA have conducted their latest education session, which are now commonplace at Junior Grand Slams and other high-profile junior events.
The sessions centre upon the provision of in-person education opportunities for elite junior players as they advance along the player pathway towards the sport’s professional ranks.
The underpinning emphasis is the person behind the player, making sure they have the off-court support and knowledge to enjoy the sport they love and have the best possible career within the game.
In essence, such sessions are the product of key tennis stakeholder alignment, ensuring collaboration for the betterment of players, especially during that key transition from junior tennis.
The latest session was introduced by USTA President Dr Brian Hainline, who welcomed players to the US Open and provided context for the upcoming session.
Ian Vasquez, tournament director for the 2023 US Open Junior Championships, then spoke about the ongoing junior draws in New York.
He provided players with valuable information in advance of the final Junior Grand Slam of the year and the tournament services available to them.
Matt Byford, the ITF’s Head of Juniors and Masters Tennis, was also on hand to discuss the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals, which will take place for the first time since 2019 in Chengdu, China from 16-22 October.
This preceded Matt Perry, the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s Senior Manager of Education and Training, talking through anti-doping procedures and their significance.
The session concluding with a hugely insightful and engaging panel discussion led by Caroline Zadina, a Mental Health Care Provider with the WTA. The panel included Ruth Anderson, Director of Player Wellbeing at the ATP, and former top pros Kevin Anderson and Liezel Huber.
Several questions were put to the panel by players and their support teams, with the discussions which ensured proving extremely useful to the game’s rising stars.