$100,000 COMERICA BANK CHALLENGER PREVIEW Money Gets Major In the Minors BY RICHARD OSBORN One hundred thousand dollars. That’s system” of professional tennis, which has Americans) have risen to No. 1. Maria some chunk of change. Even in the big- quietly become the world’s biggest develop- Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Lindsay Daven- money world of tennis. mental tour (think 1,000 men and women port, Jelena Jankovic, Pete Sampras, Jus- And it’s a number that carries some sig- hailing from more than 70 countries compet- tine Henin, Jim Courier and Andre Agassi nificance. In 1968, Rod Laver became the ing each year). Once a backwater circuit of are among those who began their careers in first player ever to pocket $100,000 in prize lackluster draws played in more-than-re- the minor leagues, which, suddenly, aren’t money in a single year. Three years later, Bil- mote/less-than-desirable locals, the USTA so minor anymore. lie Jean King joined him, becoming the first Pro Circuit and has grown to 88 events and woman to eclipse the $100,000 mark. As we more than $3 million in total prize money. 24 YEARS OF CHAMPIONS IN APTOS ushered in the Open Era, the prize money at (When the USTA first took the reins back in 1987 Scott Melville 1999 Michael Hill Forest Hills jumped to $100,000. The WTA 1979, that figure was $150,000.) 1988 Brad Pearce 2000 Bob Bryan But as much as the USTA Pro Circuit has become known as a pathway to tour- 1989 Mark Kaplan 2001 Jeff Salzenstein level competition for aspiring tennis pros 1990 Henrik Holm 2002 Brian Vahaly (Hall of Famer Patrick Rafter, three-time 1991 Chuck Adams 2003 Jeff Salzenstein GETTY IMAGES Grand Slam finalist Andy Murray, former 1992 Alex O’Brien 2004 Kevin Kim world No. 14 Jan-Michael Gambill and cur- 1993 Patrick Rafter 2005 Andy Murray rent No. 28 Milos Raonic all won in Aptos 1994 Shuzo Matsuoka 2006 Alex Kuznetsov before bagging their first ATP titles), it’s also 1995 Daniel Nestor 2007 Donald Young become a frequent battleground for estab- 1996 Albert Chang 2008 Kevin Kim lished players clawing their way back up the ranks (Hall of Famer Michael Chang played 1997 Jan-Michael 2009 Chris Guccione Seascape in ‘99, ‘02 and ‘03). As he nurses Gambill 2010 Marinko Matosevic a bum knee, former No. 4 James Blake’s 1998 Cecil Mamiit 2011 ? comeback trail has taken him to Chal- lenger events in Tal- lahassee (where he lost to Donald Young in the semis), Sara- sota (where he topped Alex Bogo- molov, Jr. for the title) and Savannah (where he lost his James Blake’s comeback trail has included USTA Pro quarterfinal matchup Circuit stops in Tallahassee, Sarasota and Savannah. with Michael Russell) in search of valuable Tour’s Charleston designation — the Family ranking points (and Seascape Beach Resort, located next to Seascape Circle Cup — in 1973 became the first dollars, too). And he Sports Club, invites USTA members and their women’s tournament to offer a $100,000 hopes it will all pay purse. Today, those players fortunate off even more come families to enjoy a getaway on Monterey Bay enough to reach the Round of 16 at the U.S. the grass-court cam- with special offers all summer. Enjoy the Open receive $100,000 for their efforts. paign. Now just out- luxury of a AAA four-diamond rating with the INSIDE TENNIS • JULY 2011 Now the Seascape Sports Club-hosted side the top 100 at Comerica Bank Challenger — the longest No. 106, he missed comfort of spacious condominium styling. running event of its kind on the USTA Pro the entry cut-off for Circuit — is upping its prize money to Wimbledon’s main $100,000. Not bad for the so-called “farm draw — by two spots. But chances are, due to injury and WHO: Past, Present, Future ATP Pros illness dropouts, a WHAT: $100,000 Comerica Bank Challenger direct entry will open WHERE: Seascape Sports Club, Aptos up by the time the Reservations 800.929.7727 WHEN: July 11-17 draw is published. INFO: (831) 688-1993, Since ‘79, 15 www.SeascapeResort.com USTA Pro Circuit One Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos, California seascapesportsclub.com 33 grads (including five .