Crimson Tide Coaches Announce 2003 Alabama Tennis Playday
1/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
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The University of Alabama men’s and women’s tennis programs will hold their annual Alabama Tennis Playday on Sunday, January 19 at the Hank Crisp Indoor Tennis Facility.
The event will give the tennis fans in Tuscaloosa an opportunity to interact with the university’s coaches and players.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our community to get involved in our tennis program,” men’s head coach Billy Pate said. “Our goal is to increase participation in the sport of tennis in the community and increase participation in our matches.”
“The Playday gives us an opportunity to showcase both our tennis teams here at Alabama,” women’s head coach Jenny Mainz said.
The two-hour event will feature free food and giveaways as well as a chance for people of all abilities to receive lessons from skilled athletes.
“It gives our supporters a chance to have one-on-one interaction with our players and to learn fundamental and advanced tennis techniques,” Pate said. ”College tennis is a spectator friendly atmosphere and we want to encourage our fans to get involved in our spirited matches.”
The Playday begins at 2 p.m. and will end around 4 p.m. Alabama tennis begins head-to-head dual-match play next weekend beginning with two women’s matches on January 25 and a men’s double-header on January 26.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association released its 2003 team and individual rankings on Monday with the Crimson Tide represented well.
In the men’s team rankings Alabama will enter 2003 at No. 17. Maxim Belski and Stephen Mitchell are also both listed in the singles rankings. They are ranked No. 39 and No. 63, respectively.
In the doubles rankings, newcomer Geoff Hiscox and Mitchell are ranked No. 8 entering the season while the team of Belski and Brad Friedman are ranked No. 51.
The women’s team is ranked 38th, and junior Millie Begovic is ranked No. 71 in singles rankings.
