McDonogh Junior Open

All the information you need can be found on this web page, so please read carefully - and enjoy! As we get closer to and then during the tournament, go to the following USTA tournament web page for 1. Updates and daily messages, 2. Lists of participants and seeds, 3. Draws and results:

• USTA.com

Dates
Events
Format
Fees
Entries
Doubles
Directions to McDonogh School
Parking on Campus
Weather Information
Sportsmanship
General Information
Medical Release and Waiver
Pictures

Dates

The 2009 McDonogh Junior Open will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27 and October 3-4. (We are late this year because of the timing of the Jewish holidays. We will do our best to complete play on September 27 by 6 pm. Contact us if you need to be finished earlier.) NOTE: As indicated below, doubles start October 3. Singles start September 26 and continue through BOTH weekends.

Events

• Singles: Boys/Girls 12, 14, 16, 18 S FIC through QF
• Doubles: Boys/Girls 12, 14, 16, 18

Format

Because the McDonogh Junior Open has such large numbers but only runs four days, singles will be best of three tiebreak sets with regular scoring (with ad) with a ten-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set. Singles will start the first day and continue all four days. The singles consolation will be a modified one and will not play all the way out. Also, as has been the case for the past several years, consolation singles will be a ten game pro-set with regular scoring (with ad) with a ten-point tiebreak at ten-ten. Please note, however: The consolation matches are mandatory and do count for ranking points. As noted below, doubles play begins the second Saturday and will consist of an eight-game pro-set with regular scoring (with ad) with a 10-point match tie-break at eight-all.

Fees

Entry fees are as follows:
Singles: $50
Doubles: $50 per team

Entries

Registration deadline Monday September 21. Entry ONLY through TennisLink through USTA.com. To register, click on the USTA link above. Or search for USTA tournament ID #302786009. You will need a current USTA number (or sign up when registering on the USTA web-site) and a major credit card. PLEASE help by updating your contact information (phone and email address) when you enter. We do need to contact you sometimes!

Doubles

Doubles sign up on site only. Sign up closes at noon Sunday, September 27. Doubles play will begin after 11 a.m. Saturday, October 3. Doubles fee due at sign up ($50 per team).

Directions to McDonogh School

To get to McDonogh School, take the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), which is accessible from the north or south by I-95 and from the west by I-70 or I-83, to Exit 20 (Garrison-Pikesville). Go north on Reisterstown Road (toward Garrison - NOT Pikesville). At the sixth light, turn left on McDonogh Road. Continue about one mile; the School is on the right. For a map, click here.

Parking on Campus

Enter McDonogh via the WOODS ROAD entrance. Park ONLY by the athletic center at the end of the road. And please do not enter any of the buildings on campus - we are guests of the school.

Weather Information

Weather updates will be available at 410 581-4760 during the tournament and, as possible, on the USTA.com site. NOTE: In the event of weather delays, updated schedule information will be recorded on the weather update phone, and players will be responsible for finding their new match times.

Sportsmanship

Winners will have their names inscribed on the permanent trophy, The Joe Shapiro Sportsmanship Cup, and will receive a companion trophy.

General Information

• DRAWS will be made Wednesday evening. The scheduling may not be completed until Thursday, however, when draws and scheduling will be posted on the usta.com site. First round match information will be available ONLY on the USTA.com site. Check that site frequently both before and during the tournament as updated draws (we sometimes have withdrawals), weather-caused schedule changes, and the latest scores will be posted as quickly as possible (often from right on site).
• Special requests: We do try to accommodate special requests (for scheduling and the like) if we can and if within reason. If for a first round match time, you must email your request BEFORE the draw is made. If we can accommodate, we will; if we cannot, we will remove you from the draw without penalty and will return your entry fee. If for a subsequent round, make your request at the tournament desk immediately after your match, and again we will try to accommodate.
• For 2009: If you need to be finished early on September 27 because of the Jewish holiday, you must email your specific request BEFORE the draws are made.
• Live far away? Email us with details BEFORE the draw is made and we will TRY to give you later start times, but no promises and start times can be affected by weather.
• NEW USTA CHECK-IN RULES: PLEASE be aware that Friend At Court mandates that all matches scheduled for a particular time must be called at once as soon as that time has come and an open court exists. Even if only one court is open, ALL players are required to be ready for play, and those who are not will be put on the clock. This is a new policy for USTA which will change the manner in which we call matches from now on.
• The USTA point penalty system will be in effect, and roving umpires will be used. You must check in 15 minutes before each match and also check in after each match - win or lose.
• Additional tournament information available at the USTA.com site. The best way to contact us is by email, at llevy@mcdonogh.org. You may also call 410 581-4760 (before the tournament begins) or 410 935-8331 (only while the tournament is in progress.)
• Appropriate tennis attire is mandatory; no running shorts, sleeveless shirts/tank tops (for boys), sports bra tops, etc.
• Your Rights: As a player, there are things you need to know about your rights during a USTA tournament. To learn your rights, click here.
• A concession stand (operated by the Stowers family) is located next to the courts. Fruit, bagels, coffee, breakfast foods, sports drinks, sodas, sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, etc., are available for purchase.
• Restrooms are located by court 10.
• Water fountain is located inside the entrance to the stadium, by the concession stand and court 7.
• A certified athletic trainer should be available on site. If you are not playing, inquire at tournament desk. If you are playing, you need to contact a roving umpire.
• Email llevy@mcdonogh.org to volunteer for the Baltimore Wheelchair Tennis Classic held at McDonogh June 18,20, 2010. Ball boys and girls and other helpers needed for half or full days.

Medical Release and Waiver

You must turn in a medical release and waiver form at the tournament, which must be signed. For your convenience, to download the form, click here then fill it out and bring it with you to the site.

Pictures

Photos here are from various years and sources, but many were taken by Match Point Images and some published in our favorite tennis publication: Mid-Atlantic Match Point Magazine.