July 16, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Recent Vanderbilt graduate and 2015 SEC Player of the year, Gonzales Austin, has accepted a bid to play in the 2015 American Collegiate Invitational. This three-day single elimination tournament begins during the second week of the 2015 US Open (Sept. 10) at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.
The American Collegiate Invitational, open only to American college players, began last year as a way to spotlight college tennis during the US Open.
“It is important that college tennis continue to be a part of the US Open,” said US Open Tournament Director David Brewer. “We are excited to once again feature a high level of competition between some very talented players with the American Collegiate Invitational.”
With an impressive field comprising of some familiar foes, “AJ” will be competing for the chance of a lifetime as tournament champions will receive main draw wild card entries into the 2016 US Open if ranked No. 120 or better by next summer. If not, winners will receive qualifying wild cards. In addition, the champions will also earn wild cards into two USTA Pro Circuit events, the runner-up receives one.
Joining Austin in New York will be three players from the national champion Virginia Cavalier squad; consisting of the NCAA singles champion, Ryan Shane, Mitchell Frank NCAA MVP and the man who ended Austin’s run in the 2015 NCAA singles tournament, Thai-Son Kwiatkowski. Columbia’s Winston Lin, Mackenzie McDonald out of UCLA and Notre Dame’s Quentin Monaghan round out the field of eight.
