The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Friday, February 23
Montgomery, Ala.
9:00 AM
UAB
vs
Wake Forest
Blazers to Face No. 10 Wake Forest at Blue Gray National Tennis Classic
2/22/2018 12:47:00 PM | Women's Tennis
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB women's tennis team returns to action for the first time in a week when the Blazers travel to Montgomery, Ala., to face No. 10 Wake Forest Friday at 9 a.m. in the opening round of the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic at the O'Connor Tennis Center.
For over 60 years, some of the finest tennis players in the world have come to Montgomery in early spring to do battle. In 1949, Mr. Jack Bushman, a Montgomery resident, was the President of the Southern Lawn Tennis Association. He wanted to tie-in a world class tennis tournament to the prestigious Blue Gray football classic. He envisioned starting an event similar to the world renowned Sugar Bowl junior tennis tournament that is played in conjunction with the Sugar Bowl football game. However, he decided the tournament should feature top college players rather than juniors.
In 1983, Mr. Bushman went to the NCAA Championships and approached top college coaches about the possibility of changing the event to a team competition. The coaches liked the idea of playing in a team tournament to prepare them for the season ending NCAA team championships. Thus, the tournament was reborn as a team event and remains so today.
Many of the players from the current era have gone on to great success in the professional ranks. Some of the more notable former Blue Gray players would include Paul Annacone, Mikael Pernfors, Richey Reneberg, Murphy and Luke Jensen, Mali Vai Washington and current stars – Mahesh Bhupathi and James Blake.
In all, there have been seven Grand Slam (Wimbledon, U.S. Open, French Open and Australian Open) single finalists and over thirty Grand Slam double champions that can trace their careers back to Montgomery and the Blue Gray.
MATCH INFORMATION
Opponent: Wake Forest
Date: Friday, January 23, 2018
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Montgomery, Ala.
Venue: O'Connor Tennis Center
Tjia Talk: "This tournament is something that I think we all had circled on our calendar. To get the opportunity to face the No. 10 team in the country is one of the reasons why our girls came to UAB. We know you get better by facing the best, and certainly Wake Forest is among the best. They are an elite program and we can't wait to get out there on Friday morning."
MATCH INFORMATION
Opponent: Utah/Alabama
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Location: Montgomery, Ala.
Venue: O'Connor Tennis Center
Tjia Talk: "I have a personal affinity for the Blue Gray Classic and its incredible history because I was fortunate enough to have played in it in 1992 while in college. It was a fond memory for me and I am so happy to be able to give our girls the same experience. The tournament is unique for so many reasons. It hosts both a men's and women's draw which adds to the environment. The players stay with host families which is another incredible experience. The field is elite with the No. 5 and No. 5 teams in the country in it, as well as the strong programs of Alabama and Auburn. We are honored to be included in this field, and I am confident we will compete with class and determination that will make our fans proud."
For more information on UAB women's tennis, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WTN) and Instagram (UAB_WTN). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UAB_Athletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uab_athletics).
For over 60 years, some of the finest tennis players in the world have come to Montgomery in early spring to do battle. In 1949, Mr. Jack Bushman, a Montgomery resident, was the President of the Southern Lawn Tennis Association. He wanted to tie-in a world class tennis tournament to the prestigious Blue Gray football classic. He envisioned starting an event similar to the world renowned Sugar Bowl junior tennis tournament that is played in conjunction with the Sugar Bowl football game. However, he decided the tournament should feature top college players rather than juniors.
In 1983, Mr. Bushman went to the NCAA Championships and approached top college coaches about the possibility of changing the event to a team competition. The coaches liked the idea of playing in a team tournament to prepare them for the season ending NCAA team championships. Thus, the tournament was reborn as a team event and remains so today.
Many of the players from the current era have gone on to great success in the professional ranks. Some of the more notable former Blue Gray players would include Paul Annacone, Mikael Pernfors, Richey Reneberg, Murphy and Luke Jensen, Mali Vai Washington and current stars – Mahesh Bhupathi and James Blake.
In all, there have been seven Grand Slam (Wimbledon, U.S. Open, French Open and Australian Open) single finalists and over thirty Grand Slam double champions that can trace their careers back to Montgomery and the Blue Gray.
MATCH INFORMATION
Opponent: Wake Forest
Date: Friday, January 23, 2018
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Montgomery, Ala.
Venue: O'Connor Tennis Center
Tjia Talk: "This tournament is something that I think we all had circled on our calendar. To get the opportunity to face the No. 10 team in the country is one of the reasons why our girls came to UAB. We know you get better by facing the best, and certainly Wake Forest is among the best. They are an elite program and we can't wait to get out there on Friday morning."
MATCH INFORMATION
Opponent: Utah/Alabama
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Location: Montgomery, Ala.
Venue: O'Connor Tennis Center
Tjia Talk: "I have a personal affinity for the Blue Gray Classic and its incredible history because I was fortunate enough to have played in it in 1992 while in college. It was a fond memory for me and I am so happy to be able to give our girls the same experience. The tournament is unique for so many reasons. It hosts both a men's and women's draw which adds to the environment. The players stay with host families which is another incredible experience. The field is elite with the No. 5 and No. 5 teams in the country in it, as well as the strong programs of Alabama and Auburn. We are honored to be included in this field, and I am confident we will compete with class and determination that will make our fans proud."
For more information on UAB women's tennis, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WTN) and Instagram (UAB_WTN). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UAB_Athletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uab_athletics).
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