Weekend jam-packed with tennis

By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
June 26, 2004
If rain interrupts this weekend's tennis tournaments at the State Games of Mississippi, commissioner Wanda McPhail hopes it does so quickly.
While a shortage of entrants forced officials to trim the junior and adult tennis events from three days to two days, the weekend will be jam-packed. The first matches begin today at 8 a.m., and the last matches of the day are scheduled to start as late as 8 p.m. and that's without rain.
McPhail said that turnout in the two tournaments was down from previous years because the events are not sanctioned.
Even so, about 60 people will play in the two tournaments. The youth tennis event will feature five age divisions 10 and under, 11-12 years, 13-14 years, 15-16 years, and 17-18 years old. Each age division will feature four events boys singles, boys doubles, girls singles and girls doubles.
The adult event will be divided based on skill level, and it will feature the same events plus mixed doubles.
The lack of a sanctioned tournament had less effect on the adult competition, McPhail said, because young players typically care more about rankings than adults. Still, McPhail is excited about showcasing talent from around the area in the youth tennis matches.
But players of all ages may end up with more than just wet feet if weather forecasts come to fruition. The Weather Channel forecasted a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms today with more of the same predicted for Sunday.