Mercer Tennis Classic returns to Macon with $100,000 prize total

The Mercer Tennis Classic will be held at the John Drew Smith Tennis Center next week. It starts with Qualifying rounds on Monday at 10am with the Tournament running from Wednesday through Sunday

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Mercer Tennis Classic prepares to ramp up its 11th year next week in Macon at the John Drew Smith Tennis Center.  Hosted by Mercer Tennis head coach Eric Hayes, this U.S. Tennis Association Pro Circuit Tournament announced in July that the USTA will be sponsoring $100,000 in prize money.  That brings 64 of the best tennis stars in the world to Middle Georgia to compete in singles and doubles matches, including Mexico’s own Renata Zarazua, who is ranked number 72 in the world right now according to the ITA.  She’s played in all the grand slams this year, and is looking to run home with that first place trophy and prize money.  Renata looks like a clear favorite because after playing in this tournament for the last five or six years, the 20-year veteran comes into the 2024 tournament as the number one seed for the first time ever.

“I get a lot of experience” said Zarazua Wednesday.  “This tournament every year is pretty strong because its October, end of the year, and everyone is pushing to finish up the year well in rankings. So, its always a really tough tournament. It means a lot. Like I said, in the past few years, I was never the number one seed, so coming as a first seed, I think it’s a very special place to be in and everyone has been so nice to me, so I’m very happy.”

Coach Hayes is happy as well. He knows that this invitational is finally making a difference in the Macon community and economy.  “I started in Troy, Alabama when I was the coach of Troy University at the $20,000 level” said Coach Hayes.  “Now, its grown, and it actually has an economic impact finally in Macon. I’m happy we are seeing that. We just try to make it honestly the best event in the country at our level.  One thing about this tournament, it’s really well supported by the community.  We couldn’t do an event like this without volunteers, especially this year because we are at the 100,000 dollar level, and there’s only three in the country like that.  The players enjoy it, the United States Tennis Association likes it, so we just keep rolling with it. It’s fun.”

Qualifying rounds start on Monday, October 14 at 10am, with the tournament running from Wednesday through Sunday.