Asheville Fed Cup update: Public viewing opportunities and kid tennis clinics

Asheville’s first-ever Fed Cup is almost here!

Fed Cup will be played at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, Feb. 10-11, on an indoor hard court. This is the first time that Asheville is hosting Fed Cup. Play begins on both Feb. 10 and Feb. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

Team USA is set! It includes Venus and Serena Williams, Lauren Davis and CoCo Vandeweghe. They will take on the Netherlands team.

On Feb 10, two singles matches will be played, and on Feb. 11, play will continue with two reverse singles matches and the doubles match. The Sunday schedule may be revised if a team clinches in the third or fourth match.

Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center is sold out for both days of the event. But you can watch it on the Tennis Channel, which will present live daily coverage.

Related coverage: Insider guide to traffic/parking for Asheville’s first Fed Cup

Public opportunities

Don’t have tickets? There is an open practice from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 8 for anyone whom was unable to get tickets for the Feb. 10-11 tournament. This open practice event is free and open to everyone.

Also, there will be a Fed Cup Official Draw Ceremony at noon Feb. 9 on the U.S. Cellular Center Stadium Court that is open to the public. This event will include the opportunity for fans to take photos with the Fed Cup trophy, an appearance by Fed Cup mascot Ace and the opportunity for the community to watch the draw take place and see their favorite players. Doors will open at 11:45 a.m.

Social media information from the U.S. Tennis Association:

Keep up with Team USA using hashtag #TeamUSATennis on Facebook (@USTA), on Twitter (@USTA), and on Instagram (@USTA).

Fed Cup related events

The U.S. Tennis Association announced the following community events:

  • Feb. 7, 8:30-11 a.m., U.S. Cellular Center Exhibition Hall: Net Generation Kids’ Day and U.S. Captain Kathy Rinaldi appearance: The USTA and USTA North Carolina will be hosting some 300 kids from Buncombe County elementary schools for special Net Generation clinics.
  • Feb. 9-11, USTA Player Development Camp & Kids’ Clinic Appearances, Omni Grove Park Tennis Courts: USTA Player Development will be hosting a camp throughout the weekend with rising young American players, who will train with each other and cheer on Team USA at the matches.
  • Feb. 10-11, 9 a.m. to noon, NJTL Net Generation Clinics, U.S. Cellular Center Exhibition Hall: The USTA and USTA North Carolina will be hosting some 75 kids from local National Junior Tennis and Learning network (NJTL) organizations. Following the clinics, participants will then attend the matches.
  • Feb. 10-11, 9 to 11 a.m., Green Ball, Middle School and High School Net Generation Clinics: At off-site locations, USTA North Carolina will host 50 middle school and high school players for Net Generation tennis clinics. It will also be hosting a Green Ball camp for youth players age 10 and under, which is the highest level of play within the age group. Following the clinics, participants will then travel to the U.S. Cellular Center to attend the matches.

In addition, local kids involved in the clinics will have a special role in the matches as part of the Net Generation initiative. Prior to the matches, kids will play on stadium court as part of a Net Generation demonstration. Local kids will also escort the players during the opening ceremony on Saturday and participate in the coin toss for each match with the chair umpire and competing players.

Other community events taking place around Asheville during Fed Cup Week include adult clinics and a Pride Day Brunch. In addition, prior to Sunday’s play, a wheelchair tennis exhibition will be held on-court at the U.S. Cellular Center featuring North Carolina native Conner Stroud.

Local businesses will benefit

Fed Cup is expected to generate more than $3.5 million in economic impact for the city.

Find more information at FedCup.com.

 

 

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