Austin Tennis Academy News

August 14, 2007

Ashley Weinhold: USTA Girls 18s Hard-court National Champion, Earns U.S. Open Wildcard

The list of Past Champions is a roll call of legendary American tennis players: Chris Evert, Tracy Austin, Jennifer Capriati, Lisa Raymond, Lindsay Davenport, Laura Granville and Alexandra Stevenson won here before they won on the WTA tour. On Sunday, Austin Tennis Academy's Ashley Weinhold joined that elite list in dominating fashion. By winning what is the culmination of United States amateur junior tennis, Ashley earns an automatic bid into the main draw of this year's U.S. Open Women's Singles Grand Slam.

Ashley Weinhold did not just win the USTA Girls 18s Hard-court National Championships, she commanded the draw. Over seven matches, Ashley won each match in straight sets, including a semi-final win over 2005 Champion and 2007 (3) seed Mary Gambale 6-3, 6-4. Ashley beat Alison Riske to win the USTA National Hard-court Championship 6-3, 6-3. To win as she did in California, Ashley relies on premier conditioning and an explosive all-court game. Owning fantastic foot-speed and footwork, Ashley combines a well-honed baseline game with fine point finishing ability at the net. Her biggest weapon may be her versatility. Weinhold can create movement with flat or topspin off both wings, and she can knife low slice and look to pressure her opponent. Her ability to play several different 'balls' effectively off the baseline and move forward in the court allows her to match-up well with any style.

Though she is only 18, Ashley has primarily played WTA pro tour events for the last 18 months, rising inside the top 400 WTA this year. The USTA National Hard-court Championship earns her a wildcard into the main draw of the 2007 U.S. Open. The title is a great honor without the U.S. Open bid, but the automatic entry is a great opportunity for Ashley to show her game on the single biggest tennis stage in the world.

For Ashley, the USTA National Hard-court title is part of a larger journey. Next year, Weinhold may not need a wildcard into The Open. For Austin Tennis Academy, Ashley's win is evidence for our juniors of the results of a commitment to excellence. Congratulations to Ashley Weinhold and the Austin Tennis Academy family on Ashley's USTA National Hard-court victory. The U.S. Open starts August 27th.

Ashley competing at 2006 U.S. Open

Back to News Summary