HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — It’s Day 5 of the USTA Girls 16 Clay Court Championship and safe to say, the weather couldn’t have cooperated any better. Well it is a tad hot and humid.
"The more humid it is outside, the heavier the ball gets, so it travels a little slower," explained Bonnie Lioce, Operations Manager at the Athletic Club Alabama. "And clay courts cause the ball to slow down anyway. So, it's just all about timing and adjusting to the weather conditions."
There’s a little science lesson for you. But considering how this week began…we’ll take it. Especially after Sunday’s wash out.
"It was actually like four or five o'clock when we were just like no way," said Athletic Club Alabama Owner Eddie Jacques. "When that big rain ended up coming in, there was no way for those courts to dry. Talked with Joc Simmons over at the tennis center and he checked his. There was no chance to get anymore play in. And there were too many matches to move indoors. So, we just said hey, let's just scratch the day, start back fresh Monday morning, 8AM."
And since then, the Athletic Club Alabama has been working hard to ensure they make up for lost time…allowing players like local Alana Boyce to get in and win her match to advance to the semifinals in doubles play. And with the Huntsville Tennis Center sharing their courts, the tournament is back on schedule entering the weekend.
"We've been using the Huntsville Tennis Center all week, but being able to use them today and a little bit tomorrow is what's helped us," Jacques said. "We can put more matches on the court. We won't go any longer in days. I've had to stay late a couple nights, play some doubles late in the evening. We're going to catch up fully tomorrow and be ready to go to have the semis on Saturday and Finals on Sunday."