Aug. 15, 2002

Media Relations Contact: Matt Steinke – (859) 257-3838 or mstei2@uky.edu

Jesse Witten, who just two and a half months ago was battling for the NCAA singles championship, was awarded a wild card entry into the 2002 U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament, it was announced Wednesday by the United States Tennis Association. The 128-man field will be narrowed to 16, with each earning a spot in the tournament’s main draw.

The Naples, Fla., native, who was ranked fourth in Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s final rankings, will start play on Tuesday, August 20. The UK sophomore will need to win three matches to advance to the main draw, which begins August 26. The qualifying tournament bracket will be announced Monday, August 19.

“Jesse’s worked very hard over the last year,” Coach Dennis Emery said. “He’s matured a lot both as a person and a player. He’s very deserving of this opportunity. It certainly confirms his status as one of the rising stars in tennis.”

For more information on the U.S. Open and for live scoring the day of the match, visit www.usopen.org.

-UK-