Tournament Recap: USTA National Women’s 35-85 Grass Court Championships

Tournament News

Aug 6

Kim Dean

DATES: July 17-23, 2023
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA
DIVISIONS: Level 1, 35-85

This was my first time playing in the Grass Court Championships at Germantown Cricket Club. I’ve seen pictures but never imagined how big the club really was. The clubhouse is the first thing you see when you drive through the gates of the club. It is the original building from when the club was founded in 1854. Then, you look to the left and you see the huge field with 22 grass courts. It is impressive!

The building that now houses the pro shop used to be for viewing cricket matches. Yes, they play cricket after the tennis season ends.

First impressions:

GERMANTOWN CRICKET & CLUB MEMBERS Wow! So beautiful and so welcoming. We were treated like members for the week.

TOURNAMENT STAFF Wow! They went above and beyond working long hours to make sure the tournament continued on schedule, even with rain delays.

COMMUNICATION Wow! Daily and constant, to keep us updated on rain delays, match schedules, reminders about tournament planned events, etc.

TOURNAMENT AMENTITIES Upon check-in, we received a nice long sleeve white shirt and a goody bag. During the tournament, there was a table with bananas, oranges, warm pretzels with a choice of mustard, water, Gatorade, ice, cold towels, and….pickle juice cups on ice!

The club had a nice lunch buffet set up daily with sandwiches, salad, cut fruit, and cookies for $12.95. There was even a masseuse set up by the tournament desk. I think the club and tournament committee did a great job providing so many things players look for during a tournament week.

TENNIS Wow and Exciting, from the first to the last day. 4+ hour matches on the first day, upsets, 3 set matches with incredible tiebreaker scores, and the 85’s are inspiring!

MEMORIES Seeing friends, meeting new friends. Watching and playing great tennis at a great club where we felt very welcome. Seeing everyone waiting for the head referee to say the courts were open and everyone running to get a court. I wish I had a video, but I was running, too. The player dinner in the ballroom. There was no shortage of food or desserts!

Despite rain earlier in the day, it stopped just in time for the NWTO Happy Hour to be held under the giant Sycamore tree. Everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves.

I can’t wait to go back next year and I hope to see you there!