MIDLAND, January 27, 2019 (Press Release)
The USTA announced that Caty McNally and CoCo Gauff have been awarded wild card entries into the 2019 Dow Tennis Classic. The $100,000 ITF World Tennis Tour women’s event will take place January 28 – February 3 at the Greater Midland Tennis Center in Midland.
McNally, 17 of Cincinnati, Ohio ended 2018 ranked No. 9 in the ITF junior rankings. Earlier in the year she reached the French Open girls’ singles final and Wimbledon girls’ singles quarterfinals. In doubles she partnered with CoCo Gauff to win the 2018 US Open girls’ doubles title. McNally also reached the girls’ doubles final at Wimbledon for three consecutive years (2016-2018). On the USTA Pro Circuit she has picked up one singles title and four doubles titles.
Gauff, 14 of Delray Beach, Florida ended 2018 as the world No. 2 in the ITF junior rankings. She became the youngest Orange Bowl singles champion in 15 years when she won the title in December 2018. Earlier in the year she captured the Roland Garros girls’ singles title and reached the quarterfinals of the Wimbledon girls’ singles tournament. Her success in the spring and summer helped her attain the No. 1 ranking in the ITF Junior World Rankings.
“We are very excited to have the next generation of American tennis stars playing in Midland this year,” said Tournament Director Scott Mitchell. “We already had a very strong singles field, but now you add in two seasoned juniors and we have a very exciting tournament unfolding.”
Main draw wild cards were also awarded to Grace Min and Ashley Kratzer. Wild card into the qualifying tournament have been awarded to Louisa Chirico, Emina Bektas, Quinn Gleason, and Midland-native Ellie Coleman.