The long-awaited debut of the new $2.1 million, 48,000-square-foot indoor tennis facility is here.
After six years of playing “home” matches across town at the Willow Creek Racquet Club and the Eugene Swim and Tennis Center, the Oregon tennis teams now have a home on campus.
“This is something that we’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” men’s tennis coach Chris Russell said. “To open it up is something that we’re real excited about.”
The facility, which has been operational since late August, was recently equipped with scoreboards and seating, making it ready for tournament play. Additional occupancy and fire code issues have yet to be determined, but will be settled by 2001.
Teams will take to the new indoor courts for the first time this weekend for the Duck Classic, the premier home indoor tournament in school history. Oregon hosts Portland and Pacific-10 Conference rival Washington in a three-day, flighted individual tournament.
Both the men’s and women’s teams have been practicing in the indoor facility for almost three months and are starting to feel at home in the new building.
“They seem to be liking it very much,” Russell said. “The surroundings and the speed of the court are conducive to good tennis.”
All five Ducks will take part in the tournament, which is open to the public.
“We want to show the other teams that we can showcase on a competitive level of tennis,” Russell said. “It’s an ideal environment for tennis and one of the top venues for tennis in the Northwest.”
Sophomore Oded Teig leads the Ducks into action. The native of Holon, Israel, sports an 8-2 singles record after two competitions. Teig advanced to the finals in the Bulldog Classic Oct. 6 and the semifinals of the ITA Regionals in Berkeley, Calif., Oct. 30.
Also entered for the Duck men are veteran senior David Becker, sophomore Jason Menke and freshmen Buck Mink and Chris King. Mink sports a 3-2 singles record while King is 3-3 on the year.
Oregon players will perform in one of four flights of singles against Washington and Portland players. The Ducks will also enter two doubles teams in the two-flight doubles portion of the tournament.
“This is a chance for us to get some wins and boost our confidence,” Russell said. “We’re hoping to show UW and UP competitiveness, and have the patience and desire to stay in the point and attack opportunities on a point-by-point basis.”
First-round action begins at 10:30 a.m. today, followed by consolation and semi-final round play through Sunday.
The tournament is the last competition for Oregon on its preseason fall schedule. The Ducks return to action Jan. 19 in Minneapolis, Minn., for the Ice Volleys. Oregon will face host Minnesota, Indiana State and North Carolina State in that tournament.
Pac-10 action will take place at home a week after the Ice Volleys against top-ranked Stanford.
The grand opening of the tennis facility will take place next Friday in a ceremony with University President Dave Frohnmayer, Athletic Director Bill Moos and several other dignitaries.