Southerners play in Florence $30K USTA Pro Circuit event

Six Southern juniors and college players earned their spots in the $35K McLeod for Health Florence Open qualifying, a notable achievement for the players from four Southern states.

Among the players who earned their slots by ranking are : Emma Charney, Mount Pleasant, S.C., University of Southern California and Allie Bittner, Greer, S.C., Ole Miss.

Also in the list are Brianna Baldi, of Greensboro, N.C., Wake Forest University; who advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Huntsville Pro Circuit event based on a special Southern Section program designed to give more opportunities to top-level juniors.

Other players include Claire Hill, of Cary, N.C., University of North Carolina and Mia Yamakita, Johns Creek, Ga., who is committed to Vanderbilt University. Both were recipients of the USTA Southern DeWitt Redgrave III Junior Achievement Award. Charney also received the award.

Francie Pate, of Daniel Island, S.C., who was the finalist in the 2025 18s Southern Closed tournament, is also in qualifying.

Entering qualifying via wild cards are Alana Boyce, of Huntsville, Ala., and Kaiden Greer, Pawleys Island, S.C., who is also in the main draw doubles with McKenzie Barth of Charleston, S.C.

Georgians Elle Groslimond and Piper Johnson will also compete in main draw doubles.

Tournament site: Dr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center

Matches will be played July 21-27 at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence (S.C.) Tennis Center.

The tournament is run by Jonathan Barth, a long-time USTA Southern volunteer. "Florence residents have a great opportunity to come out and see several of the sport’s future stars. This tournament has a great history of containing future Grand Slam Champions such as Bianca Andreescu, Sofia Kenin and Naomi Osaka,” said Barth.

Maria Cercone, USTA Southern Director, Junior Tennis, said, “USTA Southern is very excited to be able to give our Southern juniors an opportunity to participate in a pathway to professional tennis.   These ITF Circuits are perfect for their development . USTA Southern continues to support Southern juniors in their tennis pathway by being able to give earned Wildcards through their play. It is a very good way to test the waters.”

The Florence Open tournament formed an alliance in 2014 with McLeod Health to help support the fight against breast cancer in the region. McLeod Health, the tournament’s presenting sponsor, is deeply committed to the early identification and treatment of breast cancer and works with the McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research and the McLeod Health Foundation to provide mammogram scholarships to women in need of assistance for this important annual screening.