The USTA announced that the Har-Tru USTA Pro Circuit Wild Card Challenge has kicked off with the $100,000 Sarasota (Fla.) Open and the $50,000 Dothan (Ala.) Pro Classic. The challenge will last three weeks and awards a main draw wild card into the French Open to the American man and American woman who earned the most ATP World Tour and WTA tour ranking points in two of the three USTA Pro Circuit clay-court challenger-level events.

Brooke Austin just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to draws in Southern California tournaments. Faced with a very tough draw in the Girls 18s Division in four consecutive important ITF events in Southern California over the past two years, the 17-year-old Indianapolis resident survived three match points to upset top-seeded Jamie Loeb of Ossining, N.Y., 5-7, 7-6(7), 6-3, in the second round of the 46th annual ASICS Easter Bowl.

Mardy Fish has been awarded a wild card into two USTA Pro Circuit events this month. Fish will compete in two $50,000 Challengers—the Savannah (Ga.) Challenger, held the week of April 22, and the USTA Tallahassee Tennis Challenger in Florida, held the week of April 29.

Every coach and every parent wants to know one thing. What are the characteristics of a champion? Whether it’s in tennis or in any other field or endeavor, what are the inner traits of the true winner? I sought out a tennis coach who has worked with some of the best and brightest kids in the nation to talk to her about exactly what makes a champion.

The USTA and U.S. Davis Cup Captain Jim Courier have announced that new top-ranked American and world number 20 Sam Querrey, number 23 John Isner, and the world’s top doubles team of Bob & Mike Bryan will represent the U.S. in the 2013 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Quarterfinal tie against Serbia, April 5-7. The tie will be played on an indoor hard court at the Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho.

The USTA has announced that the Delray Beach Tennis Center in Delray Beach, Fla. has been selected as the site for the 2013 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Playoff between the U.S. and Sweden, April 20-21. The event is being organized, staged and promoted by the USTA. Local sponsors include the City of Delray Beach, Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.

The 2013 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round match between the United States and Brazil begins Friday at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., on an indoor hard court. It will be the first home tie for both John Isner and Sam Querrey, the USA number one and two singles players, respectively. Neither players have played a Davis Cup match on hard courts, as all matches have been contended on clay.

Venus Williams will co-captain a women's team with Brenda Schultz-McCarthy, and Caroline Wozniacki in a "Battle of the Sexes" on the Stadium Court at the BallenIsles Club's Sports Complex on Dec. 23. The "Mars vs. Venus Celebrity Tennis Exhibition," to benefit the Kids & Police Tennis Association (KAPTA) and the Police Athletic League (PAL) ...

James Blake of Yonkers, N.Y. and Jack Sock of Lincoln, Neb. are among 13 American men accepted to the qualifying draw of the 2013 Australian Open, beginning Jan. 7 in Melbourne.

The U.S. Davis Cup will host Brazil in the first round of the 2013 competition, Feb. 1-3, also known as Super Bowl weekend, in Jacksonville, Fla. In 2012, the U.S. played all three Davis Cup ties on the road, posting impressive wins over a Roger Federer-led Swiss team and a strong French team in Monte-Carlo before losing to Spain in the semifinals.

After his U.S. Open triumph, Andy Murray and 30 of his guests went to the trendy New York restaurant, Hakkasan, and racked up a sizeable bill of $6,448. The drinks alone contributed $1,408 to the total bill, and out of all those fancy drinks, including "Green Destinies" and "Zesty Martinis," the only thing Andy drank was the $6 lemon soda!

Long Island Tennis Magazine takes a closer look at four locales offering sun, relaxation and plenty of on-the-court opportunities.