My wrapup for tennisrecruiting.net was posted today. I did have an opportunity to speak with Ryan Thacher Tuesday evening (he ran for a plane Sunday afternoon without talking to the media; he ended up missing the flight and staying in Kalamazoo an extra night) and I can assure everyone who is worried about him after the heartbreaking loss in the 16s final that he's just fine. He's looking forward to starting his junior year in high school, and if he doesn't get a main draw wild card into the U.S. Open juniors, he's not going to mope about it. Is there anybody who has seen him play that thinks he shouldn't get one?
Speaking of wild cards, the men's choices were released today. I guess with Ryan Sweeting getting a main draw wild card, it's official that he's no longer playing under the Bahamian flag.
As for the qualifying wild cards, the second, third and fourth place winners in Kalamazoo (Levine, Smyczek and Fugate) got them, as did 2003 winner Robert Yim and 2004 finalist Scott Oudsema. Ryler DeHeart, a recent graduate of Illinois who has had an excellent summer on the Futures circuit, may be a name unfamiliar to those who follow only pro tennis, but he's a good choice.
A final note: It appears that what was first thought to be food poisoning is now more likely a viral infection that's responsible for the illness of several Kalamazoo finalists over the weekend. After an investigation, there's no evidence of any widespread food-borne illness in the area.