Picture of 2016 Delray Beach champion, Nikki Yanez (Sarasota, FL)

Delray Beach, FL—For U. S. Boys playing in the 12’s, The Longines Future Tennis Aces hosted by the City of Delray Beach offers an opportunity to represent the “stars and stripes” amongst an international group of peers. For the 5th consecutive year, the elite Swiss watchmaker has partnered with Players International Management (PIM), sister company of the Delray Beach Open ATP Tour event, on their Longines Future Tennis Aces on the Road to the French Open series of tournaments.

As the Official Timekeeper at Roland Garros, Longines is hosting 16 qualifying tournaments throughout the world for boys 12 and under with the winner of each national tournament advancing to the final Longines’ Future Tennis Aces event in Paris during the French Open. Grand Prize: Winner will represent the United States against 15 qualifiers from other nations and receive a once-in-a-lifetime, all expenses paid (travel, accommodations, food for them, plus a parent/guardian) trip to Paris, France Monday, May 29-Sunday, June 4, 2017!

The 2017 United States leg will be played in Delray Beach February 25 and 26 at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center during the Delray Beach Open ATP World Tour event. As home to ATP World Tour and ATP Champions Tour events, Fed Cup and Davis Cup matches and USTA National Championships and a history that includes Tier 1 WTA events and international junior Sunshine Cup and Maureen Connolly Brinker Cup team competition, the tennis center has seen its share of meaningful matches.

“I remember playing in the 12’s and getting my first opportunity at a big prize and traveling the world to play tennis. It really is a big deal. And these kids will be representing the US when they land across the ocean. Longines has created an incredible opportunity” said Ivan Baron, Tournament Director and former #1 ranked junior in the world.

This premier tournament will field a boutique-style draw of eight elite 12-year old (and under) competitors who will be divided into two groups of four playing in a round-robin format. Round-robin matches will be played Saturday, February 25 starting at 9:00AM with the winners of each group playing Sunday, February 26 at 9:45AM for the title and the all-expenses paid trip to Paris. All matches will be played at the downtown tennis center on Atlantic Avenue (exit 52 on I-95) and are FREE to the public to watch with a paid ticket to the Delray Beach Open.

ENTRY DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2017, 11:59PM EST

To register: http://tennislink. usta.com/Tournaments

Eligibility requirements: Participants must be born after June 5, 2004

Round-robin groupings will be announced Wednesday, February 22.

Complete tournament information, including groupings, schedule and results can be found at the following: http://www. yellowtennisball.com/longines/.