The Glass Portable Racquetball Court Being Erected for the US Open

Preparing for the US Open Racquetball Championships in MN, this is the ultimate in portable courts.

WPRO Ladies Head to the US Open Racquetball Championships

US OPEN Racquetball Championships Returns to Minneapolis

The World’s Fastest Sport comes back to the Twin Cities this October

As the ladies of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) heads to Minneapolis the will join, more than 800 of the world’s top professional and amateur racquetball players will descend on Minneapolis once again this October 4-9 for the 2011 US OPEN Racquetball Championships, the world’s largest and most prestigious racquetball tournament.

After 14 years in Memphis, Tenn., the US OPEN Racquetball Championships moved to Minneapolis in 2010 with great success. The region saw more than $4 million in economic impact last year and that number is expected to increase as an estimated 3,000 spectators will join the 800 players in the Twin Cities for the week-long event. Of the entrants in the tournament, more than 100 are expected to be players from the State of Minnesota.

With ball speeds reaching 180 miles per hour, racquetball is truly the world’s fastest sport! A stunning all-glass portable court will be brought piece-by-piece into Life Time Fitness Target Center in Downtown Minneapolis and set-up in a one-of-a-kind racquetball stadium.

“This is an incredibly exciting time in the history of the US OPEN and the sport of racquetball,” said US OPEN Event Director Doug Ganim. “Minneapolis opened their arms to our growing sport last year and the US OPEN is now positioned for continued growth for many years to come here in the Twin Cities.”

"This will be my first US Open Championship since taking on the leadership of the WPRO, I am very excited said Gigi Rock, Commissioner of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization. " I have had the opportunity to experience the ladies on the tour, but this is bigger and better and compares to the US Open Tennis Championships."

The US OPEN partners with Minnesota-based Life Time Fitness to host the tournament in three of the company’s fitness centers in the Minneapolis area. The professional divisions are contested at Life Time Fitness Target Center, while the amateur divisions are played among Life Time Fitness St. Louis Park and the Minneapolis Life Time Athletic Club.

Rhonda Rajsich is the four-time defending Women’s Professional Division champion. In addition to her wins in 2009 & 2010, Rhonda (Phoenix, Ariz.) won the US OPEN in 2003 and 2007. She is the reigning United States and World Champion in women’s singles. Rajsich played collegiate basketball at Stephen F. Austin University and passed up a chance to play in the WNBA to focus on becoming one of the most dominate female racquetball players of all time.

Defending his championship in the Men’s Professional Division will be six-time US OPEN Champion Kane Waselenchuk (Edmonton, Canada). Kane owns a pair of three US OPEN win streaks, the first from 2003 – 2005 and his current streak from 2008 – 2010. He also is in the midst of a 113 match win streak on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). Waselenchuk last lost a match in which he played in January 2009.

The Classic Professional Racquetball Tour (CPRT) will offer men 40 years of age or older a chance to shine on racquetball’s top stage. The CPRT draw at the US OPEN will be highlighted by former major league baseball player Jeff Conine. Jeff played 17 years in the majors, highlighted by being named the All-Star Game M.V.P. in 1994 and a pair of World Series titles (1997 & 2003) with the Florida Marlins. Before his professional baseball career Jeff found success on the racquetball court, becoming the United States junior boys’ champion in 1985.

For a preview of the racquetball action the US OPEN brings to Minneapolis, please visit:
http://bit.ly/usopenracquetball

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarah Warhaftig

sarah@wprotour.com

303-913-4374

Interview with WPRO's Paola Longoria

Racquetball Junkie: Interview with WPRO's Paola Longoria: A sneak peak at the interview with Paola Longoria, World Champion and US OPEN Champion.

Interview with Cristina Amaya

Racquetball Junkie: Interview with Cristina Amaya

Birthday Wishes to our Pros

Send a Birthday Wish to our Pros for the month of September


 Jackie Paraiso







TJ Baumbaugh

Sharon Jackson 

US Open

We're just a couple weeks away from the US Open Racquetball Championships

Racquetball Tournament 10/5/2011 - 10/9/2011

2011 16TH ANNUAL US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 

Lifetime Fitness - Target Center - Minneapolis, MN USA

The 2011 US OPEN Racquetball Championships is proud to bring the sport of racquetball's top professional event back to Minneapolis, MN! For over a decade now, the US OPEN Racquetball Championships is the original and largest "Grand Slam" event. The biggest names in professional racquetball for the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO). The event is hosted by Life Time Fitness Target Center.

The amateur side of the event, including players from the Minneapolis area, attracts nearly 700 players that come from all over the world. This event begins Wednesday, Oct. 5 and ends Sunday, Oct. 9 with the professional finals at Life Time Fitness - Target Center.

Aside from the world's best racquetball, the US OPEN will once again support St. Jude Children's Hospital. Since its inception in 1996, the tournament has raised more than $250,000 for the Memphis hospital.

You will have the opportunity to watch the best elite female racquetball players in the world on the glass court 'center stage".

Join us...

The Pan American Torch is lit in Merida, Yucatan

The Pan American Torch is lit in Merida, Yucatan.
Photo: Terra

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The Pan American Flame began on Monday its two day trip through the state of Yucatan.

In its first nightly visit, the Torch traveled 32 kilometers from the town of Dzibilichaltun until the Great Plaza of Merida. The Flame was lit after the demonstration of "pok ta pok", a ball game played by the Mayans, after which the press began following the torch.

The night was illuminated the Flame of the greatest sports competition of America in the white city, in a region inhabited by the descendants of the Mayans, a warrior civilization that resisted the conquest of the Spaniards, and today has become the birthplace of great boxers.

Precisely among the relays where three former world champions, Gilberto Keb who is about to have his revenge fight against Alejandro "Confesor" Hernandez for the CMB title, also Gustavo "Guty" Espadas, father and son.

The most emotional moment was precisely when the Espadas passed the Torch in the Monumento a la Patria, two kilometers from the finish.

"I am very happy because my father gave me the Torch. Here we are characterized for being brave and fighters, there are a lot of important athletes to carry the torch and I am happy for the praise it generates", expressed 'Guty' Espadas Jr.

This Tuesday the Pan American Flame will travel to the archaeological zone of Chichen Itza.

#2 Longoria Carries the Torch for the Pan American Games

Paola Longoria, #2 Ranked in the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) carried the torch for the first leg of the Pan American Games. The Pan American Games of 2011 will take place from October 14-30 in Guadalajara Mexico. Athletes from 42 nations and 36 sports will compete in these prestigious games. Including the elite female athletes from the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization. The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) is the governing body for the highest-level professional female racquetball players in the world. It is currently comprised of elite female athletes representing over a dozen countries including the United States, Mexico, Chile, Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.




Paola Longoria Details: http://www.informador.com.mx/primera/2011/317707/6/inicia-el-recorrido-del-fuego-panamericano-por-el-pais.htm

WPRO Rankings - August 29, 2011

WPRO Rankings - August 29, 2011

The first Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings have been released following the Texas Open, and there were few changes. Rhonda Rajsich remains #1 with Paola Longoria #2, Samantha Salas #3, Kerri Wachtel #4 and Cheryl Gudinas #5.

Adrienne Fisher and Susy Acosta-Mendoza switched places with Fisher now in 6th and Acosta-Mendoza in 8th. Jennifer Saunders is 7th.

Rounding out the top 10 are Cristina Amaya, who remains 9th, and Angela Grisar, who makes a return to the top 10 for the first time since April 2010.

Grisar's rise pushed Krystal Csuk down to 11th. Claudine Garcia also fell one spot to 17 from 16. Maiko Sato re-entered the top 20 at #20.

The next WPRO event is the US Open in Minneapolis, October 5-9.

WPRO Rankings (August 29, 2011)
Rank Name Nationality Points

1 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1740.80
2 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1441.78
3 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 878.70
4 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 578.55
5 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 519.20
6 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 383.30
7 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 377.10
8 Susy Acosta-Mendoza (Mexico) 369.30
9 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 365.33
10 Angela Grisar (Chile) 357.00

11 Krystal Csuk (USA) 344.70
12 Christie Huczek (Canada) 240.25
13 Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) 221.48
14 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 206.50
15 Da'monique Davis (USA) 177.75
16 Aimee Ruiz (USA) 119.80
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 103.50
18 Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic) 99.60
19 Jo Shattuck (USA) 99.30
20 Maiko Sato (Japan) 97.75 

Thanks Racquetball Blog

WPRO Season Review & Preview

WPRO Season Review & Preview

The 2011-12 Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season has begun, so we're a bit late looking back at last season. But in the better late than never category, here's a run down of what happened last season, first by player and then by event.

WPRO Rank - Player - Wins - 2nds - Semi-finals - Quarter-finals

1) Rhonda Rajsich, 4 wins, 4 seconds, 1 semi final
2) Paola Longoria, 5 wins, 4 seconds
3) Samantha Salas, 1 win, 1 second, 7 semis
4) Kerri Wachtel, 1 second, 1 semi, 5 quarters
5) Cheryl Gudinas, 5 semis, 1 quarter

6) Susana Acosta, 6 quarters
7) Jennifer Saunders, 1 semi, 5 quarters
8) Adrienne Fisher, 1 semi, 4 quarters
9) Cristina Amaya, 3 quarters
10) Krystal Csuk, 4 quarters

11) Angela Grisar, 4 quarters
12) Christie Huczek, 3 semis, 1 quarter
13) Nancy Enriquez, 1 semi
14) T.J. Baumbaugh, 1 quarter
16) Claudine Garcia, 2 quarters
17) Aimee Ruiz, 2 quarters
22) Jessica Parilla, 1 quarter

2010-2011 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
Event - Final - Semi Finalists

Texas Open Final - Longoria d. Salas, Semis: Huczek, Saunders
Cali, Colombia Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Gudinas, Salas
US Open Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Huczek, Salas

Puget Sound Final - Salas d. Wachtel, Semis: Gudinas, Rajsich
Christmas Classic Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Gudinas, Salas
California Open Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Gudinas

Great Balls of Fire Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Enriquez, Gudinas
SCS Title & Escrow Pro-Am Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Huczek
In-Shape WPRO Championships Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Salas, Fisher
WPRO Ektelon World Championships - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Wachtel

Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO)
2010-11 Statistical Abstract

Matches going 3 games: 120 (53.3%)
Matches going 4 games: 66 (29.3%)
Matches going 5 games: 33 (14.7%)
Total matches: 225 (6 results unknown)

Most Points in a match: 105 by Adrienne Fisher and Da'monique Davis at In-Shape WPRO Championships, where Fisher won 10-12, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 13-11
2nd Most Points in a match: 101 by T.J. Baumbaugh and Keely Franks at Puget Sound Challenge, as Baumbaugh won 10-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7

Fewest points in a match: 36 on four occasions. (i) Paola Longoria and Claudia Andrade at Cali Grand Slam, as Longoria won 11-0, 11-0, 11-3, (ii) Cheryl Gudinas and Beth Neff at Puget Sound Challenge as Gudinas won 11-0, 11-1, 11-2, (iii) T.J. Baumbaugh and Beth Sacco at WPRO World Championships, with Baumbaugh winning 11-0, 11-2, 11-1, and (iv) Rhonda Rajsich and Krystal Csuk at WPRO World Championships, with Rajsich winning 11-2, 11-1, 11-0.

Most Points in a win: 55 by Susana Acosta v. Anita Maldonado at US Open, and by Angela Grisar v. Krystal Csuk
3rd Most Points in a win: 54 by Susana Acosta v. Krystal Csuk at Great Balls of Fire

Most Points in a loss: 53 by Da'monique Davis v. Adrienne Fisher at In-Shape WPRO Championships
2nd Most Points in a loss: 51 by Keely Franks v. Maiko Sato at WPRO World Championships
3rd Most Points in a loss: 49 by Keely Franks v. T.J. Baumbaugh at Puget Sound Challenge

Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -15 by Maiko Sato in defeat of Keely Franks, 11-9, 12-10, 0-11, 1-11, 12-10
2nd Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -4 by Jessica Parrilla in defeat of Jennifer Saunders, 3-11, 11-6, 1-11, 11-6, 11-7
3rd Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -3 by Nancy Enriquez in defeat of Samantha Salas, 4-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7

(note: we have incomplete data for 6 WPRO matches, which are not included in the above abstract) 

PREVIEWING 2011-12

The Rajsich-Longoria Rivalry

Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria are clearly the class of the WPRO, having won 88.9% of the tournaments over the last three seasons (24 of 27). Their rivalry is on the level of the one between Lynn Adams and Heather McKay in the early 1980s, when they were the big draw during the formation of the first women's pro racquetball organization.

New WPRO Commissioner Gigi Rock is looking to grow the tour, and she could do worse than market the WPRO around the rivalry between Rajsich and Longoria, especially as they can easily be contrasted: one's older and one's younger; one's American and one's Mexican; one's an incredible 'getter', keeping the ball in play, and one's an incredible shooter. The marketing's almost a no-brainer.

But what about everyone else? 

Will anyone else step up and upset the Rajsich-Longoria apple cart? Samantha Salas has emerged as the best of the rest of the field, having won her first WPRO event last season and reached the finals in the first event of this season (in the absence of Longoria). She's 24 - 25 in December - so still in the early part of her career.

That's in contrast to the other top 5 players, Kerri Wachtel and Cheryl Gudinas, who are 36 and 44, respectively. They are still potent players but whether they can defeat the other three to win an event is questionable. But one would have to put them ahead of those outside the top 5.

But what of the others? For example, where's a good young American woman that looks like she could take the torch from the likes of Rajsich, Gudinas, Wachtel, Aimee Ruiz and Jackie Paraiso? Adrienne Fisher's in the top 10, but she's only made five semi-finals in her career and never a final. Da'monique Davis made her first career quarter final in last week's Texas Open, so perhaps she has some potential to be the next elite American WPRO player. 

Thanks Racquetball Blog

#1 Player in the World, Rhonda Rajsich

Rhonda Rajsich is striking. She’s beautiful, athletic and a major force in the Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization and WOR. Anyone who’s come in contact with her knows that her “all good” go with the flow attitude segues well into her all out court persona. She’s all about what you see is what you get. Yet her waters flow deep. Beyond her open exterior beats a passion of expression that’s longing to burst out.

Do you have any drama issues on tour? (Overall feel and your place in things.)

Personal drama for me, not at all.  I don’t judge and I don’t try to invite conflict, but sometimes stuff happens anyway; and even when things have happened in the past, I tend to let go of it sooner than later. There is too much stupid shit that blocks and chokes and suffocates the world already, I’d rather facilitate growth through opportunities than arguments.

ADVERSITY

In June 2008, Rhonda was viciously attacked just outside her Hermosa Beach home, leaving her right side orbital, cheekbone and jaw shattered. Ten days later, she had 5 titanium plates inserted during facial reconstruction surgery. She returned to her training in just under 3 weeks, having completely stopped all medication during that first week back. Within two weeks, of training, she returned to competition, playing the WOR Nationals. Continuing to play through the month then leaving for Ireland to compete at the World Championships representing Team USA, where she didn't lose a single game. She ended her 2007 - 2008 season as the WPRO #1 ranked player as well as the WOR Women's Champion.

Your incident...your take...what, when, how or...you putting limits on the discussion is ok too...to share that may create better questions for us.

My Take: Nothing happens to you, it happens for you

Does it rise in your consciousness often?

It only rises in my consciousness during times of intense pain, frustration with vision, or occasional

lingering soreness when I chew my food. But am I paranoid or scared to walk down the street or among a crowd, or even alone? Not at all.

What does the tattoo on your right arm mean?

It’s a long story!  Short version:  As a gift, I received a “reading” over the phone.  I had told her absolutely NOTHING of myself but my first name.  The woman told me that she sensed a very masculine, warrior-type energy from me...that she was positive that in a past life I was a badass Greek athlete. (I laughed a lot.) She said I had wealth, money, status, power, etc.  “That I was the Michael Jordan of Greek athletes back in the day,” but for some reason my career got cut short in that lifetime.  Whether it was injury, death, scandal, war, or something else she couldn’t say, but I definitely did not get to fulfill that part of my journey in that life, at which point she asked me if I was athletic at all, or very competitive in any way.  Understatement of the century.  So in her words, I am getting my second chance at that life in this one, and it’s why I am so driven and dedicated and competitive.  I was also supposed to be going to get a tattoo later on that day, but still didn’t know what I wanted to get, or where to put it.  When I went to get a massage that afternoon, the massage therapist had known I was getting the reading, and just blurted out Adonis.  She has called me that ever since.  So I did a little research and tried to find a symbol for Adonis, but no such luck, so I settled on the name written in the Greek font.  Nutshell:  I guess a personal reminder of one of my purposes, my path to fulfill while I have the opportunity to use the gifts that I have been given.

BEING

Deeper question. Sexuality. Is it an open issue for you?

I’m ok with who I am. I don’t go out of my way to rub anyone’s face in it, but I don’t hide anything either. I just try to be respectful of others and hope that they would be respectful of me, but I will never be inauthentic or insincere about who I am in my entirety.

Your music. How often do you perform...group?...how did you start?...anything of importance.

So far, my performances have only been in the occasional karaoke bar, every chance I get.  I love to rock the house.  I love seeing people’s faces when they hear what comes out of “this chick.”  I have been offered opportunities to collaborate/jam with several bands, but my schedule makes it very difficult to get together with others when lives are so different.  So for the past 2 years I have just been trying to create solo projects on my own.  But I have some pretty awesome aspirations that I’d love to bring to reality asap.

NOW

Are you content at this moment in your life.

Yes and no. 

Am I happy, grateful, blessed, blissful, excited?  Yes, absolutely, all of the above.  But I have also always been the type that looks for everything that life has to offer.  I don’t know if the warrior/competitor/achiever/artist/

explorer-at heart can ever

really be content....

Download the original article and magazine:

A Sense Of Herself

- - - - -  RESTRUNG MAGAZINE

Want to go to the US Open?  Sit  with the Commissioner in the VIP Box, take photos with the lady pros and so much more?...make sure you're signed up on the Blog and watch for details?

FROM THE US OPEN PAGE:
The move to Minneapolis in 2010 was nothing short of a HOME RUN!  If you did not attend last year I am sure you heard the buzz—-the tournament was AWESOME!!  In addition to a huge turnout of players and fans the real story was the incredible downtown entertainment district in Minneapolis.  Hotels, restaurants, night clubs, world class shopping, and the gorgeous Target Center combined to provide a backdrop for non-stop fun!

Information will be released on Monday, September 5...

US OPEN 

Tell your friends....