$92,000 U.S. Open 
& ITTF Pro Tour

Fort Lauderdale, Florida • July 3-8, 2001

Dear Table Tennis Enthusiasts:

Welcome to the 2001 U.S. Open/ITTF Pro Tour! USA Table Tennis is honored to host all participants in this event – including all of the wonderful volunteers and USATT staff members, the spectators, the world’s elite players, the delegations accompanying the players, USATT’s national teams, club-level players, the large contingent of disabled players, the first-time entrants, players’ family members and friends, the local dignitaries, and all of our sponsors.

USA Table Tennis has taken several measures to improve this year’s U.S. Open/ITTF Pro Tour. A few of the changes are a new Under 800 rating division, a first-ever Under 30 age division, a revised policy to allow crossover entry into both the Pro Tour and U.S. Open, and improved staging. All of these changes are in keeping with the USATT goal of creating a more professional structure for our domestically-held events.

The sport of table tennis is rapidly evolving. This year’s U.S. Open features the new 40mm ball. In next year’s event, games will be played to 11 points, in accordance with the ITTF’s upcoming change in rules.

As the president of our sport’s national governing body, I am honored to serve the membership of USA Table Tennis. Feel free to share your ideas, constructive advice and even your helpful criticism regarding association developments with me, the USATT staff or Board members. I thank the ITTF representatives in attendance this year, especially ITTF President Adham Sharara, for their support of our event and for their generous assistance.

I want to thank USA Table Tennis and U.S. Open/ITTF Pro Tour sponsors for their generosity: Martin-Kilpatrick/Butterfly, Paddle Palace/Nittaku, the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, the Marina Marriott Hotel, the Florida Sports Foundation, Table Tennis Pioneers/Stiga, ASTI, and United Airlines. Thanks also to the individuals who contributed financially to USA Table Tennis programs through their tournament entry forms.

USA Table Tennis especially appreciates the dedication of Mr. Shirakawa and the 22 visiting umpires from Japan. Their warmth and generosity epitomizes the spirit of our sport.

On behalf of USA Table Tennis, I again wish all participants and spectators a rewarding and enjoyable time at this year’s U.S. Open/ITTF Pro Tour. As a resident of South Florida, I am especially pleased to welcome everyone to one of America’s favorite tourist destinations. I hope that you all enjoy not only the tournament, but also your vacation here. And, to those of you who are spending your precious vacation days serving as tournament volunteers, I say "thank you, thank you, thank you!"

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