Report on the 2004 USA Pro Tour

By Azmy Ibrahim, Pro Tour Director 

A salute, a congratulation, and an appreciation for the efforts of all those who helped make the US Open/Pro Tour a success. This tournament was run under very difficult circumstances. Negotiations, compromises, and occasional surprises were faced before and during the tournament. Thanks to Sheri Pittman, Doru Gheorghe, and Richard Lee for their support and quick thinking of positive solutions. The USATT headquarter staff, the tournament staff, the officials, the umpires, the volunteers, the players, coaches, and all those who contributed to the tournament worked together in a spirit of cooperation. We were also very fortunate to have an ITTF Pro Tour competition manager, Didier Leroy, who really bent backward to help us in any way he could. He was very understanding to our position, contributed with positive suggestions and ideas, and accepted all the changes to accommodate a smooth running tournament.

The tournament was running according to the schedule, although it was a changed schedule. The venue was accepted by the players, and many of them made positive remarks about it, as well the city of Chicago. The officials went out of their way to manage an organized tournament. Credits should go to Doru, Richard Lee, and Leroy.

The umpires who worked under hectic schedules have done a superb performance.

The players gave the tournament a magnificent show. Most games went to the wires. Many matches were won in the last game, and many games were deuces. The level of play made the spectators stands on their feet many times. Most of the finals witnessed the birth of new stars. 

However, we have to learn from our experiences so we can improve our future performances.

• There should be a venue that is available from the first day of the tournament to the last day of the tournament, to facilitate the number of required tables. That will make the tournament a friendly one to the players, officials, umpires, staff, and every one involved. To work every day from 7:00 am till they turn lights off after late hours at night is not reasonable. Players started their matches at 8:30 am and ended their matches after 10:00 pm. Usually international tournaments start at 10:00 am and do not last till 8:00 pm. There is also a break during the day that may last for 3 hours. Some tournaments will allow a day off during the schedule. That will give every one a chance to see the city.

• With such arrangement the air conditioning system can be used properly. It could start before the matches and during intervals, and be turned off during play.

• Stands for the player’s names were not provided. The staff did not have time to find them and buy them. As the Pro Tour does not allow players numbers, such stands could help the audience to know who is who.

• A separate computer and a special operator should be stationed at the Pro Tour control desk. It could generate a daily schedule with names, match times, previous results, and future matches that should be posted periodically on a special board at the entrance.

• Most important is an increase in the number of the umpires. Umpires should not be expected to work under such abnormal conditions.

I hope we all will work together to produce a well-tailored Pro Tour next time. See you all in the coming Pro Tour.