HALEY MENDEZ AWARDED 2017 U.S. OPEN WOMEN’S WILD CARD

Haley Mendez will make her U.S. Open presented by Macquarie Investment Management main draw debut as the women’s wild card at Drexel University, October 7-8.

The twenty-three-year-old American will make just her third U.S. Open appearance and first on the ASB GlassCourt this fall.

Mendez, a Brooklyn native, represented Team USA in the 2013 World Juniors at Harvard and the 2016 Pan Ams at Trinity.

“I am thrilled to receive the wildcard for this year’s U.S. Open,” Mendez said. “I have had the privilege of representing the U.S. on home soil twice. The extra strength you can draw from having a home crowd behind you is priceless. That intangible feeling will make stepping on the glass court at Drexel all the more special.”

The Harvard graduate has risen to world No. 54 after her first full year on the PSA Tour.

“I have attended the event for so many years as a spectator, there to support friends and to watch quality squash, that being there as a player will be a huge honor,” Mendez said. “It is particularly exciting given the tournament’s overlap with Women in Sports Day and the leadership role that the U.S.—and this tournament in particular—have taken in prize money parity.”

Mendez has already competed in four PSA World Series Events in 2017 and will face one of the top players in the world in the first round.

“It is so exciting to get the chance to compete at the highest level myself,” Mendez said. “Anytime I step on court, the goal is to play the best squash that I can and hopefully that wins me some matches!”