ROCK HILL, South Carolina - The USTA Pro Circuit has made its way into the Carolinas with stops in Hilton Head, Florence, and last week in Rock Hill, a suburb of Charlotte. Spending some time at the Rock Hill Rocks Open last week provided a greater appreciation for these overlooked events.

The Rock Hill tournament featured players primarily ranked between the 100s and the 300s in the WTA, with qualifiers sometimes ranked outside the top 1000. With a $25,000  purse, the event is a good way for these lower-ranked players to improve their standing while competing for the monetary prize. The winner of a $25,000  event gains 100 points, with more points offered in larger purse events.

In these tournaments you will find a mixture of competitors, from those who have just turned professional to those who have been in and out of the top 100. A number of those hope to better their ranking in an effort to qualify for a major or elite tour event.

One such player in Rock Hill was Melanie Oudin. The 22-year-old from Georgia launched an unlikely quarterfinal run at the 2009 U. S. Open, where she defeated Elena Dementieva, Maria Sharapova, and Nadia Petrova. Since that tournament, though, Oudin has seen her ranking drop dramatically. Recently, she has gained some momentum by climbing back to No. 122 in the world, close to earning direct entry to the 2014 Australian Open. 

Oudin entered Rock Hill fresh from a title at the Las Vegas $50,000  event in September. She was a fan favorite in the South Carolina tournament, where many fans remembered her New York run. However, Oudin fell in the semifinals to the eventual champion, Mariana Duque-Marino of Columbia.

Duque-Marino came to Rock Hill ranked No. 101, the highest of all entrants. The 24-year-old looked poised to better her career-high ranking of No. 94. Duque-Marino won her eight title as a pro, which earned her at least one trophy in each of the last four years. During that period, her success in events similar to Rock Hill have afforded her opportunities to play in eight majors, including each of the last three. During a successful 2013 season, she won a main-draw match at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

There are a number of players similar to Duque-Marino in events like Rock Hill. Most will never break into the top tier of their sport but can gain enough success at lower levels to pursue a career. However, champions as notable as Maria Sharapova have come through the USTA Pro Circuit. Accomplished Americans such as Jamie Hampton and Varvara Lepchenko have played in the Rock Hill tournament, which celebrated its fifth year on the circuit in 2013. Hampton is currently ranked No. 27, and Lepchenko has stood as high as No. 21, earning nearly $2 million in career earnings.

Rock Hill created a very fan-friendly experience. It would be the musical equivalent to watching one’s favorite band in a small venue setting as opposed to a large concert hall. There is a much more intimate feel. Some competitors sat in the stands with their parents or friends to watch their colleagues play before and after their own matches. Throughout the venue, fans could spot players lounging in the warm Carolina sun as they waited for their time on the court. Many participants mingled around the courts and were quick to carry a conversation. It is a great event for a true tennis fan looking to soak up the environment of life as a pro for players who are striving to make it to the next level. For every Serena Williams, there are literally hundreds of players competing for an opportunity to play in lower tier tournaments, hoping to one day be one of the best in the world.

Many players at Rock Hill showed plenty of raw skill, just begging to be refined. One such player was Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic. The 18 year old, who is currently ranked No. 316, seemingly has all the shots but must improve her discipline and mental toughness.

Meanwhile, Asia Muhammad enjoyed a successful week in Rock Hill by advancing to the semifinals in singles and the finals in doubles. Muhammad, the sister of NBA player Shabazz Muhammad, partnered with Allie Kiick, the daughter of former Miami Dolphins star Jim Kiick. The California native made a strong run through qualifying and played solid tennis in the main draw.

And so the tour is off to Florence, South Carolina, where many of the same faces will compete this week at the $25,000  event there. Because of the location, these tournaments are littered with American players. Similar events unfold around the world every week. This week, for example, there are 16 women's tournaments ranging from South Carolina to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where hopeful prospects cut their teeth with the ultimate goal of becoming one of the best in the game. And events such as these offer those players a valuable opportunity to take one step further toward success.