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Redfoo, Ramamurthy ready to rock the Playoffs

Redfoo and Sendhil Ramamurthy are known for their success in music and television, but now they have their sights set on the biggest stage in tennis—the 2013 US Open.

Redfoo will compete in the USTA Northern California sectional qualifying tournament. © Craig Glover

Both men have registered for the 2013 US Open National Playoffs, which rewards the men’s and women’s singles champions with spots in the US Open Qualifying Tournament and the mixed doubles champions with a spot in the US Open main draw.

Registration opened March 15 for all 13 sectional qualifying tournaments of the US Open National Playoffs. The winners of the 13 sectional qualifiers advance to the US Open National Playoffs - Championships, which decide the entrants into the US Open.

Redfoo has entered the USTA Northern California Sectional Qualifying Tournament in Salinas, Calif., June 18-23. Ramamurthy has entered the USTA Eastern Sectional Qualifying Tournament, held at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, home of the US Open, June 9-15. Both plan to compete in singles and mixed doubles.

Redfoo, 37, is a rapper, dancer and DJ, best known as part of the musical duo LMFAO, whose hits include “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy and I Know It.” The multi-talented artist is also involved in tennis in a variety of capacities—as a player, fan, coach and tournament sponsor. He played tennis as a junior and has recently been seen as a spectator at many of the Grand Slam tournaments. Refoo also sponsored a USTA Pro Circuit women’s event last September, titled “The Party Rock Open” after his Party Rock clothing line, which was won by young American Lauren Davis.

Redfoo, who is entered in the US Open National Playoffs under his given name, Stefan Gordy, will be playing singles and teaming for the mixed doubles with 17-year-old Ayaka Okuno, whom he coaches. Okuno is currently ranked a career-high No. 28 in the ITF World Junior Rankings.

“As a kid, it’s always been a dream of mine to play professional tennis,” said Redfoo. “Thanks to the US Open National Playoffs for giving good players with a dream the chance to qualify for one of the biggest tournaments—the US Open. Every day I see my dream!”

Ramamurthy, 38, was a competitive junior tennis player in Texas who had dreams of going pro before going into acting. Perhaps best known for playing Dr. Mohinder Suresh on NBC’s “Heroes,” Ramamurthy has also co-starred on the TV shows “Covert Affairs,” “The Office,” and in the current “Beauty and the Beast.” In film, his feature credits include “Brahmin Bulls” and “The Lifeguard.”

“I’m psyched to compete in this year’s US Open National Playoffs,” said Ramamurthy. “Since I was a young player, I always dreamed of snagging a spot at the Open. I am also excited to play on the grounds of the US Open, where all of the action happens and where there is so much US Open history.”

Other celebrities and personalities who have competed in the US Open National Playoffs include Olympic skier Bode Miller, former Major League baseball player Todd Walker and ESPN radio host Mike Greenberg, who teamed with six-time US Open champion Chris Evert in mixed doubles.

Posted on March 15, 2013
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