Redfoo set for U.S. Open qualifying

Redfoo took to the court against Serena Williams in an exhibition in March. (Bill Kostroun/AP) Stefan Gordy, aka Redfoo, one half of the now-defunct dance-pop

Redfoo took to the court against Serena Williams in an exhibition in March. (Bill Kostroun/AP)

Stefan Gordy, aka Redfoo, one half of the now-defunct dance-pop band LMFAO, begins his attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open this week at the sectional qualifying tournament in Salinas, Calif.

The 37-year-old musician, who is dating WTA No. 2 Victoria Azarenka, says he used to be a highly ranked junior player in Southern California. After breaking his wrist in a snowboarding accident as a teenager, Redfoo turned his attention to music. But Redfoo says he's always dreamed of playing professional tennis.

Redfoo releases song that includes Azarenka's grunt

"Every time I tour, I find a pro -- I go to the local tennis center in that country, wherever it is and I play," Redfoo told ESPN.com in January. "I played with a Davis Cup player, he’s 19 but he’s on a Davis Cup team in Malaysia. I don’t even want to tell you the score."

Here he is taking on Serena Williams at the BNP Paribas Showdown in New York in March:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph36QYdJfK8

And here he is playing with Novak Djokovic and Mardy Fish at an exhibition in California a few weeks later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJLZznhvQw8

The fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year opens its pre-qualifying to all players age 14 or over in men's singles, women's singles and mixed doubles. Winners of the 13 sectional tournaments will advance to the U.S. Open national playoffs on Aug. 16-19 in New Haven, Conn. Playoff winners in men's and women's singles earn a spot in the U.S. Open qualifying tournament, which consists of 128 players competing for 16 spots in the main draw. The mixed doubles winners get direct entry into the main draw.

In addition to singles, Redfoo is also playing mixed doubles with Georgia freshman Ayaka Okuno of Japan, with whom Redfoo has worked over the last year.

https://twitter.com/AyakaOkUNO/status/345734497137999873

sectional qualifying