By late afternoon Wednesday the Rome-Floyd Tennis Center was basically a ghost town for the first time in close to a week.

The whirlwind had died down; the excitement had gone and it was back to business as usual for center director Bobby Walker and his staff.

But the thoughts of the Georgia Junior Open that showcased some of the world’s top junior player’s were still fresh on everyone’s minds.

“It was a nice tournament and our Rome kids did well,” said Walker, who hosted the tennis center’s portion of the tournament. “What we’re hoping is that if we can keep these tournaments in town, which I believe we will, it will encourage more junior players to play competitive tennis.”

And the tournament was a success for Rome area players and area businesses as well.

Walker credits the USTA tournaments with helping to keep local kids in town for tennis tournaments and saving parents a few dollars as well.

“Up until a few years ago kids didn’t have a tournament like this in town and had to do a lot of traveling,” Walker added. “These kind tournaments benefit Rome and kids and that’s what the Rome-Floyd Recreation Authority is about.”

The tournament featured more than 400 players from 11 states and six countries.

The tournament also gave Georgia players the chance to match up against some top-notch competition during the week.

“The proximity and the quality of the facilities and hospitality in Rome combined with the tennis enthusiasm in this town makes for a good setting for championship tennis,” said tournament director Robert Sasseville.

“We certainly appreciate the support from the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority, the Coosa Valley Tennis Association, the Rome Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Berry College. Without them this tournament would not have been possible.