Bode Goes to Court...

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Following his official nomination to the U.S. Olympic Alpine Team yesterday, Bode Miller announced that he'll hang up his skis at the end of this season—at least temporarily—as he vies for a spot in the U.S. Open of tennis.

In an attempt to increase public interest and extend its reach, the U.S. Tennis Association will organize a series of sectional playoff tournaments this spring open to all members of the USTA. The winners of each sectional tournament will advance to the U.S. Open National Playoffs, where they'll have an opportunity to advance to the U.S. Open's main draw.

Miller, who grew up playing and teaching at his family's tennis camp in New Hampshire is a former Maine high school singles tennis champ. "Tennis has always been a part of my life," Miller said in a statement released by the USTA. "The U.S. Open National Playoffs is a great concept, and I look forward to playing in one of the sectional qualifying tournaments this spring. It will give me an outlet to focus my competitiveness after the Olympics and World Cup season."

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