Universal Tennis Launches UTR National Championship Series

Universal Tennis Launches UTR National Championship Series

Calling all junior, high school and college tennis players! Universal Tennis is launching its first-ever UTR National Championship Series, a new summer competition for junior, high school and college athletes. With many events cancelled or postponed this summer, the UTR National Championship Series gives players the opportunity to compete in safe, high level local tennis events, continue to develop their game, and have their scores count globally via the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR).

The UTR National Championship Series features over 20 locations with more than 70 events and 2,000 matches across the United States, including California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. The Series is divided into three divisions: College, High School, and Juniors (14s & 16s), with events beginning July 8th and running through early August. Registration is open to all, with the top-16 players by UTR will be accepted to compete in each division.

FILA is the Official Apparel and Footwear Provider, awarding winners from all divisions with incredible prizes and giving all participating players exciting footwear and apparel offerings.

Calendar Dates:

  • College: July 8 - August 2

  • Juniors Boys & Girls (14s & 16s): July 15 - July 26

  • High School: July 29 - August 2

How It Works:

  • 20+ locations across the United States

  • Top 16 players by UTR per division will be accepted

  • World Cup style format: groups of players will compete in round robin style stages and will advance to the next round based on their results.

  • All winners will receive prizing from FILA. Winners of collegiate and junior UTR National Championship Series will be eligible to receive prize money.

  • Junior series will be livestreamed for college coaches to help support summer recruiting efforts.

  • Site hosts must comply with local health & safety guidelines (read more)

  • Players can register at MyUTR.com

A full press release follows with further detail:

UNIVERSAL TENNIS LAUNCHES UTR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Nationwide Event Series Offers High School, Junior and Collegiate Players the Opportunity to Compete Locally And Count Globally In High Level Regional Play

June 29, 2020 (Palo Alto, CA) - Universal Tennis (MyUTR.com) today announced the launch of its first-ever UTR National Championship Series, a new initiative for junior, high school and college athletes to compete in high level local tennis events, continue to develop their game, and have their scores count globally via the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR). The UTR National Championship Series features over 20 locations with more than 70 events and 2,000 matches across the United States, including California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. The series will be divided into three divisions: High School, Juniors (14’s & 16’s) and College, with events beginning July 8th and running through early August. Space is limited to the top 16 players by UTR in each division and winners of each host site will be nationally recognized by Universal Tennis as the first ever UTR National Champions. All UTR National Championship Series events will be organized based on a World Cup-style format, where groups of players will compete in round robin style stages and will advance to the next round based on their results. Winners of the collegiate and junior UTR National Championships will be eligible to receive prize money. The junior series will be live-streamed for college coaches on MyUTR.com to help support summer recruiting efforts. “The UTR National Championship Series gives young players who are eager to get back on the court a new opportunity to participate in local, high level competition that counts globally for their Universal Tennis Rating. Due to the global health crisis, players have been unable to compete for a few months, and many events have been cancelled,” said Mark Leschly, Universal Tennis Chairman & CEO. “Our partner sites are committed to following their local health and safety guidelines, while offering a fun, competitive environment for players to get back to competition, showcase their skills and return to the game they love.” FILA (FILA.com) will serve as the Official Apparel and Footwear Provider of the UTR National Championship Series, providing prizes for all winners across the junior, high school and collegiate divisions. In addition, FILA and Universal Tennis will work to create unique apparel and footwear offerings for all participants of the National Championships, as well as the broader UTR community. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Universal Tennis on the UTR National Championship Series,” said Lauren Mallon, Director of Strategic Partnerships - Tennis at FILA. “These National Championships offer players a much needed opportunity to compete in a safe, local environment, while also serving as an exceptional showcase for the FILA brand. We look forward to bringing our apparel and footwear to this talented group of players." Calendar Dates:
  • College: July 8 - August 2
  • Juniors Boys & Girls (14s & 16s): July 15 - July 26
  • High School: July 29 - August 2
Registration: Players, coaches and parents can learn more and sign up for their local UTR National Championship Series event at MyUTR.com. The new UTR National Championship Series is part of Universal Tennis’ “Play Locally. Count Globally.” initiative which offers tennis players of all levels the ability to compete locally with safe, 1:1 matchplay and have their scores count globally towards the Universal Tennis Rating. As travel restrictions continue across the United States and worldwide, local play has new meaning. When scores count for UTR, local play has global impact.

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About Universal Tennis The mission of Universal Tennis is to make tennis more affordable, accessible and fun for all players, regardless of age, gender, level and socioeconomic status. The UTR Engagement Platform is anchored by the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) Powered by Oracle, the world’s most accurate singles and doubles tennis rating system; and provides the tools and solutions to make the Universal Tennis Rating relevant and valuable to players, coaches and organizers in their local domain. Universal Tennis is creating opportunities and pathways for players from all over the world, in all stages of life, to find better matches and unlock a more fun and flexible tennis experience. Go to MyUTR.com to sign up, create or find your player profile and join the global tennis community. Watch our video and visit us on social @MyUTR.
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