Universal Tennis Reveals Spring 2023 Junior National Pathway Schedule

3 min read

For the first time since its launch in 2021, Universal Tennis is changing the format of the Junior National Pathway (JNP). The 2023 Spring Junior National Pathway will still include 16 Regional events nationwide, followed by the JNP Nationals.

Instead of 15U and 17U divisions, players ages 14-18 will be combined into one boys’ and one girls’ 18U division, while 13U players will compete in one co-ed division. Nationals will feature 32 players in each boys' and girls' 18U draw, made up of Regional winners and at-large registrants based on UTR Rating.

A Pathway to College Tennis and Beyond

The goal of the National Pathway is to expose junior players to the benefits of playing college tennis while allowing them to actually compete in front of college coaches (online and in-person). Spring Regionals will start in March and run through June (see the full schedule here). Venues include college campuses such as St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Old Dominion, Columbia University, and Georgia Gwinnett College.

How the Junior National Pathway Works

Players first compete in Regional events (eight boys' and eight girls' events) all over the nation in the 13U and 18U divisions. The winners of the 18U divisions qualify for Nationals (held July 28-30 at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, Calif.), where they will compete for championship titles and wild cards into UTR Pro Tennis Tour events. The round-robin format at both Regionals and Nationals ensures players compete in at least three matches, and all 18U matches are live-streamed.

The Junior National Pathway Champions' List

So far, Universal Tennis has hosted three Junior National Pathway's including three JNP Junior Nationals. Check out a recap from the most recent one, the 2022 Fall JNP Nationals at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego:

Registrations are open, so sign up now.

To learn more about the Pathway, click here.