Miami, Fla. (March 10, 2026) – UTR Sports, creator of the global UTR Pro Tennis Tour (UTR PTT) and gold-standard UTR Rating, today announced that the popular UTR Pro Summer Slam is returning for a second year. A favorite among current and former collegiate tennis players globally, the 13-week series will deliver $500,000 in prize money and take place at a dozen premier universities across the U.S.
Each five-day event will offer at least five guaranteed matches and $12,500 in total prize money, helping players gain meaningful match experience and earn considerable prize money while minimizing travel costs by competing close to home. Altogether this year, the UTR PTT, including the UTR Pro Summer Slam, will facilitate more than 400 events in 30-plus countries, improving accessibility to pro tennis for rising players everywhere.
View complete UTR Pro Summer Slam Schedule
Through initiatives like the UTR Pro Summer Slam, UTR Sports advances its mission of connecting and growing tennis with an accurate global rating, innovative events, and a global community built around level-based play.
“Guaranteed matches and prize money close to home on elite college campuses is exactly what college tennis players need right now,” said Mark Leschly, Chairman and CEO of UTR Sports. “We’re thrilled to once more elevate college tennis and support players as they pursue their dreams.”
Top universities from coast to coast will host UTR Pro Summer Slam events, including:
| Host | Men's College Team Ranking | Women's College Team Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 67 | 21 |
| Wisconsin | 32 | 20 |
| Cal Poly | 69 | 91 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 35 | NR |
| Tufts | 1 (D3) | 10 (D3) |
| Washington | 91 | 18 |
| Tennessee | 56 | 7 |
| Baylor | 17 | 41 |
| Wake Forest | 2 | 55 |
| Florida State | 42 | 73 |
| Auburn | 19 | 1 |
| Ohio State | 1 | 6 |
“Hosting a UTR Pro Summer Slam event is going to be a great opportunity for Ohio State University men’s and women’s tennis programs,” said Melissa Schaub, head women’s tennis coach at Ohio State University. “Events like this bridge the gap between college and the next level, and we are really excited to compete even more in Columbus.”
Ohio State is scheduled to host a combined men’s and women’s event in late July, just two weeks before the UTR Pro Summer Slam Championships at Florida State University. Each series-ending championship will award $25,000 in prize money.
High-level players around the world are already setting their summer schedules around the 2026 UTR Pro Summer Slam. “The UTR Pro Summer Slam is the series to play if you’re serious about improving your game,” said Azariah Rusher (UTR Rating 13.19), a junior at Florida State University. “With plenty of guaranteed matches around the U.S. all summer, I’ll work on my game while striving to make the series-ending championship.”
Last year, Rusher earned nearly $8,000 from eight UTR PTT events, including two Summer Slam stops.
Ava Esposito (UTR 10.62) is a junior at Auburn University, the No. 1-ranked Division I women’s team in the latest UTR Sports College Team Rankings. She played in four UTR Pro Summer Slam events last year, including the series-ending championships, and made nearly $5,000 in prize money.
“Every match I played at the UTR Pro Summer Slam last year was extremely high level,” she said. “Playing at this level consistently helped me improve my UTR Rating and prepare for my junior season of college tennis.”
Throughout the UTR Pro Summer Slam, players also will earn points towards the $500,000 year-long PTT Tour Card Points Race that rewards players the more often they compete, along with all other Tour Card benefits.
About the UTR Pro Tennis Tour
The UTR Pro Tennis Tour supports professional tennis globally with prize money, venue support, technology, logistics, and guaranteed competitive play. UTR Sports is the owner and organizing body of the UTR Pro Tennis Tour (PTT), with responsibility for its Rules and Regulations, Code of Conduct, Tournament Format, and related streaming and commercial rights. The UTR Pro Tennis Tour serves players ranked 200 to 2,000 in the UTR PTT Rankings. Aspiring professional players are increasingly struggling in the pursuit of their dreams. Working with host venues and national federations, PTT provides additive and complementary opportunities to help emerging players and the broader tennis community.
About UTR Sports
The mission of UTR Sports is to connect and grow the sports of tennis and pickleball with accurate global ratings, innovative software and events, and a global community centered around level-based play. The UTR Sports Platform is anchored by our renowned ratings technology. UTR Sports provides the technology and solutions relevant and valuable to players, from recreational to professional, coaches, and organizers. UTR Sports is creating opportunities and pathways, including the UTR Pro Tennis Tour, for players from all over the world, in all stages of life, to find better matches and unlock a more fun, affordable, and flexible experience. To learn more, visit www.utrsports.net.