USTA team events for juniors provide several benefits, increase in popularity
With many different formats available at all levels, team events for juniors are becoming increasingly popular amongst players, parents and coaches alike.
“Overall, team events in tennis promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and community involvement, in addition to providing exciting competition,” said Beth Azan, USTA Missouri Valley manager of junior competition. “Most importantly, players have fun!”
This type of programming allows juniors to join a competitive team before or during high school in a sport that is often viewed as individual. There are many positives to both playing in this type of tournament and hosting them, which has led to the rise in demand.
One of the advantages to team events is players still earn ranking points. Team event ranking points are awarded by wins instead of rounds. All players are given the chance to amass ranking points no matter how their team is doing overall. This makes it a great starting point for players who are just beginning to compete.
“We’re competing a lot with team baseball or team soccer at the beginning stages I feel like,” said Sarah Harkins, manager of competitive pathway and team events with USTA. “And some kids are on the edge and not sure about playing a tournament, but when they’re part of a team, they feel more accepted.”
This type of event is a great introduction to competitive play in a less stressful environment for players. Rather than competing for the first time by themselves, a player comes in with a partner or team behind them.
“I feel like if they’re playing in doubles and singles in a team atmosphere, not only is the doubles player on the court with them, but they have a cheering squad built in. And, really, built in friends,” Harkins said.
These friendships create bonds both on and off the court which help players feel more confident and comfortable when they start participating in traditional tournaments. They go in already knowing some players and have the experience of having competed. Ultimately, it makes them feel more connected within the tennis community and more likely to continue with the sport.
“It’s always talked about how tennis is such an individual sport, and this is a way that the sport can feel less lonely,” said Caitee Margenthaler, USTA Missouri Valley junior play coordinator.
Team events also put an increased focus on sportsmanship, a big initiative within the USTA. Being a part of a team gives players a sense of accountability as they play for more than just themselves. They have the opportunity to represent their team and sometimes even their section.
“Team events emphasize sportsmanship not only towards opponents but also towards teammates. Players learn to support each other, celebrate successes together, and handle defeats graciously,’” Azan said. “This promotes a positive atmosphere and sets a good example for spectators.”
This energetic, fun atmosphere is highlighted in the following video from the 2024 Brewer’s Cup team event, an L1 tournament that was hosted in Mobile, Alabama in March:
College coaches are starting to pay attention to events like these as well. It helps give insight not only to players’ skills in both singles and doubles, but also allows them to see how they interact with teammates and conduct themselves in a team environment.
“Balancing tournament play between individual and team events is crucial for tennis players, especially those aspiring to play collegiately,” Azan said.
This year, for the first time, a national junior team events calendar was created by Harkins. Since being created, many college coaches have asked to see it with intentions of going to watch the events in their area. This is becoming a great opportunity for them to watch potential recruits play in a team environment.
Offering team competitions at all levels not only provides players with a fun team experience in tennis, but it helps fill the gap seen in competitive team play. By having players gain experience competing as a team from a young age, when they join a team in high school or college it will be less of a shock.
“In comparison to Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 tournaments, USTA National does not limit the number of Level 6 and Level 7 tournaments hosted in each section,” Azan explained. “As a result, there are more opportunities to grow team events at the local level.”
With the various formats, it’s easy for tournament directors to try a smaller team event and work their way to hosting bigger ones.
“If you’re starting out and you’re limited on courts, start with a DomDuo, a partnership. They go out, they play doubles, they play their singles, the winning team goes on. They still get that team atmosphere, but it’s easier to manage. You don’t need, you know, 25 courts to do it,” Harkins said. “And then, you know, kind of build your way out.”
With team competitions being different from traditional tournaments, there’s understandably hesitation to host these events. But support and resources are out there to help offer these opportunities.
“The idea of organizing a team tournament may seem daunting, but Sarah Harkins has been hired to assist the sections and districts by providing helpful resources that demonstrate various creative formats and the number of courts required to run each format,” Azan said.
For interested players, here are some upcoming team events being offered:
Mid-America Mash-Up: June 28 - 30
Level 5 BG16-18 Mixed Dom Duo in Lincoln, NE: July 6-8
L6 BG12-18 Dominant Duo in Overland Park, KS: July 12-14
Battle of the Mississippi: July 26 - 28
Battle of the Sections: July 27 - 31
L5 Team BG12-14 Mixed Dom Duo in Topeka, KS: August 2-4
L5 USTA MV Mixed BG16-18 in Springfield, MO: August 2-4
L7 B12-18 DomDuo benefitting SWF Tennis: September 14-15
Search for more team event opportunities here.
Interested in adding a team event to your 2024 or 2025 tournament plans, but want more information? Reach out to Beth Azan at bazan@movalley.usta.com.
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