USTA Missouri Valley Tennis History

Historical Timeline

 

2025:

• Madison Keys (Rock Island, Illinois) wins first career Grand Slam at the Australian Open in women's singles.
• Scott Hanover receives Eve Kraft USTA Community Service Award and is named High School Coach of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) magazine.
• Pat Purcell (St. Louis) and her USA teammates win the Women's 70 & Over championship at the ITF Masters World Team Championships in Florida. Shannon Gordon-Carney (St. Louis) and her USA teammates finish second in Women's 65 & Over.
• Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa and Overland Park Racquet Club in Kansas named USTA Outstanding Facility Award recipients (large private category).
• Skye Madatali (St. Louis) receives the Bill Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Award at the USTA Girls' 18s National Championships.

 

2024:

• USTA Missouri Valley becomes manager of Plaza Tennis Center in Kansas City.
• Emerey Gross (St. Louis) receives the Lew Brewer Sportsmanship Award at the 2024 Brewer's Cup Team Tournament.
• Tyler Hancock (USTA Oklahoma) wins the NTRP National Championship in the Men's 18 & Over 3.0 singles division.
• Wilbur Jones (Shawnee, Kansas) places first in doubles at the Level 1 USTA Men's 85s National Indoor with his partner, Jerald Hayes. Jones also places third in Men's 85 singles.
• Henry's Heroes (USTA Oklahoma)—named in honor of Steve Henry—wins 55 & Over 9.0 Men's USTA League National Championship.
• Miracle Hill Golf and Tennis Center in Omaha is selected as USTA Member Organization of the Year.

 

2023:

• USTA Missouri Valley is named Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) magazine's 2023 USTA Section of the Year.
• Emerey Gross (St. Louis) receives the Bill Talbert Female Junior Sportsmanship Award.
• Nathan Turtledove is named the winner of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Ann Lebedeff Leadership Award for his continued service to college tennis.
• Wilbur Jones (Shawnee, Kansas) helps his 85 & Over team win the gold medal at the ITF World Team Championships. He is awarded the Golden Slam Award for winning all four Level 1 doubles matches played in 2023.
• LifeTime Fitness in Des Moines is named USTA Outstanding Facility Award recipient.
• Edmond Center Court is named USTA Featured Facility of the Year at USTA Annual Meeting and Conference.

 

2022:

• Nick Taylor (Wichita) receives the Brad Parks Award for his outstanding contribution to helping grow wheelchair tennis at the local level. Taylor is honored during the USTA Annual Meeting.
• Edmond Center Court in Edmond, Oklahoma and Quad Cities Tennis Club in Moline, Illinois both receive 2022 USTA Outstanding Facility Awards.
• Lily Lautenschlager (Lincoln) participates in her first BNP Paribas World Team Cup.
• Madison Keys (Rock Island, Illinois) wins the Adelaide International 2 for her sixth career WTA singles title.

 

2021:

• Jodie Adams (Springfield, Missouri) receives the Barbara Williams Service Award. It recognizes a female volunteer who, through her leadership and by her example, has encouraged and inspired others to become volunteers and assume leadership roles at the community, section and/or national levels of the USTA.
• Nick Taylor announces his retirement from professional tennis following the UNIQLO Wheelchair Masters Doubles event in Orlando at the USTA National Campus. Taylor is an 11-time Grand Slam champion, five-time Paralympic medalist and has 11 titles at the Doubles Masters with David Wagner. Taylor ended his career with a total of 813 wins combined in singles (383) and doubles (430).
• Marshalltown Court Complex in Marshalltown, Iowa wins a Facility of the Year for Educational Institutions Award.
• An 18 & Over 4.5 Men's team from USTA Heart of America, captained by Rory Ramsdell, wins USTA League Nationals.

 

2020:

• Casey Ratzlaff plays in his first-ever US Open.
• The COVID pandemic gives USTA Missouri Valley the opportunity to get creative with introduction to Tennis at Home.
• USTA Missouri Valley celebrates its 100th anniversary. The yearlong celebration features the distribution of $100,000 in community grants to grow local tennis.
• The Minihan family (Edmond, Oklahoma) is the winner of the 2020 Ralph W. Westcott USTA Family of the Year Award. The annual award is presented to a family who volunteers its time to promote amateur tennis, emphasizing the theme that tennis is a family sport.

 

2019:

• Nick Taylor teams up with David Wagner to win the quad doubles championship at USTA US Open Wheelchair in St. Louis.
• Springfield Lasers win back-to-back World TeamTennis championships, bringing the King Cup to Springfield for the second time in franchise history.
• Casey Ratzlaff (Wichita) brings home a silver medal in men's doubles at the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru.
• The Greens Country Club in Oklahoma City is named USTA Member Organization of the Year.

 

2018:

• Jack Sock teams up with Mike Bryan to win the Wimbledon gentlemen’s doubles title and the US Open men’s doubles title.
• An 18 & over 4.0 Women’s team from Topeka, Kansas captained by Michelle Bettis finishes second at the USTA League National Championships.
• Springfield Lasers win the World TeamTennis championship, bringing the King Cup to Springfield for the first time in franchise history.
• Three teams win USTA League Mixed Doubles National Championships—8.0 40 & Over team from Des Moines; 9.0 40 & Over team from Tulsa; 8.0 18 & Over team from Omaha. 
• Oklahoma City Tennis Center is named USTA Outstanding Facility of the Year.

 

2017:

• A USTA Heart of America 18 & Over 4.0 team captained by Romy Carlson wins the USTA League National Championships. A USTA St. Louis 18 & Over 2.5 team captained by Britney Coffey was is named national co-champions.
• Jack Sock wins the Paris Masters 1000, earning a spot in the ATP World Finals in London.
• Rock Island, Illinois native Madison Keys finishes as runner-up at the US Open to Sloane Stephens.

 

2016:

• Tennis Industry Magazine names USTA Missouri Valley as its Section of the Year.
• A Junior Team Tennis squad from Oklahoma City finishes second at the USTA Junior Team Tennis 18U Intermediate National Championships.
• A USTA League team from Tulsa captained by Tom Lydy finishes second at the USTA League 55 & Over 6.0 National Championships.
• Nick Taylor (Wichita) earns a silver medal in the Paralympics in the Quad division of wheelchair tennis. Jack Sock also earns a gold medal in mixed doubles at the Olympics with partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and a bronze medal in doubles with partner Steve Johnson.
• Charles Taylor (Park City, Kansas) is selected as one of 10 winners of the 18th annual NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest.
• Barbara Fackel (Rock Island, Illinois) is selected for the prestigious USTA Barbara Williams Service Award.

 

2015:

• John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick and James Blake play in the Champions Cup Presented by Woods Park in Lincoln, Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
• Nathan Han (Tulsa) wins the USTA Boys' 14s National Championship.
• The Springfield Lasers of World TeamTennis celebrate their 20th season in 2015.
• The 18 & Over 4.5 Women's team from Edmond, Oklahoma captained by Nina Loeffler and Nicky Glover win the USTA League National Championship.
• Jack Sock (Lincoln) wins his first ATP Tour title at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston. He also sealed the United States' Davis Cup victory over Uzbekistan.

 

2014: 

• Lincoln, Nebraska native Jack Sock wins the Wimbledon gentlemen’s doubles title with partner Vasek Pospisil over Mike and Bob Bryan. It is Sock’s second Grand Slam title.
• St. Louis hosts a Fed Cup World Group Playoff match between the U.S. and France at Chaifetz Arena. The U.S. team, which included Rock Island, Illinois native Madison Keys, was defeated 3-2. As part of the Fed Cup, a community event is held at Dwight Davis Tennis Center in which nearly 200 children attend a free clinic. The USTA also provides a grant to resurface the stadium court at Dwight Davis as part of a Fed Cup Legacy program.
• John McEnore, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier and Michael Chang play in the Champions Showdown at the Sprint Center in Kansas City as part of the PowerShares Series Tennis circuit.
• A new USTA logo incorporating the flaming ball design is implemented for all levels of USTA Missouri Valley.

 

2013:

• A squad from Oklahoma City captures the USTA Junior Team Tennis 18U Intermediate National Championship.
• Jack Sock (Lincoln) returns home for the dedication of new courts at Irvingdale Park in Lincoln. The courts are refurbished thanks to the Fresh Courts program, a partnership between the USTA and American Express. The park includes two full 70-foot courts and two 36-foot courts.
• Nick Taylor and his longtime doubles partner, David Wagner, notch their fourth Australian Open Grand Slam doubles title in Melbourne.

 

2012:

• USTA Missouri Valley membership surpasses 24,000 in the first month of the year.
• USTA membership for one year increases to $20 for juniors, $44 for adults and $72 for families.
• Nick Taylor competes at the London Paralympic Games and wins a gold in quad doubles with partner David Wagner—their third consecutive Paralympic gold. He also wins his first singles medal (bronze). The team is named by the USOC as the 2011-12 Paralympic Team of the Year.

 

2011:

• Nick Taylor competes in the 2011 World Team Cup in Pretoria, South Africa.
• Jack Sock wins the US Open mixed doubles championship with Melanie Oudin.
• Free USTA memberships are offered for the first time to new members 10 and under.
• This was the last year the St. Louis Aces competed in World TeamTennis.

 

2010:

• Kansas City Explorers win the World TeamTennis National Championship in Kansas City. The championships are played at the Explorers' home court, Barney Allis Plaza.
• Jack Sock wins US Open Junior Boys' title and USTA Boys' 18 National Championship in Kalamazoo.
• USTA Missouri Valley membership surpasses 23,000.

 

2009:    

• Independence, Kansas is selected as a top-three finalist in the USTA’s search for America’s "Best Tennis Town." Springfield, Missouri is awarded honorable mention.
• Nick Taylor wins quad doubles title at the US Open and Australian Open.
• USTA US Open Wheelchair Championships move to St. Louis.

 

2008:

• USTA Missouri Valley moves its offices to 6400 W. 95th Street in Overland Park, Kansas.
• Tulsa’s Michael Case Tennis Center is the site of NCAA Division I Tennis Championships.
• A USTA Oklahoma 9.0 mixed doubles team captures a national title at the USTA National Western Mixed Doubles Championships.
• Nick Taylor wins quad doubles title at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China.

 

2007:

• Cameron Hubbs (Omaha) caps a perfect 167-0 high school career and is featured in Sports Illustrated.
• Travis Helgeson (Overland Park, Kansas) and Amanda Craddock (St. Louis) are part of NCAA championship teams.
• Kevin Green (St. Louis) wins singles and doubles titles at USTA/ITA National Collegiate Wheelchair Championships.

 

2006:

• A new USTA logo incorporating a shield design is implemented for all levels of USTA Missouri Valley.
• Oklahoma City Tennis Center and Columbia, Missouri given $100,000 grants to refurbish public facilities.
• Springfield Lasers capture first USTA Missouri Valley/WTT “Show-Me” Cup.

 

2005:

• St. Louis hosts first-ever Tennis Block Party and USTA Missouri Valley Tennis On Campus Championships at Dwight Davis Tennis Center.
• Juniors Colleen Rielley (Girls' 18s) and Jack Sock (Boys' 12s) ranked No. 1 in nation.

 

2004:

• USTA Missouri Valley offices are moved to 8676 W. 96th Street in Overland Park, Kansas.
• National Indian Tennis Championships are held at Oklahoma City Tennis Center.
• Nick Taylor wins quad doubles title at Paralympics in Athens, Greece.

 

2003:

• Mervyn Webster (Wichita) leads Team USA over Great Britain at the Maureen Connolly Challenge.
• USTA Missouri Valley, Missouri Valley Tennis Foundation and Miracle Match Foundation host charity tennis event that features John McEnroe and Mats Wilander in Tulsa.

 

2002:

• Davis Cup is held in Oklahoma City: USA beats Slovak Republic, 5-0
• Fed Cup held in Springfield, Missouri at Cooper Tennis Complex: USA beats Israel, 5-0

 

2001:

• Missouri Valley captures its second consecutive title at the Billie Jean King World Team Tennis Championships in San Diego.
• 4.5 Senior Men (USTA Heart of America) capture the USA League Tennis National Championships in San Diego.

 

2000:

• 8.0 and 9.0 Mixed League (USTA Heart of America) team captures first place at USA League Tennis National Championships in Tucson.

 

1998:

• USTA Missouri Valley implements a new website with information regarding tournaments, news, schedules, rankings and more.
• USTA Missouri Valley sends four junior players, including Jenny Hopkins, to participate on the 1998 Team USA squad.

 

1997:

• USTA and USTA Missouri Valley publish five-year strategic plan focusing on the USA Tennis 'Plan For Growth' initiative.
• D. A. Abrams becomes the first African American to serve as executive director of a USTA section office by becoming the USTA Missouri Valley executive director.

 

1996:

• First year of the “Tennis In The Hood” program brings tennis to the inner-city.
• USTA St. Louis opens its office.

 

1994:

• MVTA moves offices to location at 8th & Walnut streets in Kansas City, Missouri.
• Second-annual Branson Celebrity Tennis Classic held at Cooper Tennis Club features celebrities such as Andy Williams, Tony Orlando, Yakov Smirnoff, Pat Boone, Bob Eubanks and the Oak Ridge Boys.
• MVTA's Mervyn Webster coaches Lori McNeil to a first-round victory over Stefi Graf at Wimbledon.

 

1993:

• Kansas City Explorers franchise added to World TeamTennis.

 

1991:

• Davis Cup held in Kansas City at Kemper Arena: USA beats Germany, 3-2.

 

1987:

• Len Prosser is inducted into the Greater Kansas City Amateur Sports Hall of Champions.

 

1985-86:

• MVTA section office moves from Des Moines, Iowa to Kansas City, Missouri.

 

1984:

• Junior Novice Tournament Circuit and Play within Districts is instituted.

 

1983:

• A total of 105 tournaments held in the section.
• Buff Farrow wins sportsmanship award in the Boys' 16s at Junior Nationals in Kalamazoo.
• Fritz Bissell (Des Moines) attains No. 1 MVTA and No. 1 USTA national ranking.

 

1982:

• Davis Cup held in St. Louis at the Checker Dome: USA beats Sweden, 3-2.

 

1978:

• Wilbur "Junior" Coen and Alex George are inducted into the Greater Kansas City Amateur Sports Hall of Champions.

 

1976:

• WCT World Doubles Championships held at Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium.

 

1972:

• St. Louis produces junior champions in seven of the eight divisions at the annual Junior Championships.
• Yellow tennis balls approved on a trial basis by USLTA.

 

1971:

• USLTA membership fees: $8 for adults and $2 for juniors.
• A total of 84 tournaments held in the section.

 

1970:

• MVTA membership reaches more than 2,000; club membership is at 100; 75 tournaments held in the section.

 

1968:

• MVTA offices are now located in Des Moines.
• World Championship Tennis, Inc. brings pro tournament to Des Moines. It includes international players such as John Newcombe and Tony Roche of Australia, Cliff Drysdale of South Africa and Earl "Butch" Bucholz of St. Louis.

 

1964:

• Jimmy Connors (St. Louis) is ranked No. 3 in the country in Boys' 12s division.
• Dick Gilkey wins Boys' 18s singles sectional crown. Gilkey also wins mixed doubles title against Francis Baxter and partner.

 

1961:

• USLTA membership fees: $3 for adults and $1 for juniors.
• Arthur Ashe wins USTA National Indoor Junior Championship while in school in St. Louis.
• NCAA Championships held in Ames at Iowa State University.

 

1960-61:

• A total of three indoor tournaments planned for the entire Missouri Valley section.
• Arkansas leaves MVTA and joins the Southern section.

 

1960:

• Items discussed among officers at MVTA Meeting: Publishing a yearbook and forming a committee to select Hall of Fame members.

 

1959:

• Total number of MVTA registrations: 1,191.

 

1956:

• Newton, Iowa boasts 70 members in the Newton Tennis Association, up from just 12 four years earlier.

 

1947:

• MVTA leads all USLTA sections in increased memberships from the previous year (over 100% increase).

 

1946:

• Davis Cup held in St. Louis at the Triple A Club: USA beats the Philippines, 5-0.

 

1928:

• Davis Cup held in Kansas City, Missouri at Rockhill Tennis Club: USA beats China, 5-0.

 

1927:

• Exhibition Match: Wilbur (Junior) Cohen vs. Helen Wills (1927 Wimbledon champ) at Rockhill Tennis Club.
• 26th-annual MV Tennis Championships held at Omaha Tennis Club.

 

1923:

• Dwight Davis (St. Louis) becomes president of USLTA.
• First-ever National Public Parks Championships held in St. Louis.

 

1922:

• Arkansas joins the MVTA.

 

1921:

• Kansas City-area Interclub Series begins.

 

1920:

• MVTA (Missouri Valley Tennis Association) is founded and admitted as part of the USLTA.
• James Cravens (Rockhill Tennis Club) is named first MVTA president.
• Five states included in the original MVTA: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

 

1917:

• St. Louis Tennis Association is formed.

 

1909: 

• First Missouri Valley Tennis Championships for women held at K.C.A.C. Athletic Field.

 

1907: 

• Sixth-annual MV Tennis Championships held at Kansas City Athletic Club fields with 81 singles entrants. It is the largest entry to date in the history of the sport in the section.
• Dwight Davis establishes first 'park tennis courts' in St. Louis.

 

1899:

• Dwight Davis (St. Louis) wins National Intercollegiate Singles Championship.

 

1881:

• A small group of tennis club members meet at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City to form the world’s first national governing body for tennis: the United States National Lawn Tennis Association (later to be known as the USTA).