2022 Championship Junior Team Tennis is on the Horizon

USTA NorCal Junior Team Tennis (JTT) is back after a two-year hiatus and it’s gotten a facelift. 

JTT is now split into two tracks, both tracks remaining team tennis-based. The JTT Local League track will remain similar to years past, but this track will no longer advance to a regional or sectional event.

On the other hand, the Championship JTT track is the pathway to advancing to championship events. Co-ed teams will now be invited to participate in one of the two qualifying events that will lead to Sectionals and the Gar Glenney Cup, and eventually the National Championships.

Despite the changes, coaches and players alike are looking forward to getting back on track this coming year. Thomas Le, Tennis Director at the NorCal Tennis Academy, has been involved in team tennis since 2004 and says he welcomes the changes.

“I do like the new system, especially the ranking and streamlining of events,” he says. “I think it’s helpful to streamline across the board and we still have local leagues, but now we will focus on the qualifiers.” 

Le, who has taken several teams in multiple age divisions to the National Championship, recalls that it took him about one year to get a hang of the JTT structure when he first started. And he admits that although there will likely be a learning curve with the new structure, he plans on participating this upcoming season.

“I would love to participate in the Championship JTT track,” he emphasizes. “I mentioned it to some of my players and they’re ready to get back to playing JTT.”

Le has had much success in the Championship JTT track. He has taken as many as 10 teams to the sectionals events in one season alone and he can’t stress enough the importance of having team events within tennis.

“Tennis is a lonely sport, especially at a higher level. Team tennis allows players to still be competitive, especially going into sectionals,” Le says. “The nerves are still there, the anxiety is still there, but then you get to be with your friends and goof around during lunch, which takes some of that pressure off.”

Wing-Yan So, Site Director and Academic Coordinator at Youth Tennis Advantage (YTA) McLaren Park, echoes Le’s sentiment. She says her team is looking forward to getting back to the Championship JTT track as well.

“After learning about the change, I sent my team a message asking if they wanted to play this coming year and every message was ‘YES,’” she adds with a chuckle. “They are very excited to play. My players really enjoy JTT.” 

So, who has been with YTA since 2009 and participating in JTT for about a decade, understands the importance of team-based events in tennis for multiple reasons. One of them is the support system you get from being on a team.

The YTA coach also acknowledges that being in a team setting helps with the overall experience and cost of tennis. 

“Playing tennis at a tournament can be very expensive and time-consuming,” So says. “If it’s a single elimination event and you lose, you don’t get that practice experience. Junior Team Tennis is great for kids who are learning the ropes and it’s less pressure.”  

Long-time YTA player Anglea Ho couldn’t agree more. In fact, Ho couldn’t recommend JTT enough.

“JTT is super fun and not as intense as individual tournaments, but you can still get great competition,” says the high school senior. “JTT sort of mimics college tennis so playing on a team can help you transition from junior tennis to college. 

And this is key for Ho since she recently committed to playing at CSU Northridge. 

As a matter of fact, her coach says Ho prefers to play in JTT over tournaments because of that bond she’s built with her teammates.

“She doesn’t want to miss it,” So says. “If there was a tournament Level 2 or Level 3, she would probably choose team tennis.” 

Overall, everyone can agree that JTT is an added value to the junior space. And despite the recent changes, it will continue to help junior players with their overall game.

“JTT helps develop their skill set in doubles, which ultimately helps their singles game,” So says. “Playing on a team helps with communication on the court and being able to come to the net. Their game becomes more versatile.” 

Interested in playing Championship JTT? Click here to learn more about the Championship JTT track and Qualifiers.