After a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, USTA Eastern’s League Sectionals are back in full swing! Throughout August and September, teams in multiple divisions from all of Eastern’s six regions are competing for the chance to represent the section at the National Championships, which will be held this fall at different locations in Arizona, Florida and Oklahoma.
Among those who have already advanced: Metro’s 18 & Over 5.0 Men’s team, led by Captain Matt Hansen. To earn their berth, the group battled strong competition from Northern Region and Southern Region 5.0 squads, and several matches were ultimately decided in super tiebreaks.
“We did an awesome job supporting each other and fighting for every point,” Hansen said. “Our matches were tight coming down to a few key points here and there, so mental toughness was key. [One of] the most fun parts [of the weekend] was the look of joy on everyone's faces once we clinched!”
Hansen, who played Division I tennis for both Northern Illinois University and Jacksonville University, discovered USTA League tennis just three seasons ago when he joined a friend’s team in Westchester. He loved the format and competition and decided to learn more about the program closer to home in the Metro area. Now, in just his first season captaining, Hansen is headed to Nationals for the first time.
“Overall it's awesome to captain a USTA team and see the fruits of your labor come to fruition,” he said. “We have some talented guys on our roster, but above all great human beings. So it was awesome to bring everyone together this year after a tough 2020.”
Before heading to Arizona this fall, the team planned to celebrate with ping pong and drinks in the city.
“The best part of the USTA League experience is that you get to compete like it's college again and support your buddies on the court,” Hansen said. “Tennis is an individual sport so being able to enjoy the game in a team setting—and grab beers afterwards—is priceless.”
Also punching a ticket to Nationals: The Metro 18 & Over 4.0 Men’s team, which faced off against Long Island, New Jersey, Southern and Western throughout sectional competition.
“Good communication and maintaining positive attitudes were the keys to success, as well as having the depth of players that we do,” said Team Captain Vladimir Salomon (pictured above, center).
Like Hansen, Salomon was also proud of how every member stayed focused and supported each other.
18 & Over 6.0 Mixed Champions: Southern Region
18 & Over 7.0 Mixed Champions: Metro Region
18 & Over 8.0 Mixed Champions: Metro Region
18 & Over 9.0 Mixed Champions: New Jersey Region
18 & Over 2.5 Women Champions: Southern Region
18 & Over 3.0 Men Champions: Southern Region
18 & Over 3.0 Women Champions: Long Island Region
18 & Over 4.0 Men Champions: Metro Region
18 & Over 4.0 Women Champions: New Jersey Region
18 & Over 5.0 Men Champions: Metro Region
18 & Over 5.0 Women Champions: Metro Region
18 & Over 3.5 Men Champions: Western Region
18 & Over 3.5 Women Champions: Southern Region
18 & Over 4.5 Men Champions: New Jersey Region
18 & Over 4.5 Women Champions: Long Island Region
40 & Over 3.0 Men Champions: Southern Region
40 & Over 3.0 Women Champions: Long Island Region
40 & Over 3.5 Women Champions: New Jersey Region
40 & Over 4.0 Women Champions: New Jersey Region
40 & Over 4.5 Women Champions: Southern Region
55 & Over 6.0 Women Champions: Long Island Region
55 & Over 7.0 Men Champions: Long Island Region
55 & Over 7.0 Women Champions: Long Island Region
55 & Over 8.0 Men Champions: Northern Region
55 & Over 8.0 Women Champions: Long Island Region
55 & Over 9.0 Men Champions: Southern Region
55 & Over 9.0 Women Champions: Southern Region
65 & Over 6.0 Women Champions: Northern Region
65 & Over 7.0 Men Champions: Southern Region
65 & Over 7.0 Women Champions: Long Island Region
65 & Over 8.0 Men Champions: Southern Region
40 & Over 6.0 Mixed Champions: Long Island Region
40 & Over 7.0 Mixed Champions: New Jersey Region
40 & Over 8.0 Mixed Champions: New Jersey Region
40 & Over 9.0 Mixed Champions: Long Island Region
“I think the biggest challenge was managing the nerves,” Salomon said. “We all really lifted each other up in each match, both as spectators and as doubles teammates on the court.
Salomon was thrilled to get the opportunity to compete on a national stage again. He noted that one of his best tennis moments ever was getting to attend the 2018 National Tri-Level Invitational, held in Indian Wells right before the annual pro tournament there.
“It was an incredible experience to not just play at the site but also to see the best players in the world and be face-to-face with them,” he said. “It was unbelievable.”
We will post USTA Eastern Sectional Championship results below as they become available:
18 & Over 6.0 Mixed
Champions: Southern Region
Finalists: Long Island Region
18 & Over 7.0 Mixed
Champions: Metro Region
Finalists: Long Island Region
18 & Over 8.0 Mixed
Champions: Metro Region
Finalists: New Jersey Region
18 & Over 9.0 Mixed
Champions: New Jersey Region
Finalists: Long Island Region
Tri-Level 4.0/3.5/3.0 Men
Champions: New Jersey Region
Finalists: Western Region
Tri-Level 4.0/3.5/3.0 Women
Champions: Western Region
Finalists: Metro Region
18 & Over 2.5 Women
Champions: Southern Region
Finalists: Long Island Region
18 & Over 3.0 Men
Champions: Southern Region
Finalists: Western Region
18 & Over 3.0 Women
Champions: Long Island Region
Finalists: Northern Region
18 & Over 4.0 Men
Champions: Metro Region
Finalists: Southern Region
18 & Over 4.0 Women
Champions: New Jersey Region
Finalists: Southern Region
18 & Over 5.0 Men
Champions: Metro Region
Finalists: Southern Region
18 & Over 5.0 Women
Champions: Metro Region
Finalists: Long Island Region
40 & Over 3.5 Women
Champions: New Jersey Region
Finalists: Southern Region
40 & Over 4.0 Women
Champions: New Jersey Region
Finalists: Metro Region
40 & Over 4.5 Women
Champions: Southern Region
Finalists: Long Island Region
55 & Over 6.0 Women
Champions: Long Island Region
Finalists: Southern Region
55 & Over 7.0 Men
Champions: Long Island Region
Finalists: Western Region
55 & Over 7.0 Women
Champions: Long Island Region
Finalists: New Jersey Region
55 & Over 8.0 Men
Champions: Northern Region
Finalists: Southern Region
55 & Over 8.0 Women
Champions: Long Island Region
Finalists: New Jersey Region
55 & Over 9.0 Men
Champions: Southern Region
Finalists: Metro Region
55 & Over 9.0 Women
Champions: Southern Region
Finalists: Northern Region
65 & Over 6.0 Women
Champions: Northern Region
Finalists: Southern Region
65 & Over 7.0 Men
Champions: Southern Region
Finalists: Western Region
65 & Over 7.0 Women
Champions: Long Island Region
Finalists: Southern Region
65 & Over 8.0 Men
Champions: Southern Region
Finalists: Long Island Region
40 & Over 6.0 Mixed
Champions: Long Island Region
Finalists: Southern Region
40 & Over 7.0 Mixed
Champions: New Jersey Region
Finalists: Metro Region
40 & Over 8.0 Mixed
Champions: New Jersey Region
Finalists: Metro Region
40 & Over 9.0 Mixed
Champions: Long Island Region
Finalists: Southern Region
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