Junior Team Tennis Returns to Heart of America

After an extended break through the spring months, Junior Team Tennis is making its return to the USTA Heart of America.

The league will be divided into two age groups, 14-and-under and high school aged teams, and will be played throughout the month of July.

“This summer is unique with everything that’s going on,” Rod Zerni, in his fifth year as the Junior Team Tennis coordinator, said. “This will be the smallest it’s been in a long time.”

The teams, which are co-ed, are traditionally comprised of at least three boys and at least three girls. However, with the strange constraints of COVID-19, Zerni says that there may be some flexibility in those requirements.

Junior Team Tennis is divided into three seasons: winter, summer and fall. The winter and fall leagues are played without the opportunity for further advancement. The summer league is unique in that the winner is given an opportunity to play at the section championships, with a chance to advance to Nationals.

The matches will be played throughout July on every Wednesday, culminating in a tournament on August 5.

“We’re going to play singles in the morning and doubles in the afternoon, with a little celebration in between,” Zerni said.

Team registration is currently open, with the league set to start on July 1. For more information, click here or contact Zerni at rodzerni@gmail.com.