USTA Missouri celebrates National Tennis Month with events for all ages

May was National Tennis Month, a monthlong celebration that featured a variety of opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to play the world’s healthiest sport. Within USTA Missouri several fun-filled events were held as part of National Tennis Month, and ample more are coming up this summer for players to jump in on the action.

The month of May kicked off with a National Tennis Month game night at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, and participants had the opportunity to play Red Ball Tennis, Cardio Tennis and doubles games free of charge.

Leslie Echols, USTA Missouri executive director, said May 10 was one of the highlights of the month. Larry Holmes, Cooper Tennis Complex head coach, led a Hit To Be Fit event—a 90-minute Cardio Tennis offering—with breakfast following the free class.

While the Hit To Be Fit session was happening, the Level 5 Open: USTA Missouri Spring Skirmish was rolling along at Cooper. Maddy Platko directed the one-day adult tournament, which featured 33 total players from states including Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. Men’s and women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles divisions ran, with Echols participating and having a wonderful time.

“The Spring Skirmish was great; Maddy does a phenomenal job,” Echols said. “She knows how to throw a great party. She had sponsors, provided lunch and had raffles. It was just nonstop tennis packed into one day, so I think everyone had a great time.”

Other National Tennis Month highlights included a Level 6 junior tournament in Columbia, a Level 7 junior tourney in Jefferson City and the Southwest Missouri Senior Games for tennis competitors 50 and older in Springfield.

The month wrapped up with KidsFest in Jefferson City on May 31, a long-running kickoff-to-summer event featuring games, demonstrations and activities for families. Echols and Kortney Wassam attended alongside representatives from the Jefferson City Area YMCA—which received a USTA Missouri Valley National Tennis Month grant—to promote tennis.

KidsFest attendees could try tennis on the mini courts that included pop-up nets and red balls. Echols noted the event was an opportunity to help launch Junior Team Tennis (JTT) in the Jefferson City community. She said USTA Missouri is heavily promoting JTT offerings this summer and has gotten solid responses so far from multiple communities in the district. To fill out a JTT interest form, click here.

The fun doesn’t stop with National Tennis Month concluding, as individuals can play past May with a bevy of upcoming opportunities. Leagues, adult tournaments and junior tournaments are some of USTA Missouri’s offerings to get involved in the action.

For adult play opportunities, click here, and for youth play opportunities, click here.