Tennis On Campus Looking for Return to Play in 2021

Tennis is beginning to return to normal in some areas of the United States, but not for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic still has collegiate club tennis teams and USTA Missouri Valley’s Tennis On Campus program off the courts.

“Unfortunately our club sports program is not allowing us to practice or compete for Fall 2020,” Emma Templin, of Mizzou Club Tennis said. “I wish we could be playing. Club sports has not yet made an announcement whether we will be allowed to play (in the spring).”

It’s a similar story in Springfield.

"Our school is allowing us to play. However, there are not really any tournaments happening this semester that we found,” Adam Schoening, of Missouri State Club Tennis, said. “We are trying to set up duals with other teams, but other than that there aren't any other events taking place."

That includes the 2020 USTA Missouri Valley Tennis On Campus Fall Invitational. It’s typically held in late September or early October.

“There were just too many uncertainties surrounding colleges, group gatherings and events,” Scott Howes, USTA Missouri Valley Adult Play Manager, said. “We also factored in the various safety policies related to each individual school’s athletic and recreation department. The decision to cancel was made considering the best interest of the health and safety of each of the TOC clubs and its members.”

Tennis on Campus has instead gone virtual. The 2020 USTA Tennis On Campus Virtual Fall Invitational Challenge is available for all interested Tennis on Campus clubs. Instead of playing in-person matches, teams will compete various challenges focusing on a range of tennis skills and athleticism. Teams will submit videos of their challenges using social platforms, with grants and a trip to the 2021 Tennis on Campus National Championships on the line.

“We still plan to host the annual USTA Missouri Valley Tennis On Campus Section Championship in the spring of 2021,” Howes said. “This event consists of 16 Tennis on Campus clubs and has been held in Des Moines, Iowa, at the LifeTime Athletic Facility for the past three years.”

There’s a chance Missouri State, Mizzou and other schools will be able to play in-person this spring. They’re doing everything they can to prepare for that opportunity.

“Although we are not able to meet in large groups, we stay connected through our group chat and will contact each other to play one-on-one in our free time,” Templin said.