World TeamTennis Tournament Slated for Springfield

Adult recreation-level players seeking a fun and competitive tournament offering have one forthcoming in the World TeamTennis format (WTT). The tourney will take place June 25-27 on the outdoor courts at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.

The three-day event will be unique in that it utilizes WTT scoring but also in its tournament structure. Previous iterations of this event have usually been in a recreation league format with the top teams advancing to a National Qualifier (NQ). But this year, entrants will need to win their NTRP divisions in the new tournament structure to claim an NQ spot.

“With some of the Covid-19 restrictions, we’ve just been hesitant to do a lot of big tournaments or big leagues,” said Paul Nahon, who is running the tournament. “Now that things are opening up, this timing is good. [The new tournament format] is partially Covid and just logistics and manpower. Trying to figure out where we can allocate resources that have been a little sparse through this. We’re starting to bring those resources back in again, too.”

Each participating team will need at least two men and two women (18 years and older). Under the WTT format, every match will consist of two singles, two doubles and two mixed doubles contests. Matches are six no-ad sets with total games won from all sets determining the victor

Nahon — general manager of the Springfield Lasers World TeamTennis franchise — said the tournament structure has been utilized at times in past years. Registration for the upcoming event is open and will remain so until June 21.

Teams or individuals can sign up by clicking here. Any questions or requests for additional information can be directed to Paul Nahon — pnahon@springfieldmo.gov

Nahon is planning to have a minimum of a dozen teams participate with the hope of up to 20 or 30 teams entering the event. Flight options include NTRP levels 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5. At least four teams at the 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 levels must participate for the flight winner to earn a bid to the National Qualifier. The 4.5 level, meanwhile, needs a minimum of three teams for the NQ bid.

“We just look forward to welcoming people back to Springfield and getting them to come to town and play if they want to travel from out of town,” Nahon said. “As well as taking care of our local players and giving them the opportunity to compete again.”

 Nahon said senior divisions of 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 are likewise available.

“Everyone gets to play, which is great,” Nahon said. “I like it because I can play three different events within two hours. It gives you many different flavors of tennis.”

Winners of the flights will get to next compete nearby in St. Louis, which plays host to the National Qualifier July 30-Aug. 1 at Dwight Davis Tennis Center. The next stop after that would be in Orlando at the USTA National Campus on Nov. 19-21 for 2021 World TeamTennis Nationals.

Nahon noted the event will be a nice segue into the professional World TeamTennis season. It was recently announced the WTT campaign will take place Nov. 13-28 at Indian Wells in California.

Five teams — including the Springfield Lasers — will contest 31 matches during a 16-day stretch. The abridged season will be the second consecutive one shifted due to Covid-19, as the 2020 season also occurred at just one venue (The Greenbrier in West Virginia). For more information on the coming WTT season, click here.

“It’s great to have this coming together,” Nahon said. “It’s going to build excitement back for World TeamTennis. Hopefully, going into 2022, we go back to playing at home again. Obviously, all of our fans can’t wait for that.”