Adam Studts honored as USTA Nebraska’s Outstanding Official

In celebration of Officials Appreciation Month taking place this November, USTA Nebraska is highlighting award winner Adam Studts.

When Amy Studts decided to become a USTA official so she could be a better JV coach at Westside High School in Omaha, her husband, Adam Studts, decided he would, too. Especially when he realized they could do it together. He was recently selected as the 2025 Outstanding Official for USTA Nebraska.

“Very quickly after I became a USTA certified official I started the process to become an ITA official, and this past spring I worked several DI college dual matches in Omaha,” he said. “I’m already assigned to work 15-plus DI college dual matches in spring 2026.”

His favorite part of officiating is being on court with players and having a front-row seat to some great tennis. He also likes helping teach junior players the proper rules and said educating them on how to play by Friend at Court is very rewarding. His least favorite part is he is still new to officiating and has a lot to learn.

“Learning and knowing the rules is one thing,” Studts said. “But applying good judgment and fairness to all the strange and interesting scenarios that the rules and code don’t address directly is a whole different thing. Gaining more officiating experience at all levels of play will help me continue developing my on-court perspective and judgment.”

Studts first started playing tennis in middle school, and he played at Ralston High School in the 1990s. He played in the USTA in his 20s then took a break while he focused on graduate school, work and family.

He got back into it when his wife first started playing in 2019. Since then, they have played mixed doubles together every year and even competed at nationals together in 2022.

“We get along great on the court and (almost) never argue,” he joked.

Since becoming an official, Studts said he now has a new appreciation for the rules and how the game should be played. He said anyone who loves tennis would gain a deeper appreciation for the sport by becoming an official.

“Officiating is a great way to stay close to the game and has provided me an opportunity for personal growth by teaching me new skills and knowledge, and applying them in some very dynamic situations,” Studts said. “I’ve also gained a new respect for officials in all sports.”