Recap: 2025 Lincoln Challenger men's professional tournament

The 2025 Lincoln Challenger men’s professional tennis tournament wrapped up its second rendition last month from Oct. 12-19 at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center in Lincoln. A number of volunteers came out to make sure everything ran smoothly at the USTA Pro Circuit event.

Barbara Robertson recently moved to the Lincoln area. She thought this was a good way to meet new people and give back to the local community at the same time. She helped people check in at the door.

“It’s just awesome,” she said. “It’s the people and watching this level of tennis, being able to see it in person.”

Added another volunteer, Cathy Robertson (no relation): “I like being able to support the tennis program at the university. Volunteering is important; being able to help out and serve the community.”

While last year’s event was held outdoors, this year’s was held indoors. Tournament organizers said they hope to return to the outdoor format next year, but a lot of factors come into play.

“We have now had one version of the tournament outdoors and one version indoors,” said Tournament Director Alex Guthrie of Topnotch Events. “We are potentially going to make a more permanent move back to the summer next year, but that depends on a lot of factors like the ATP calendar.”

Rafael Jodar, 19, of Spain won the singles title, while Johannus Monday (U.K.) and Patrick Harper (Australia) claimed the doubles prize.

“Overall, the event went really well,” Guthrie said. “The ATP and the players were happy with their experience in Lincoln. On the court, we all experienced a lot of upcoming players who are going to be playing on the biggest stages of tennis in no time, specifically our singles champion, Rafa Jodar.”

Guthrie also thanked the USTA Missouri Valley and USTA Nebraska for all of the support during the event, and he is looking forward to next year.

For full results from the 2025 Lincoln Challenger, click here. Learn more about Pro Circuit tourneys within the USTA Missouri Valley by clicking here.