USTA Oklahoma Year in Review

The desire to play tennis is alive and well in Oklahoma! Building off a tremendous year in 2021, the stage is set for USTA activities to reach new heights in the new year. Participation in local leagues has surged as players embrace tennis as the ideal sport for healthy exercise, sportsmanship, competition, and social distancing admits an ongoing pandemic. A look back at the previous year shows growth in three key areas: USTA Oklahoma Adult Leagues, USTA Oklahoma Junior Tournaments and Oklahoma Junior Team Tennis. 

Nearly 2,800 people participated in a USTA Oklahoma Adult League in 2021, representing more than 7,000 overall registrations. That represents an 8.5% increase since 2019. “We give a lot of credit to the tennis pros and facilities”, says Michelle O’quin, Adult League District Coordinator. “They enthusiastically introduce USTA to these players, many of them picking up a racket for the first time.” O’quin says “a prime example is the 2.5 women’s league, where more than 430 players representing 48 teams participated.” 

Participation in UTSA Junior competition is up a whopping 37% since 2019. A new competition system launched last year brought uniformity across all 17 UTSA Sections, with 77 tournaments taking place at different clubs and facilities across the state. Multiple tournament formats and skill level options were available to the more than 5,100 junior participants who took part, with even more availability set to come in 2022.

Junior Team Tennis (JTT) is growing as well. More than 1,000 players took part in an Oklahoma JTT league 2021, more than any other district in the Missouri Valley section. These competitions included the best of the junior teams facing off in the JTT District Championships this past July. Over 200 players ranging in age from 8 to 18 squared off at Edmond Center Court in Edmond, OK, competing in a festive atmosphere of cheering crowds, food trucks and snow cones. Some of the best players in the State took part in this competition.  A great experience for sure!

2021 was also a banner year for the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation, which positively impacts lives by supporting and funding organizations that promote tennis and education. The OKTF board of directors and Executive Director, Carmen Bond continue to make an impact on Oklahoma youth with their FREE Hall of Fame Tennis Clinics. One such clinic was given in 2021 at “Positive Tomorrows” school for homeless children. The OKTF team including 33 volunteers introduced tennis to over 100 homeless kids ages 4 years to 6th grade.  Another way the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation makes a difference is by supporting other tennis organizations and individuals. Grants totaling $36,600 were given out to programs in several different Oklahoma counties to help support adaptive tennis programs, the development of junior tennis players and educational opportunities. An additional $18,500 was also given in need-based academic and performance scholarships in 2021.

If you would like to learn more about UTSA Adult Leagues, Junior Leagues, JTT or the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation, please reach out to the contacts below:

• USTA Adult Leagues: oquin@ustaoklahoma.com

• USTA Junior Leagues: minihan@ustaoklahoma.com

• Oklahoma Junior Team Tennis: mckenzie@ustaoklahoma.com

• Oklahoma Tennis Foundation: oktennisfoundation.org

   

For all USTA Oklahoma information and articles go to www.thebaseliner.net