Tennis talent, community activities set to collide at 2025 Edwardsville Futures

Do you want to get a sneak peek at who might be hoisting a trophy someday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Roland Garros or the Centre Court at Wimbledon? You might want to stop by the Edwardsville Futures event from July 27 to Aug. 3 to see the next crop of young men’s tennis stars.

As the St. Louis area’s only professional tennis tournament, the 14th rendition of the Edwardsville Futures USTA Pro Circuit event will again feature top-tier tennis as well as an assortment of community festivities. The Edwardsville Futures is a unique tournament, even among other Futures tour events.

“It’s a professional tennis tournament for the future stars of the ATP Tour,” said Dave Lipe, tournament director and boys’ and girls’ head tennis coach at Edwardsville High School. “It is the equivalent of Double-A baseball to the major leagues. It is a weeklong event that features multiple community involvement activities.

“These guys are going to be the next stars of the highest tours. We’ve had guys win more than 70 ATP Tour events after playing in Edwardsville. For example, both the finalist and the champion male player in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon last year had played in Edwardsville. We’ve had guys who have won Grand Slam events after going through Edwardsville. Guys like Sebastian Korda and Ryan Harrison have played here.”

That’s probably true with most USTA Pro Circuit tournaments. What sets this one apart is that it’s hosted by Edwardsville High School rather than by colleges or professional organizations, as is often the case.

Colleges that host tournaments often do so to get their student-athletes experience in helping with or playing in a pro tournament. But that’s not the case with the Edwardsville Futures.

“Community involvement is the key to our success,” Lipe said. “We have to get eyeballs on our event. So we have a kids’ night where some of the pros will come out and hit some balls with the kids. We’ve got a Diversity Day and other events to garner attention on our event. It’s like the St. Louis Cardinals having ‘Country Music Night’ to get people who are into country music to come check out the Cardinals.”

Full Slate of Activities

A one-point tournament takes place July 27, and Kids’ Night at the Futures is July 28. Diversity Day at the Futures is July 30, while Mitch ‘n’ Friends, an adaptive tennis clinic, is July 31.

Fan Appreciation Day is slated for Aug. 1. The Edwardsville Futures singles semifinals and doubles championship are Aug. 2. And the singles title match is the morning of Aug. 3. Check out the full calendar of events by clicking here.

Edwardsville Futures organizers are seeking ball kids to volunteer from July 28 to Aug. 3. Individuals can register by emailing Kirk Schlueter at kschlueter@ecusd7.org. Ball kids need to be 11 and older and can choose their days and shifts, with morning, afternoon and night sessions available. Ball kids receive free lunch/dinner during their shift.