Best of 2016: USTA League Thrives

As 2016 draws to a close, USTA.com is taking a look back at the top storylines, headlines and highlights from the year in American tennis. 

USTA League has long been the country’s largest recreational tennis league. In 2016, it was larger and grander than ever before

The year featured an all-time high of more than 915,000 participants playing in USTA League, including a record 6,100 who competed in the 15 USTA League National Championships events, the highest participation in a National Championship season. In total, 589 teams took part in Nationals, with 36 squads taking home titles.

In addition to a record number of players, a new location for USTA League National Championships was introduced, as participants traveled to Mobile, Ala., for the first time. 

Sportsmanship continued to be a priority for USTA League. Under USTA President Katrina Adams, more than 2,000 League participants were given sportsmanship pins to recognize this spirit of fair play.  

Additionally, USTA League continued to innovate in 2016, introducing a new Under 40 League in three different pilot cities, including Denver, Dallas and the Arlington, Va./Washington, D.C. area. The program drew more than 500 participants, with the USTA looking to expand into more markets in the coming year.