New Tournament Circuits Announced

Starting this Fall, Texas adult players will have a fun, new way to participate in tournaments. USTA Texas is launching a series of new circuits intent on encouraging players to play multiple events in select regions. When a player competes in multiple circuit events, they won’t just get bragging rights, they’ll earn unique branded items to show off their accomplishment. 

The first of these circuits, the “Rattlesnake Run,” will take place in South Texas this Fall and Winter. The circuit includes three tournaments: Corpus Christi (Oct. 7-9), Harlingen (Dec. 9-11) and Laredo (Jan. 27-29.)

The new circuits will tie-together adult L5 tournaments with the hope of not only presenting more play offerings but also building connection and community for players who might be spread out across large geographic areas.

Director of Adult Tennis, Andra Booth said this new initiative is designed to make tournament play more accessible and open. 

“We are hoping that linking some tournaments together in a close geographical area will produce some new tournament players and help these players in finding tennis friends in their local areas,” she said.

Circuits aren’t new in Texas. Sandra Lindstrom, chair of USTA Texas’s adult competitive committee, said some regional tennis tournament circuits in Texas date back to the 1960s, however she thinks this new model puts a new spin on the concept. 

“I'm sure the old Highway 80 circuit, Abilene to Odessa and a bunch of small towns in between, is not the only circuit model but the circuit models have been around a long time, and are especially effective when players are spread around a large geography,” she said. “The new model definitely incorporates the good elements we've seen from other circuits and we're looking forward to seeing this updated version play out!”

The circuits for L5 tournaments are designed to help the needs of Texas adult players. Adult Competitive Coordinators Veronica Nicholls said the circuits will offer players more competitive tennis matches, more opportunities to gain experience and points, and fun prizes to encourage healthy competition. 

“These tournaments will offer more opportunities for our tournament players to get a variety of matches in against new people and boost their rankings in hopes to be selected as a Texas representative at the NTRP National Championships,” she said. “Players that participate in at least two of these events will receive a commemorative towel at the event and players that participate in all three of them will earn a commemorative hoodie to show others you've participated in the events.”

Lindstrom said a combination of highly-capable tournament directors and a dedicated community of regular tournament players has given Texas a reputation for hosting some of the best tournaments in the nation. 

“Tournaments are a little like family reunions, you're seeing people you may not see that often, some you've never met, some you wish you'd never met,” Lindstrom said. “There's nothing like the excitement and promise of tournament weekend; the chance to exercise our competitive spirit through tournament play is unbeatable.” 

Future circuits are in the works for other regions in Texas. 

Rattlesnake Run Circuit Tournaments: 

Level 5 Open: Rattlesnake Run Stop #1 - Corpus Christi - Oct. 7-9

Level 5 Open: Rattlesnake Run Stop #2 - Harlingen - Dec. 9-11

Level 5 Open: Rattlesnake Run Stop #3 - Laredo - Jan. 27-29