April 2025 President’s Letter
With the arrival of spring, the clay court tennis season is in full bloom, offering players across the country a wealth of competitive opportunities at National Category Level 1, 2, and 3 events. One of the early highlights of the season was the NMTA National Clay Court Championships in Columbus, GA, which recently wrapped up with resounding success.
Participation saw a strong uptick from last year's inaugural event, a testament to the growing interest and enthusiasm for this tournament. Held at the Judy and Roger Pearce Tennis Center, the event was expertly managed by Tournament Director, the dedicated CORTA staff, and the Tournament Committee. While USTA registration fees have seen a modest increase, players received tremendous value in return.
From the start, participants were treated to high-quality amenities: a stylish long-sleeve quarter zip pullover, daily breakfast snacks, catered lunches on Thursday through Saturday, and each afternoon beer and snacks. A Friday night sit-down dinner fostered camaraderie among players and added a festive social element to the competition.
Not to be outdone, the Bocage Racquet Club in Baton Rouge matched these offerings and went a step further by providing prize money for all men's and women's divisions. These touches reflect the unwavering focus on player experience, spirited competition, and the professionalism of tournament staff that make these events so memorable.
Both the National Women’s Tennis Organization (NWTO) and the National Men’s Tennis Association (NMTA) are committed to growing these events and encouraging participation. Their shared mission is to elevate the competitive landscape while ensuring players feel welcomed and valued at every level.
Spring weather can be unpredictable, but that hasn't slowed the momentum. Still to come in the southern swing are standout events like the Atlanta Senior Invitational, the Southern Open, the Jerry Kirk Memorial Team Tournament, the Hilton Head Cup, and the July 4th NMTA Champions Memorial Classic.
Out west, the hard-court season begins soon with the Lakewood Tennis Center Championships and the prestigious Pacific Coast Senior & Family Championships at the historic Berkeley Tennis Club—honored as the “2024 USTA NorCal Most Outstanding Age Group Tournament of the Year.” The long-standing tradition and quality of this event reflect the standards the NWTO and NMTA are proud to support.
Looking ahead, plans are already underway for the inaugural NMTA National Indoor Championships, to be held July 23–27 at the brand-new Leftwich Tennis Center in Memphis, TN. Given the sweltering Southern summer, an indoor event offers the perfect opportunity for players to compete in a climate-controlled environment without sacrificing comfort or intensity.
With top-tier venues, thoughtful amenities, and a strong sense of community, the 2025 spring and summer seasons promise an unforgettable experience for players across the country.
In closing, there are some important announcements to be made:
1) The USTA has announced a new event to be held at the USTA Campus in Orlando, FL. This event has been in the works for a couple of years. It will be the "2025 Masters Championships (30s-55s)" and "2025 Masters Championships (60s-95s)".
· Here is what we know: This will be a USTA L2 and ITF MT700 (ITF Closed so only US players can play).
· December 18-21 at the USTA National Campus (30s-55s on hard, 60s-95s on clay)
·Top 8 entries on the USTA National Standings List (NSL ) as of the entry close date will be selected,
· Entries won't open until this summer as the USTA wants to be able to list the amenities prior to entries opening.
2) There is an opportunity for players to play in an ITF World Individual Championship ages 60-70 in Palm Beach Gardens. USTA members considering registering for the ITF Masters Tour World Individual Championships 60s and ITF Masters Tour World Individual Championships 65s and 70s in Palm Beach Gardens should review the fact sheets attached here:
Players will need to enter directly through the ITF site. Also, all U.S. players will get USTA Level 1 points since this is an MT1000 on US soil.
Play well, be safe, stay healthy and enjoy the Spring season!
Steve Duffel, President
National Men’s Tennis Association
