February 2025 President’s Letter
Celebrating Seven Years of the NMTA Triple Crown: A Commitment to Growing the Sport
Seven years ago, the National Senior Men’s Tennis Association (now NMTA) was founded with the goal of elevating the Age Group tournament tennis community. One of our earliest initiatives was the creation of the NSMTA (now NMTA) Triple Crown, a program designed to boost participation in key national clay court events during the winter circuit in Florida.
The NMTA Triple Crown was crafted to encourage players to take part in three significant tournaments: Longboat Key, Emilio Sanchez, and St. Petersburg. By competing in all three events, players were rewarded with an additional player’s gift, creating an extra incentive for participation and fostering a spirit of camaraderie among competitors.
As we wrap up the registration period for the St. Pete tournament this year, we are proud to say that the success of the Triple Crown program has been clear: participation in all three events has increased significantly compared to previous years. This growth marks a major milestone in our mission to elevate the national clay courts circuit.
Looking ahead, the NMTA remains committed to supporting and expanding our NMTA non-sanctioned Masters Team Invitational Series, alongside various USTA-sanctioned events. As the tournament season unfolds, we are excited to continue our efforts in nurturing the sport and providing new opportunities for players across all levels.
As we celebrate the success of the NMTA Triple Crown, we’re also excited to announce the upcoming NMTA events in the 2025 tournament season.
The first major USTA-sanctioned event of the year will be the NMTA Masters Clay Court Championships in Columbus, GA, from April 9-13. With registration closing on March 26, we encourage players to sign up early and join us for what promises to be an exciting tournament on the clay courts.
Next up, the NMTA National Indoor Championships will take place in Memphis, TN, from July 23-27. Registration for this prestigious event closes on July 18th , and we’re looking forward to seeing top players from around the country compete indoors in this vibrant setting during the heat of the summer in a cool air-conditioned environment. https://youtu.be/Wp8nA4FBX6Y
Looking beyond 2025, the NMTA is thrilled to announce plans to launch the National Grass and National Hardcourt Championships in 2026. These new events will complete our vision for a four-surface NMTA Grand Slam, providing players with the opportunity to showcase their skills on every major surface.
At the heart of the NMTA is our goal to provide an enhanced player experience in a competitive environment. While tournaments remain our core focus, we also prioritize supporting charities linked to these events and the communities they are a part of.
In 2024, the NMTA proudly made donations and grants exceeding $20,000 to various causes. One of the highlights of our charitable efforts has been our support for Aceing Autism, a remarkable organization that works to recruit volunteers for their nationwide tennis clinics, helping children of all ages connect with the sport of tennis.
This year, we continue that tradition by encouraging your participation in the Palm Springs event at Mission Hills Country Club on March 7th. This special activity offers you the chance to bring joy, skills, and a sense of accomplishment to children while sharing the sport we all love. It’s an opportunity that combines fun and philanthropy, and we hope you’ll join us in making a positive impact. You can also visit their website and learn about their programs and national commitment www.aceingautism.org.
As the NMTA continues to grow, we remain committed to enhancing the competitive tennis experience for players at all levels. We look forward to seeing you on the courts this year and in the seasons to come!
Hoping everyone stays healthy, play well and hydrate!
Steve Duffel, President
National Men’s Tennis Association
