September 2025 President’s Letter
As we transition into fall, September has already proven to be a dynamic and exciting month for our tennis community. Here are three notable occasions worth celebrating and noting:
Coast to Coast Friendship Cup – A Grand Slam Success!
The inaugural Coast to Coast Friendship Cup just wrapped up at the beautiful Judy and Roger Pearce Tennis Center in Columbus, GA, and it was nothing short of a triumph! This 3-day round-robin event featured six teams across age divisions 65, 70, and 75, with each team fielding a men’s and women’s captain. The competition was intense, with participants including multiple National Gold, Silver, and Bronze Ball winners from the USTA Level 1 Championship events, as well as many Sectional, State and Local players.
Players traveled from across the U.S.—including San Francisco, Oregon, Maine, Texas, Florida, and many more—to take part. A special congratulations to the medal-winning team of Kathy Foulk and Joe Rasgado for their outstanding performance!
USTA Releases 2026 National Tournament Calendar
Just last week, the USTA announced the official 2026 schedule for National Level 1, 2, and 3 tournaments.
To help our members plan ahead, the NMTA is preparing a user-friendly table view grid that will be available soon on our website: www.nsmta.net. This tool will make it easy to see key tournament dates and direct registration links in one place.
Important Note: Be sure to check for location changes. For example, the Atlanta Senior Invitational (ASI) will be moving from its traditional home in Atlanta to Columbus, GA in 2026 due to clubhouse renovations. The event will be held at the Judy and Roger Pearce Tennis Center.
Raising the Bar: A New Tournament Directors Handbook
The NMTA, in partnership with the NWTO and the USTA Adult Competition Committee, is taking a significant step toward improving the quality and consistency of national events. Together, we are developing a Tournament Directors Handbook to establish and uphold high standards for all Level 1, 2, and 3 National Championships.
Our shared mission is clear:
✔️ Protect the integrity of these prestigious tournaments
✔️ Ensure a consistent and exceptional experience for all players
By standardizing key areas — including facilities, officiating, player communication, and amenities — we aim to make each event worthy of the time, effort, and resources players dedicate to compete at the highest level. These improvements are designed to enhance not just the tournament atmosphere, but the competitive prestige these championships deserve.
REMINDER: USTA Men’s Intersectional – Keith Donoff Cup
Just a reminder to all players and USTA Sections:
🗓️ The deadline to register for the USTA Men’s Intersectional, playing for the Keith Donoff Cup, is October 15th.
Don’t delay — get your teams and entries in on time!
Stay engaged, stay competitive, and thank you for being part of a community that continues to elevate the game for all.
Steve Duffel, President
National Men’s Tennis Association
