Mobile To Host 2011 USTA League Southern Section Championships

Written by: Staff on 29th July 2011

Daniela Hantuchova versus Maria Sharapova

Mobile To Host 2011 USTA League Southern Section Championships

Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia hits a return against Maria Sharapova of Russia during the Bank of the West tennis at Stanford University in Stanford, California, USA 27 July 2011. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

MOBILE, AL – July 28, 2011 – The 2011 USTA League Southern Section Championships will host more than 1,800 tennis players aiming to be crowned USTA Southern champions and advance to the USTA League National Championships. The tournament runs July 30-Aug. 7 in Mobile, Ala.

Often called the largest tennis tournament in the world by player count, the annual competition draws more than 200 teams to compete in men’s, women’s, senior men’s and senior women’s divisions at levels from beginners to high-level teaching pros and former Division I college players.

This year’s event has drawn the champion and finalist teams from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The teams, which represent various clubs, parks, recreational departments and organizations, have finished at the top of their local leagues, advanced through state tournaments and are now vying for a chance to represent the USTA Southern at the USTA League National Championships.

Matches will be played at the Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center and the Cottage Hill Tennis Center. The Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center is the official tournament headquarters. The Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza is the host hotel.

“Every year the championships seem to grow more exciting,” explains Tournament Chairman Bonnie Vandegrift. “The experience of the sectional championships is truly incredible; eight days of intense tennis, team camaraderie and a fabulous city are sure to make for a successful event.”

This year marks the 31^th anniversary of the USTA League. Established in 1980, it has grown from 13,000 participants in a few parts of the country in its first year, to over 325,000 players across the nation today, making it the world’s largest recreational tennis program.

The USTA League was established to provide adult recreational tennis players throughout the country with the opportunity to compete against players of similar ability levels. Players participate on teams in a league format, which is administered by the USTA through its 17 Sections. The league groups players by using six National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) levels, ranging from 2.5 (entry) to 5.0 (advanced). USTA League is open to any USTA member 19 years of age or older. It features Adult and Mixed Doubles divisions, as well as a Senior Division (age 50) and a Super Senior Division (age 60).

Head Penn Racquet Sports is in its 24^st year as official ball of USTA League.

For more information about USTA League program or the USTA as a whole, visit www.usta.com.