The USTA National Campus, located at Lake Nona in Orlando, Fla., serves as the new “Home of American Tennis.” The groundbreaking facility is designed to enhance the sport at every level and create an unparalleled playing, training, coaching and educational experience for recreational players, competitive players, coaches and spectators. More than 100 international, national and local events and tournaments already are scheduled at the world-class facility in 2017. 

 

This Week at the Home of American Tennis

 

COLLEGE MATCHDAY

No. 2 North Carolina vs. No. 13 Texas Tech (women) on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.

The USTA will be showcasing many of the country’s top college tennis programs and players as part of the 2017 College MatchDay series at the USTA National Campus. All six College MatchDays held at the National Campus’ 1,200-seat collegiate stadium will be streamed live on ESPN3 through WatchESPN and the ESPN app, including the Top 15 showdown between No. 2 North Carolina and No. 12 Texas Tech (women) on Friday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. ET.

 

Admission is free for each College MatchDay, which will also feature a free kids’ clinic, live music, specialty food and drinks, games and giveaways on-site at the National Campus, which features the first, off-campus stadium built specifically for college tennis. Gates open for the pre-match festivities at 4 p.m.

 

COLLEGIATE TENNIS

UCF vs. FAMU (women) on Feb. 3 at 1 p.m.; vs. Georgia Southern (women) on Feb. 5 at noon

The collegiate complex at the USTA National Campus will be swarming with activity this weekend as the University of Central Florida women’s team hosts two home matches, against Florida A&M on Friday and versus Georgia Southern on Sunday. The National Campus, which serves as the home for the UCF men’s and women’s programs, will host approximately 300 collegiate matches this year.

 

Week in Review

All eyes in Lake Nona last week were trained on Melbourne, following a number of notable American performances at the Australian Open. Four of the five finals in the year’s first Grand Slam featured at least one American, highlighted by an all-American women’s singles final that saw Serena top older sister Venus to win her record 23rd Grand Slam singles title.

 

All three doubles finals featured at least one American as well: World No. 1 Bethanie Mattek-Sands won the women’s doubles final along with partner Lucie Safarova (CZE); Abigail Spears won her first career Grand Slam title, taking the mixed doubles crown with partner Juan-Sebastian Cabal (COL); and the Bryan Brothers, who have spent time training at the USTA National Campus, fell short of their record-tying 17th Grand Slam men’s doubles title, losing in the final. Wheelchair tennis also saw an American raise a trophy as David Wagner partnered with Andy Lapthorne (GBR) to win the quad doubles title.

 

In junior action, American Carson Branstine and Bianca Andreescu (CAN) took the title in the girls’ doubles. Wheelchair tennis also saw an American raise a trophy as David Wagner partnered with Andy Lapthorne (GBR) to win the quad doubles title.​ 

 

Programming Spotlight

 

YOUTH PROGRAM OF THE WEEK

Orange Ball Club

The Orange Ball Club is for players who are transitioning from the Red Ball experience and ready to play on the 60-foot court. Players will continue to build athletic skills. Tennis activities and games will focus on developing ground-stroke consistency, serve direction and transitioning to the net. Register here.

 

The red, orange, green dot and yellow ball approach helps players more easily learn the fundamentals of tennis, better develop skills, and improve faster than before. Appropriate equipment and court sizes are utilized according to skill level, which means kids across the country feel successful in the sport from the start. Players are encouraged to develop at their own pace, moving on to the next ball and court size when they are ready.

 

ADULT PROGRAM OF THE WEEK

Live Ball

Live Ball is a fun and energetic hour of pro-led, doubles-style point play. The serve, return and “down time” in between points have been removed, amping up the energy and fun! Come join us for live ball play and a continuous focus on moving from defense to offense. Registerhere.

 

Team USA

 

DAVIS CUP

The United States David Cup team, led by Orlando-based captain Jim Courier, travels to Birmingham, Ala., this week to take on Switzerland in the 2017 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group First Round. The U.S. will be represented by world No. 20 Jack Sock, No. 23 John Isner, No. 27 Sam Querrey and No. 31 Steve Johnson. The tie will take place Feb. 3-5at the Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

 

In addition to the Davis Cup tie, the lead-up week will include a Junior Boys Camp as well as other community events. The camp will be run by Jon Glover, a national coach with USTA Player Development based out of the National Campus. There will also be a "Learning Excellence Through Tennis” event at a local elementary school as well as a clinic for local pros and coaches.