Broward County Tennis Repeats as USTA Florida League Championship Cup Winner

Broward County team captains raising the Cup for the first time in 2016

Broward County is again the tennis capital of Florida.

Five tennis clubs from Broward combined for eight USTA Florida League state titles in 2017, claiming the USTA Florida League Championship Cup for the second time in as many years. The Cup is awarded each year to the team winning the most USTA Florida League Sectionals (state) titles.

Encompassing the Ft. Lauderdale area north to Deerfield Beach, south to Hallendale Beach, and west to Weston, Broward County edged Duval County (Jacksonville), which finished one behind with seven state titles.

“We are truly lucky in Broward that so many competitive players, at all levels, choose to play tennis in the area,” says USTA Florida Local League Coordinator for the Broward/North Miami regions Maria Miro. “That and a number of strong clubs and local facilities produce our winning teams.”

Broward’s balanced success in 2017 saw them win four men’s and four women’s titles spanning the 18 & Over, Combo 18 & Over, 40 & Over, and 55 & Over USTA League age divisions.

The eight Broward County sectionals championship teams hailed from:

* Dillon Tennis Center, Oakland Park (18 & Over women’s 4.0, 40 & Over women’s 4.0)
* Frank Veltri Tennis Center, Plantation (Combo women’s 6.5)
* Midtown Athletic Club, Weston (18 & Over women’s 3.5)
* Quigley Park, Parkland (40 & Over men’s 4.0, 55 & Over men’s 4.0/4.5)
* Weston Tennis Center, Weston (40 & Over men’s 3.5)

Close behind Broward’s eight titles were Duval County with seven, and Hillsborough County with six (see full standings below). In 2016 Broward needed only six titles to claim the Cup, one ahead of both Orange and Pinellas counties in second place that year.

The USTA Florida League Championship Cup will be presented to the winning teams and players at a ceremony in February 2018 in Broward County. Each team will then receive the Cup for one week, after which the Cup will be displayed at the USTA Florida headquarters in Orlando.

“The Broward tennis community has really embraced the USTA Florida League Champion Cup competition, and all of their teams have really worked hard,” said USTA Florida Director of Leagues Christine Ducey. “They were laser-focused to ensure a second year of having the Cup celebration and Cup tour. The tennis community really came together to win again this year. Congratulations to all Broward tennis for their second win, to Duval County with their seven sectional titles, and to Hillsborough County with their six sectional titles. All these great tennis communities should be commended for their efforts.”

2017 USTA FLORIDA LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP CUP FINAL STANDINGS

1. Broward County (8 titles) — 55&Over-M4.0/M4.5, 40&Over-W4.0/M4.0/M3.5, 18&Over-W4.0/W3.5, Combo 18&Over-W8.5

2. Duval County (7) — 65&Over-W6.0, 55&Over-W3.0/W4.0, 18&Over-M3.0/W2.5, X18&Over-7.0, Combo 18&Over-W5.5

3. Hillsborough County (6) — 65&Over-M8.0, 40&Over-W4.5+, 18&Over-W3.0/M5.0+, Combo 50&Over-M8.5, Combo 18&Over-M8.5

4T. Marion County (4) — 65&Over-M7.0, 55&Over-M3.0, Combo 50&Over-M6.5/M7.5
4T. Miami-Dade County (4) — 40&Over-W3.0/W4.5+, 18&Over-M4.0/M4.5
4T. Orange County (4) — 55&Over-W4.5, 40&Over-W3.5, 18&Over-W5.0+/M3.5
4T. Pinellas County (4) — X40&Over-8.0/9.0, x18&Over-9.0, Combo 18&Over-W9.5

8T. Leon County (3) — X40&Over-7.0, 40&Over-M4.0, Combo 18&Over-M5.5
8T. Seminole County (3) — 18&OverW4.5, Combo 18&Over-W6.5, Combo 18&Over-W7.5

10T. Collier County (2) — 65&Over-W8.0, 55&Over-W3.5
10T. Martin County (2) — 65&Over-W7.0, Combo 50&Over-W6.5
10T. St. Johns County (2) — Combo 50&Over-W8.5, Combo 18&Over-M6.5

13T. Alachua County (1) — X18&Over-6.0
13T. Brevard County (1) — X18&Over-10.0
13T. Clay County (1) — 55&Over-M3.5
13T. Escambia County (1) — Combo 50&Over-W7.5
13T. Okaloosa County (1) — X18&Over-6.0
13T. Polk County (1) — Combo 18&Over-M7.5
13T. Volusia County (1) — X40&Over-6.0

Established in 1980, USTA League has grown from 13,000 participants in a few parts of the country in its first year to more than 904,000 players across the nation today, making it the world’s largest recreational tennis league. 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 18 years of age or older.

For more information on USTA Florida Leagues go to www.ustaflorida.com/leagues.