Florida ‘Tennis on Campus’ Preview: UF, UCF Remain Teams to Beat in 2017-18

UF club president Shiv Krishnaswamy

Last season the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida club tennis teams held a death grip on the USTA Florida ‘Tennis on Campus’ schedule, winning every tournament title between the two schools.

A handful of schools will try and disrupt UF’s and UCF’s dominance as the 2017-18 season kicks off on Sept. 23, 2017 when the University of Florida hosts the UF Gatorbowl in Gainesville.

“Any college club team can participate with a minimum four players, two male and two female,” says USTA Florida ‘Tennis on Campus’ Coordinator Desirae McLaughlin.

Last season UF won five regular-season titles, and UCF three prior to the Knights stunning the Gators at the season-ending USTA Florida ‘Tennis on Campus’ Section Championships. It was UCF’s third season-ending championship victory after previous wins in 2012 and 2006. UCF, UF and the University of Miami went on to represent Florida at the USTA Tennis on Campus National Championships.

“The UF club tennis team is more than excited for the upcoming season and to continue our level of success and excellence both on and off the court,” says new UF Tennis Club President Shiv Krishnaswamy. “As always, we have a strong squad, from the very top of our ‘A’ team all the way to our ‘D’ and ‘E’ teams. We believe that this depth of skill on our roster is what serves us well year-in and year-out and we are greatly appreciative for the players who dedicate their time to this family.”

Possible disrupters this season include the University of Miami which reached three tournament finals last year, and Florida State University which was also a finalist, losing to UF on their home turf at the FSU Battle in the Capital in Tallahassee.

USTA Florida ‘Tennis on Campus’ 2017-18 Tournament Schedule:

Sept. 23 — UF Gatorbowl, Gainesville
Oct. 7 — USF Bull Run, Tampa
Oct. 28 — FSU Battle in the Capital, Tallahassee
Nov. 4 — UCF Knightro Cup, Orlando
Nov. 11 — UM Ibis Open, Coral Gables
Jan. 20 — FGCU Dirty Bird Classic, Ft. Myers
Feb. 17 — Delray Beach Open ‘Tennis On Campus’ Challenge, Delray Beach
Feb. 24 — USTA Florida Tennis on Campus Section Championships

The Feb. 17 Delray Beach Open ‘Tennis On Campus’ Challenge remains the only Tennis on Campus event held in conjunction with an ATP World Tour tournament.

About USTA Tennis On Campus
The USTA’s Tennis On Campus program is designed to provide college students with opportunities for team camaraderie, social networking, and rivaled competition through tennis without the rigors of a NCAA varsity program. Tennis on Campus offers fun co-ed team-based play (using the World TeamTennis scoring format), regional and national championship competition, and helps students maintain active and healthy lifestyles through their college years. Currently the program is offered on more than 500 college campuses. The USTA Tennis on Campus team format features men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles, with a minimum of two men and two women per team.

For more information on the USTA Florida Tennis on Campus series or to start a team at your school go to www.ustaflorida.com/TOC, or contact Desirae McLaughlin at toc@ustaflorida.com.