Utah Tennis Association

The UTA saw an enormous increase in the desire for people to play tennis in 2022, with the National US seeing 4 million new players to the sport. In Utah, we continued to have increased participation in all of our programming, particularly in league play.The UTA offered 14 leagues for adult participation, with record numbers of players during the year. Youth competition was able to recover to pre-COVID numbers, as the state hosted approximately 70 tournaments for ranking. In addition, our UTA office greatly increased offerings for the less competitive, more recreational junior player. Junior Circuit opportunities short format competitions were sold out during the year. 10 & Under programming became more robust with a clear pathway designed for our youngest players. Outreach programs such as New to Tennis and Young Adult Socials proved highly desirable with demand exceeding current staff ability to offer programs. In addition, the UTA began to offer the complementary racquet sport of pickleball to the Utah public. Both adult and junior programs such as tournaments and leagues were created in a pilot program scenario to gauge public interest.Traditional tournaments such as the Utah State Open, the Ice Breaker and the Of Love were highly popular.Outreach to communities across the state could begin again with COVID lessening and travel to outlying areas becoming a possibility again. Support to these communities is an important part of the UTA mission to grow the game of tennis in our state.