USPTA Clay Court Championships Return to Fort Myers

The second tournament in the USPTA Surface Championship series this year returns to Fort Myers, Fla., this month. The 2015 USPTA Clay Court Championships are set to begin April 30 at the Landings Yacht, Golf & Tennis Club and will run through May 3. Total prize money for the event is $10,000, and this four-day tournament is open for registration to USPTA-certified Professionals through April 22.

Featured divisions include the following categories: men's and women's open singles and doubles competition, men’s and women’s 35 singles, men's and women's 45 singles and 45 doubles, men’s 55 singles and doubles, men’s 65 singles and doubles, and mixed open and 45 doubles.

The Landings will host the Clay Court Championships for the second consecutive year, and the tournament is sponsored by Fort Myers Realty & Property Management, LLC, USPTA Florida Division and the Landings. The club is home to 13 lighted Har-Tru courts and boasts 500 active playing tennis members, but it is best known for hosting the Florida Open. The national junior tournament began in 1990 by the USTA to improve the competitiveness of America’s young tennis player on clay court surfaces. Former participants have played professionally, including Andy Roddick, Monique Viele, Levar Harper Griffith, Carly Gullickson, Amer Delic, Goran Dragicevic and Jesse Witten. The Florida Open has received recognition as the most outstanding junior tournament in the USTA/Florida Section.

As a benefit to USPTA-certified members, the surface championships provide an opportunity to play against other USPTA Professionals, showcase skills, and win prize money.  Members who play in the surface championships have the opportunity to play their way into the USPTA Master’s Invitational. The brand new event will be held at the 2015 USPTA World Conference in New Orleans. This tournament, which replaces the International Championships, gives USPTA-certified Professionals an added opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a portion of the $15,000 prize money, which is the largest amount awarded of all the USPTA tournaments.

Players receive points in both the main draw (if they win at least one match) and in consolation play (if it is offered). In consolation matches, a player or team advancing by default will receive credit for a win as long as that player or team does not default the next match. Doubles players will receive individual rankings. See the chart for points earned.

Entry deadline for the 2015 USPTA Clay Court Championships is April 22, and registration is online at www.usptaplayer.com/tournaments/799.

The USPTA Surface Championships are open to all USPTA-certified Professionals in good standing. To see the current rankings or learn more about ranking rules, sanctioned tournaments, and tournament regulations and requirements, go to uspta.com/tournaments. All tournaments are run through usptaplayer.com.

USPTA Clay Court Championships
April 30-May 3, 2015
Landings Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club
Fort Myers, FL

USPTA Grass Court Championships
May 29-31, 2015
Desert Highlands
Scottsdale, AZ

USPTA Masters Invitational
Sept. 21-23, 2015
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
New Orleans, LA

Full results for the 2015 USPTA Indoor Championships on USPTAPlayer.com.

Updated USPTA Masters Invitational Point Rankings

About USPTA: Founded in 1927, USPTA strives to raise the standards of the tennis profession while promoting greater awareness of the sport. USPTA offers nearly 70 professional benefits to its more than 15,000 members worldwide, including certification and professional development. With more than 300 days of educational opportunities throughout the year, USPTA offers the most comprehensive continuing education program in the tennis industry. For more information visit www.uspta.com, or follow us at facebook.com/USPTA.Official and @USPTA_Tennis.