The United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southern Section introduced the USTA Southern Playoff Series this May. Eight wild cards for men and eight for women were reserved for HBCU student-athletes during each of the two Southern Colleges and University series events.
The reward for those who clinched victory in these playoff series was a golden ticket to the USTA Southern Pro Circuit $15K Tournament main draw. That outcome became a reality for four players representing three HBCUs–Tuskegee, Clark Atlanta, and Morehouse.
Courtesy hbcutennis.com
More is in store for 2024, when USTA Southern will host the tournament once again. The opportunity extends to the American-born male and female winners, finalists, and even the third-place finishers of the 2023 HBCU National Tennis Championships. They will be eligible for a wildcard entry into the 2024 Pro Circuit event, a stepping stone to a touring professional tennis career.
Cee Jai Jones, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director at USTA Southern, leads this change charge. Jones believes the Pro Circuit is not just about competition, it is about building a future. It is also about prize money, ITF World Tennis Ranking points, and in some cases, coveted ATP or WTA Ranking points.
The HBCU National Tennis Championship also provides a platform for schools to compete and emerge as national champions, both individually and as teams.
