Missouri Valley

USTA Missouri Valley Tennis History



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Historical Timeline

 

2023:

  • USTA Missouri Valley is named Racquet Sports Industry Magazine's 2023 USTA Section of the year.
  • Emerey Gross from USTA St. Louis receives the 2023 Bill Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Award from USTA National.
  • Nathan Turtledove is named the winner of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Ann Lebedeff Leadership Award for his continued service to college tennis.
  • Wilbur Jones of Shawnee, Kan. helps his 85 & Over team win the gold medal at the ITF World Team Championships.

 

2022:

  • Nick Taylor of Wichita, Kansas receives the Brad Parks Award for his outstanding contribution to helping grow wheelchair tennis at the local level. Taylor was honored during the USTA Annual Meeting.
  • Edmond Center Court in Edmond, Okla., and Quad Cities Tennis Club in Moline, Ill. both receive 2022 USTA Outstanding Facility Awards.
  • Lily Lautenschlager of Lincoln, Neb. participates in her first BNP Paribas World Team Cup.
  • Madison Keys wins the Adelaide International 2 for her sixth career WTA singles title.

 

2021:

  • Jodie Adams of Springfield, Missouri, receives the Barbara Williams Service Award. It recognizes a female volunteer who, through her leadership and by her example, has encouraged and inspired others to become volunteers and assume leadership roles at the community, section and/or national levels of the USTA.
  • Nick Taylor announces his retirement from professional tennis following the UNIQLO Wheelchair Masters Doubles event in Orlando, Fla. at the USTA National Campus. Taylor is an 11-time Grand Slam champion, five-time Paralympic medalist, and has 11 titles at the Doubles Masters with David Wagner. Taylor ended his career with a total of 813 wins combined in singles (383) and doubles (430).
  • Marshalltown Court Complex in Marshalltown, Iowa wins a Facility of the Year for Educational Institutions Award.
  • An 18 & Over 4.5 Men's team from USTA Heart of America, captained by Rory Ramsdell, wins USTA League Nationals.

 

2020:

  • Casey Ratzlaff plays in his first ever US Open
  • Global pandemic gives USTA Missouri Valley the chance to get creative with introducing Tennis at Home
  • USTA Missouri Valley celebrates its 100th Anniversary. The yearlong celebration featured the distribution of $100,000 in community grants to grow local tennis. 
  • The David & Lisa Minihan family of Edmond, Oklahoma, are the winners of the 2020 Ralph W. Westcott USTA Family of the Year Award. The annual award is presented to a family that volunteers its time to promote amateur tennis, emphasizing the theme that tennis is a family game.

 

2019:

  • Nick Taylor teams up with David Wagner to win the quad doubles championship at USTA US Open Wheelchair in St. Louis, Missouri.
  • Springfield Lasers win back to back World TeamTennis championships, bringing the King Cup to Springfield for the second time in franchise history.
  • Casey Ratzlaff of Wichita, Kan. brings home a silver medal in men's doubles at the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru.

 

2018:

  • Jack Sock teams up with Mike Bryan to win the Wimbledon gentlemen’s doubles title, and the US Open men’s doubles title.
  • An 18 & over 4.0 women’s team from Topeka, Kansas captained by Michelle Bettis finished second at the USTA League National Championships.
  • Springfield Lasers win the World TeamTennis championship, bringing the King Cup to Springfield for the first time in franchise history.
  • Three teams won USTA League Mixed Doubles National Champiohips. An 8.0 40 & Over team from Des Moines, 9.0 40 & Over team from Tulsa, and an 8.0 18 & Over team from Omaha all won national titles. 
  • Oklahoma City Tennis Center named USTA Outstanding Facility of the Year.

 

2017:

  • The Heart of America 18 & Over 4.0 team captained by Romy Carlson wins the USTA League National Championship. The St. Louis 18 & Over 2.5 team captained by Britney Coffey was also named National Co-Champions.
  • Jack Sock wins the Paris Masters 1000, earning a spot in the ATP World Finals in London.
  • Rock Island, Ill. native Madison Keys finishes as runner-up at the US Open to Sloane Stephens.

 

2016:

  • Tennis Industry Magazine names USTA Missouri Valley as its Section of the Year
  • A Junior Team Tennis squad from Oklahoma City, Okla., finishes second at the USTA Junior Team Tennis 18U Intermediate National Championships. 
  • A USTA League team from Tulsa, Okla., captained by Tom Lydy finishes second at the USTA League Adult 55 & Over 6.0 National Championships.
  • Nick Taylor of Wichita, Kan., earns a silver medal in the Paralympics in the Quad division of wheelchair tennis. Jack Sock also earns a gold medal in mixed doubles at the Olympics with partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and a bronze medal in doubles with partner Steve Johnson.
  • Charles Taylor, 17, of Park City, Kan., was selected as one of 10 winners of the 18th annual NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest. 
  • Barbara Fackel of Rock Island, Ill., named the prestigious USTA Barbara Williams Service Award recipient.

 

2015:

  • John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick and James Blake play in the Champions Cup Presented by Woods Park in Lincoln, Neb., at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
  • Nathan Han of Tulsa, Okla., wins the USTA Boys' 14s National Championship.
  • The Springfield Lasers of World Team Tennis celebrate its 20th season in 2015.
  • The 18 & Over, 4.5 women's team from Edmond, Okla., captained by Nina Loeffler and Nicky Glover win its USTA League National Championship.
  • Jack Sock from Lincoln, Neb., wins his first ATP Tour title at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston. He also sealed the United States' Davis Cup victory over Uzbekistan.

 

2014: 

  • Lincoln, Neb.-native Jack Sock wins the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s doubles title with partner Vasek Pospisil over Mike and Bob Bryan. It’s Sock’s second grand slam title.
  • The USTA announces its plans for a new tennis facility in Lake Nona, Fla. The facility will have over 100 courts and will house the USTA’s Community Tennis and Player Development divisions. It will also have a collegiate tennis area and high performance and player development area.
  • St. Louis hosts a Fed Cup World Group Play-off match between the U.S. and France at Chaifetz Arena. The U.S. team, which included Rock Island, Ill.-native Madison Keys, was defeated 3-2. As a part of the Fed Cup, a community event is held at the Dwight Davis Memorial Tennis Center in which nearly 200 children attend a free clinic. The USTA also provided a grant to re-surface the stadium court at Dwight Davis as part of a Fed Cup Legacy program.
  • John McEnore, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier and Michael Chang play in the Champions Showdown at the Sprint Center in Kansas City as part of the PowerShares Series Tennis circuit.
  • A new USTA logo incorporating the flaming ball design is implemented for all levels of USTA Missouri Valley.

 

2013:

  • A Junior Tennis Team from Oklahoma City captures the USTA Junior Team Tennis 18U Intermediate National Championship.
  • Jack Sock of Lincoln, Nebraska, returned home fro the dedication of new courts at Irvingdale Park in Lincoln. The courts were refurbished thanks to the Fresh Courts program, a partnership between the USTA and American Express. The park includes two full 70-foot courts, and two 36-foot courts.
  • Nick Taylor and his long-time doubles partner, David Wagner, notched their fourth Australian Open Grand Slam doubles title, January 25, in Melbourne.

 

2012

  • The USTA implements new rules governing competition for 10-and-Under tennis tournaments.
  • USTA Missouri Valley membership surpasses 24,000 in the first month of the year.
  • USTA membership for one year increases to $20 juniors, $44 adults, $72 families.
  • Nick Taylor competes at the London Paralympic Games and wins a gold in quad doubles with partner David Wagner - their third consecutive Paralympic gold. He also won his first singles medal, bronze. The team is named by the USOC as the 2011-12 Parlympic Team of the Year.

 

2011

  • Nick Taylor, Wichita, Kansas, competes in 2011 World Team Cup in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Jack Sock of Lincoln, Nebraska, wins the US Open mixed doubles championship with Melanie Oudin.
  • Free USTA memberships are offered for the first time to new members 10 and under.
  • This was the last year the St. Louis Aces competed in World TeamTennis. 

 

2010

  • Kansas City Explorers win World TeamTennis National Championship title in Kansas City. The championships were also played at the Explorers home court at Barney Allis Plaza.
  • Jack Sock, Lincoln, Nebraska, wins U.S. Open Junior Boys title and USTA Boys 18 National Championship in Kalamazoo.
  • USTA Missouri Valley membership surpasses 23,000.

 

2009    

  • Independence, Kansas, is selected as a top three finalist in the USTA’s search for America’s "Best Tennis Town." Springfield, Missouri is awarded honorable mention
  • Nick Taylor wins quad doubles title at the US Open and Australian Open
  • USTA US Open Wheelchair Championships move to St. Louis

 

2008

  • USTA Missouri Valley moves its offices to 6400 W. 95th Street in Overland Park, Kansas.
  • Tulsa’s Michael Case Tennis Center is the site of NCAA Division I Tennis Championships.
  • The Oklahoma 9.0 mixed doubles team captured a national title at the USTA National Western Mixed Doubles Championships.
  • Nick Taylor wins quad doubles title at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China.

 

2007

  • Cameron Hubbs (Omaha, Nebraska) caps a perfect 167-0 high school career and is featured in Sports Illustrated.
  • Travis Helgeson (Overland Park, Kansas) and Amanda Craddock (St. Louis) are part of NCAA Championship teams.
  • Kevin Green, St. Louis, wins singles and doubles titles at USTA/ITA National Collegiate Wheelchair Championships.

 

2006     

  • A new USTA logo incorporating a shield design is implemented for all levels of USTA Missouri Valley.
  • Oklahoma City Tennis Center and Columbia, Mo. given $100,000 grants to refurbish public facilities.
  • Springfield Lasers capture first annual USTA Missouri Valley/WTT “Show-Me” Cup.

 

2005

  • St. Louis hosts first-ever Tennis Block Party and USTA Missouri Valley Tennis on Campus Championships at Dwight Davis Tennis Center
  • Juniors Colleen Rielley (Girls 18’s) and Jack Sock (Boys 12’s) ranked No. 1 in nation

 

2004 

  • The section offices are moved to 8676 W. 96th Street in Overland Park, Kansas.  
  • National Indian Tennis Championships were held at Oklahoma City Tennis Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • Nick Taylor wins quad doubles title at Paralympics in Athens, Greece.

 

2003

  • Mervyn Webster, Wichita, Kansas, leads Team USA over Great Britain at the Maureen Connolly Challenge
  • USTA Missouri Valley Section, Missouri Valley Tennis Foundation and Miracle Match Foundation host charity tennis event that features John McEnroe and Mats Wilander in Tulsa, Ok.

 

2002    

  • Davis Cup is held in Oklahoma City: USA 5, Slovak Republic 0
  • Fed Cup held in Springfield, Missouri at Cooper Tennis Complex: USA 5, Isreal 0

 

2001

  • Missouri Valley captures its second consecutive title at the Billie Jean King World Team Tennis Championships, in San Diego, Ca.
  • 4.5 Senior Men (Heart of America) capture the USA League Tennis National Championships in San Diego, Ca.

 

2000

  • 8.0 and 9.0 Mixed League (Heart of America) team captures 1st place at USA League Tennis National Championships in Tucson, Arizona.

 

1998

  • The section implements a new website with information regarding tournaments, news, schedules, rankings and more.
  • Missouri Valley Section sends four (4) Junior Players (including Jenny Hopkins) to participate on the 1998 Team USA.

 

1997

  • USTA and the USTA Missouri Valley publishes 5-year Strategic Plan focusing on the USA Tennis 'Plan For Growth' initiative.
  • D. A. Abrams becomes the first African American to serve as the executive director of a USTA section office by becoming the USTA Missouri Valley executive director.

 

1996

  • First year of the “Tennis In The Hood” program brings tennis into the inner-city.
  • USTA St. Louis opens its office.

 

1994

  • MVTA moves offices to location at 8th & Walnut Streets in Kansas City, MO
  • 2nd Annual Branson Celebrity Tennis Classic held at Cooper Tennis Club featuring celebrities such as Andy Williams, Tony Orlando, Yakov Smirnoff, Pat Boone, Bob Eubanks and the Oak Ridge Boys
  • MVTA's Mervyn Webster coaches Lori McNeil to a 1st Round victory over Stefi Graf at Wimbledon

 

1993

  • Kansas City Explorers franchise added to World Team Tennis

 

1991

  • Davis Cup held in Kansas City at Kemper Arena: USA 3, Germany 2

 

1987

  • Len Prosser inducted into the Greater Kansas City Amateur Sports Hall of Champions

 

1986/1985

  • MVTA Section office moves from Des Moines, Iowa to Kansas City, Missouri.

 

1984

  • Junior Novice Tournament Circuit and Play within Districts instituted

 

1983

  • A total of 105 tournaments held in section
  • Buff Farrow wins Sportsmanship Award in the Boys 16's at the Junior Nationals in Kalamazoo, MI
  • Fritz Bissell of Des Moines, Iowa attains #1 MVTA and #1 USTA National Ranking

 

1982

  • Davis Cup held in St. Louis, MO at the Checker Dome: USA 3, Sweden 2

 

1978

  • Wilbur "Junior" Coen and Alex George inducted into the Greater Kansas City Amateur Sports Hall of Champions

 

1976

  • WCT World Doubles Championships held at Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium

 

1972

  • St. Louis produces Junior Champions in seven (7) of the eight (8) divisions at the Annual Junior Championships
  • Yellow tennis balls approved on a trial basis by USLTA

 

1971

  • USLTA membership fees: $8.00 - Adults; $2.00 - Juniors
  • A total of 84 tournaments held in the section

 

1970

  • MVTA membership reaches above the 2,000 mark; club membership is at 100; 75 tournaments

 

1968

  • MVTA offices are located in Des Moines, Iowa
  • World Championship Tennis, Inc. brings professional tournament to Des Moines; includes international players such as John Newcombe and Tony Roche of Australia, Cliff Drysdale of South Africa and Earl "Butch" Bucholz of St. Louis

 

1964

  • Jimmy Connors of St. Louis is ranked #3 in the country in Boys 12's division
  • Dick Gilkey wins Boys 18's Singles 'Sectional' crown; Gilkey also wins mixed doubles title against Francis Baxter and partner

 

1961

  • USLTA membership fees: $3.00 - Adults; $1.00 - Juniors
  • Arthur Ashe wins the USTA National Indoor Junior Championship while in school in St. Louis, Missouri
  • NCAA Championships held in Ames, IA at Iowa State University

 

1960/1961

  • A total of three (3) indoor tournaments planned for the entire MV Section
  • Arkansas leaves MVTA and joins the Southern section

 

1960

  • Items discussed among Valley Officers at MVTA Meeting: Publishing a Yearbook; Forming a committee to select Hall of Fame

 

1959

  • Total number of MVTA Registrations: 1,191

 

1956

  • Newton, IA boasts 70 members in the Newton Tennis Association, up from just 12 four-years earlier

 

1947

  • MVTA leads all USLTA Sections in increased memberships from the previous year (over 100% increase)

 

1946

  • Davis Cup held in St. Louis at the Triple A Club: USA 5, Philippines 0

 

1920's

1928

  • Davis Cup held in Kansas City, MO - Rockhill Tennis Club: USA 5, China 0

 

1927

  • Exhibition Match - Wilbur (Junior) Cohen vs. Helen Wills (1927 Wimbledon champ) at Rockhill Tennis Club
  • Twenty-sixth Annual MV Tennis Championships held at the Omaha Tennis Club

 

1923

  • Dwight Davis of St. Louis, MO becomes president of the USLTA
  • First-ever National Public Parks Championships held in St. Louis

 

1922

  • Arkansas joins the MVTA

 

1921

  • Kansas City area Interclub Series began

 

1920

  • MVTA (Missouri Valley Tennis Association) founded and admitted as part of the USLTA
  • James Cravens (Rockhill Tennis Club) named first MVTA president
  • Five states included in the original MVTA: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma

 

1917

  • Formation of the St. Louis Tennis Association

 

1909 

  • First Annual Missouri Valley Tennis Championships for women held at the K.C.A.C Athletic Field

 

1907 

  • Sixth Annual MV Tennis Championships held at the Kansas City Athletic Club fields (32nd & Locust) with 81 Singles Entrants it’s the largest entry in the history of the game in this section.
  • Dwight Davis establishes first 'park tennis courts' in St. Louis, MO

 

1899 

  • Dwight Davis of St. Louis, MO wins National Intercollegiate Singles Championship

 

1881    

  • A small group of tennis club members met at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City to form the world’s first national governing body for tennis: the United States National Lawn Tennis Association (later to be known as the USTA).

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