The USTA National Campus’ events calendar is starting to once again fill up with a number of marquee events that have become the norm in Lake Nona.
One of those events, the USTA Collegiate Wheelchair National Championships, had its much-anticipated 20th anniversary tournament canceled in April 2020. Now, a year later, the event returns as some of the most inspiring and skilled athletes will descend upon Lake Nona on April 15-18 to once again compete for national titles.
Held in Orlando since the 2017-18 school year, the current format consists of three tiers of singles play for men’s, women’s, and quad division players, and an overall team championship.
The 2019 edition of the event featured the largest pool of competitors in its history as more and more colleges have supported adaptive sports programs. With eight schools from six USTA sections competing in 2019, the University of Alabama captured the team title. Alabama owns five national crowns, and nearly a dozen schools are represented among the event’s all-time individual winners.
The year’s field will be led by reigning champion Alabama, led by head coach Evan Enquist and former player and U.S. Paralympian Shelby Baron, who is now serving as an assistant coach. Alabama will be joined by at least six universities and potentially more, dependent upon various travel restrictions.
Clemson University and San Diego State University will be making their second appearance at the event, while three schools – Auburn University, Biola University, and the University of Michigan – will be making their Collegiate Wheelchair National Championships debut.
Wheelchair tennis has long been a staple at the USTA National Campus. In addition to hosting this event, the campus has hosted multiple major international wheelchair tennis tournaments. Additionally, the USTA’s elite wheelchair training program is incorporated into USTA Player Development, and a number of top wheelchair tennis players regularly train in Lake Nona.
The USTA’s national wheelchair tennis staff also runs the National Rollers Sponsored by OUC program, which is a free, entry-level wheelchair tennis clinic.The clinic is open to any person who has a physical disability and would like to play wheelchair tennis. All players of varying levels, disabilities, and experience are welcome. Racquets as well as specialty tennis wheelchairs are provided.
Information about the various specialty programs held at the USTA National Campus as well as information about the upcoming Collegiate Wheelchair National Championships can all be found at www.ustanationalcampus.com.
