In the Trenches: A Bright Spot in a Changing Tennis Landscape

The tennis industry has always been in a constant state of change. Some of that change has been positive; some of it, as readers have seen in my previous columns—as well as in Rich’s editorials and Gary’s commentary—reflects missed opportunities by our National Governing Bodies.

But over the past several years, there has been one undeniable bright spot in the professional tennis landscape: the Universal Tennis Rating Pro Tennis Tour (UTR PTT).

A System the Pro Game Has Needed for Years

For decades, the need was clear—more tournaments, more matches, and more sustainable pathways for professional players. Traditionally, aspiring pros were forced to travel long distances at great personal expense, often to play a single match. Lose early, and you’re done—sometimes after weeks of preparation and thousands of dollars spent.

Unless a player came from a well-resourced family, the math simply didn’t work. Many players found themselves spending far more than they earned, accumulating debt, and eventually leaving the sport—not because of lack of talent, but because of lack of opportunity.

How UTR PTT Changed the Equation

The UTR Pro Tennis Tour addressed these issues head-on. One of its most important features is that players typically compete in a minimum of five to six matches per event, regardless of early results. That alone changes everything.

• Players gain more match play

• Earnings become more consistent

• Development accelerates through repetition and competition

• Travel becomes more efficient with regionalized events

Over the past five years, UTR PTT has dramatically reshaped the professional landscape, providing players with a realistic chance to compete, improve, and sustain their careers.

Global Growth and Competitive Opportunity

Each year, UTR PTT continues to expand, adding events across the globe. This growth doesn’t just benefit players—it benefits clubs, communities, fans, and the sport itself. More tournaments mean more visibility for international talent and more opportunities for the public to experience high-level tennis in person.

Visibility matters, especially at the developmental professional level. In recent years, the ITF has shifted its live streaming priorities—no longer consistently streaming $15K events or women’s $35K tournaments, while continuing to livestream men’s $35K events. That change has reduced exposure for many aspiring professionals, particularly on the women’s side.

One of the strengths of the UTR Pro Tennis Tour is its commitment to equitable visibility. UTR PTT livestreams matches across both the men’s and women’s tours, providing equal access and exposure regardless of gender. And if fans can’t watch live, all matches are available on Amazon Prime, including on-demand viewing after tournament play concludes.

This accessibility is invaluable—not only for fans, but for families, coaches, and scouts who want to follow players’ progress consistently. In an era where exposure plays a critical role in development and opportunity, UTR PTT has created a platform that supports players—and the sport—more evenly and effectively.

The 2025 PTT Tour Card Point Race

In 2025, UTR PTT took another major step forward by introducing the PTT Tour Card point race, complete with a meaningful bonus pool for top performers. Players from around the world competed throughout the season for the coveted No. 1 ranking.

At season’s end, the top performers were Maciej Rajski on the men’s side and Veronika Miroshnichenko on the women’s side—both of whom currently call Southern California home.

The race rewarded consistency, using each player’s top eight tournament results, with ties broken by UTR rating. On the women’s side, both Veronika Miroshnichenko and Kaylah McPhee (Australia) captured eight tournament victories. Veronika ultimately claimed the top spot thanks to a 0.79 higher UTR rating, underscoring the tour’s emphasis on competitive performance across the season.

Why This Matters for the Future of Tennis

The success of UTR PTT highlights what’s possible when the industry prioritizes access, opportunity, and sustainability. More matches. More earnings. More visibility. More development.

It’s a model that supports players where they actually are—not just the few who can afford to gamble on traditional pathways. And it’s a reminder that innovation in tennis doesn’t always require reinventing the game—sometimes it just requires rethinking how we support the people who play it.

From where I stand, In the Trenches, the UTR Pro Tennis Tour represents one of the most meaningful and player-centered advancements professional tennis has seen in years. Well done!