Universal Tennis, the creator of the UTR Rating system, has expanded into pickleball, a racquet sport that is quickly growing in popularity in the US and overseas. Universal Tennis is harnessing its renowned rating expertise and event management software to offer innovative technology solutions for pickleball players, allowing them to access one home for all their pickleball and tennis needs. Universal Tennis enables everyone to unlock level-based play while developing their skills and growing their community.
Players can have a more fun, accessible, and flexible experience on the court, while providers can manage their members’ needs for pickleball lessons, leagues, matchplay, tournaments, and more using the software features that they already know and love as Universal Tennis evolves to transform both tennis and pickleball globally.
Pickleball is commonly described as a sport that is a hybrid of tennis, ping pong, and badminton, where players hit a perforated hollow plastic ball over a net using solid-faced paddles. It was invented in the 1960s on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and it has exploded in popularity over the past few years, eventually being named Washington's official state sport.
Universal Tennis' platform accommodates both sports worldwide, allowing pickleball and tennis players, coaches, and event organizers to use it for tournaments, matchplay, schedules, results, statistics, ratings and more. The app has settings to show information relating to tennis, pickleball, or both. Therefore, providers will no longer need multiple programs to run events.
The UTR Pickleball Rating (UTRP) was launched in the spring, rating players on a scale of P1 (beginner), P2 (intermediate), P3 (advanced), or P4 (expert/professional). As more pickleball players get rated using UTRP and continue playing games, Universal Tennis will continue refining the algorithm and eventually adopt a numerical-decimal rating similar to tennis for higher-level pickleball players.
Universal Tennis has partnered with the APP (Association of Pickleball Players) to collaborate in building value and support for the pickleball ecosystem using Universal Tennis’ deep experience in racquet sports ratings, event and tournament management software and solutions, and analysis to all levels of APP players and events.
Universal Tennis also hosts Pickleball Flex Leagues in many cities across the US. These are open to all players over age 16 of any skill level, with doubles and singles leagues running for five weeks for each session. Flex Leagues use the UTRP system to create level-based play ensuring competitive and fun matches.
Mark Leschly, CEO and Chairman of Universal Tennis, says: “Universal Tennis has transformed tennis with its innovative UTR Rating and software to organize and facilitate events, tournaments, camps and many other forms of fun, level-based tennis. Starting with pickleball, we have now begun our journey to expand our solutions and capabilities into other sports.”
Media contact:
Name: Ben Makarenko
Email: [email protected]
