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How can bonus cards be used?

To make the matchups even more exciting, we’re introducing a bonus card.  Each player can decide to use this bonus card once per quarter, during the regular time only. The “Next point counts x3” effect applies only for the player who uses the card. And only for the very next point.

How does sudden death work?

Each player serves one point in turn. The first player to win two consecutive points wins the match.

How has UTS reinvented the relationship between fans and players?

UTS aims at redefining the relationship between fans and players during matches. Each player is equipped with a headset during the changeover so that he can talk to his coach, his fans, and answer questions from an interviewer.

Moreover players can talk to each other during the match, except during the points. They are allowed to say anything, except insults and name-calling. Finally, fans can express themselves during the match, even during the points. No more silence, let’s make some noise to support UTS Players!

How is an event scheduled?

UTS events (Regular Events & Grand Final)  will follow a typical schedule plan over the three days of competition:

  • Friday: 6 round robin matches, featuring all 8 players 
  • Saturday: 6 round robin matches, featuring all 8 players
  • Sunday: 2 semi-final matches followed by the final

How will UTS stand out from traditional tennis events?

UTS is looking to take a step back from the traditional tennis experience and engage fans differently. UTS will present more than just tennis matches; it will present showdowns. Adapted for younger generations, UTS will create a virtual show inspired by e-sport.

Through an interactive format, fans will inevitably feel closer and connected to tennis stars and experience heightened emotions. Viewers will hear conversations between the players and their coaches, as on-court and video coaching will be allowed. With a lightened code of conduct, and a more laid-back and playful atmosphere, players will carry themselves more freely on-court and show their true personality. UTS will focus on profiling players with behind-the-scenes shots and exciting storytelling.

The format includes:

  • Fast-paced and intense matches composed of 4 quarters of 8 minutes each
  • Live coaching allowed and livestreamed to the fans
  • Mid-match interviews to get inside of the players’ mind, right on the moment
  • An emphasis on strategy with the introduction UTS cards
  • Suspense until the last second with decisive points and sudden deaths
  • A lightened code of conduct
  • Although there will be a stronger emphasis on entertainment, UTS remains a serious competition, not an exhibition.

Overall, it’s undeniable that UTS distinguishes itself as the fresh and thrilling league of tennis.

Is coaching allowed in UTS?

Yes, coaching is allowed and actively encouraged. Each player has a coach on their court-side bench and be coached at any time during the match, as often as they choose.

Is coaching authorized?

Coaches will be on the player’s bench all match long and will be allowed to coach at any time during the match, except during the point. As coaches are equipped with microphones,  all coach-player interactions must be conducted in English otherwise the player receives a point penalty.

Latest news about UTS’ draw

Once the 8 players are revealed the draw can be made. The 8 players are then placed in two separate groups of 4 and hope to qualify for the final 4.

Who are the previous winners of the UTS?

UTS1: Matteo Berrettini (2020)
UTS2: Alexander Zverev (2020)
UTS3: Alex de Minaur (2020)
UTS4: Corentin Moutet (2021)

Women: Anastasia Pavyluchenkova (2021)

What are the rules of a quarter?

Each quarter lasts 8 minutes of regular time + quarter points at the end. During the 8 minutes of regular time, players score as many points as possible (with a tie-break counting style).

At the end of the 8 minutes, quarter points are played, and the leader has an advantage: he must only score one more point to win the quarter.

On the other hand, the challenger can try to fight back: he must draw level without losing a single point. If he manages to do so, a deciding point is played to award the quarter.

Example: after 8 minutes, player A leads by 13-9… then the first player to 14 wins the quarter.

If regular time expires on a tie, a deciding point is immediately played to award the quarter.

What is the “Why” behind the UTS?

“UTS aims to appeal to a younger, more engaged new generation of fans to grow its fanbase community” – Patrick Mouratoglou. As the average tennis fan is 61 years old, and that number is increasing each year, tennis is currently in a danger zone.

As a sport, whether practiced or consumed, tennis fails to renew its fan base and appeal to younger generations. Why? First, modern-day tennis lacks emotion and diversity. Due in part to the evolution of the code of conduct, which has become increasingly rigid over the years, players have been forced to polish their personalities and fit into a specific mold that the sport has created.

As a result, there are currently no McEnroe or Connors, which are players that truly share their personality and emotions with the fans and that the fans, in return, can genuinely relate to. Second, there is a lack of modernity in the sport.

Tennis has stagnated for over 40 years, sticking to the same rules and traditions. It has failed to adapt to a changing reality and to appeal to new generations who completely stand out from previous ones.

New generations, for instance, don’t want to sit still in silence for 3 hours to watch a tennis match; they want faster, more intense, and ready-to-consume content. There is an urgent need to reinvent how tennis is played, watched, and consumed.

What is the UTS Race Ranking?

The UTS League is composed of 2 types of events : Regular Events and 1 Grand Final.

The UTS League has its own “UTS Race Ranking” system based on each Regular Event’s results.

After each of the Regular Events, the following points are distributed to the players, and the UTS Race Ranking is updated.

Winner20 points
Finalist15 points
Semi-finalist11 points
Eliminated in Round Robin with 2 victories8 points
Eliminated in Round Robin with 1 victory6 points
Eliminated in Round Robin with no victory4 points
Extra point : All Stars Skills Challenge victory1 point

This ranking will be used as one way to determine the players that are qualified for the UTS Grand Final.

What is the UTS Grand Final and how to qualify ?

The last event of the league is the “Grand Final event” where the winner is crowned “UTS WORLD Champion”. 8 players are competing for this title. There are three ways to qualify for the UTS Grand Final :

  • – Winning a regular event : Each Winner is directly qualified
  • – UTS Race ranking qualification : top 3 players in the race ranking (excluding winners of UTS Events)
  • – At least 2 wild cards will be distributed

What is UTS’s ambition?

UTS aims to build a long-term, international league of showdown series events that will offer an alternative to traditional tours. Eventually, events will take place all over the world. UTS is not designed to be a one-time hit; If UTS is a movie, we mean to make it a saga. Or think of it as Netflix’s next binge-worthy TV show.

On a deeper level, the goal of UTS is to bring new generations and other sports fans to discover and appreciate tennis to grow and solidify the tennis fan base.

Which top players have played UTS in the past?

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Richard Gasquet are among those to have taken part in previous editions.