UPDATED DEC. 4, 2017

When Broward County last year won the inaugural USTA Florida League Championship Cup, at a celebration for the sectionals-winning teams the Broward players vowed to win the Cup again in 2017, and threatened to rename it the “Broward Cup.”

Thus far in 2017 USTA League play, they’re making good on their promise.

Through early December in USTA Florida League Sectionals play, Broward leads the Cup Standings, with Duval and Hillsborough counties trailing by two titles (see full standings below).

“We love this USTA Florida League Championship Cup, this is something that really motivates the clubs and the captains and the players,” said Ismael Rosales, director of adult tennis at Midtown Athletic Club in Weston, west of Ft. Lauderdale in Broward County.

Broward Local League Coordinator Maria Miro says the key to success in Broward is clubs working together to grow the sport.

“We always had the support of the local tennis clubs and directors and our local USTA League captains are the best,” Miro says. “Each year most return, which gives us an extremely low captain turnover, which has helped build team camaraderie and dedication and a competitive edge.”

Last year Broward snuck ahead in the final month of sectionals play, and this year looks to be no different in regards to a tight race. December will determine the final standings following the final Combo 18 & Over sectionals at the USTA National Campus in Orlando.

To keep up with the latest league news go to www.ustaflorida.com and sign up for the weekly e-news under the “News” tab.

2017 USTA FLORIDA LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP CUP STANDINGS

Broward County padded its lead, while Hillsborough County moved to within striking distance of No. 1 after the Combo 18 & Over 6.5/8.5 Championships. The USTA Florida League Championship Cup is awarded to the county with the most league sectionals titles during the 2017 season (standings through Dec. 3, most recent winners in bold):

1. Broward County (8 titles) — 55&Over-M4.0/M4.5, 40&Over-W4.0/M4.0/M3.5, 18&Over-W4.0/W3.5, Combo 18&Over-W8.5

2T. Duval County (6) — 65&Over-W6.0, 55&Over-W3.0/W4.0, 18&Over-M3.0/W2.5, X18&Over-7.0
2T. Hillsborough County (6) — 65&Over-M8.0, 40&Over-W4.5+, 18&Over-W3.0/M5.0+, Combo 50&Over-M8.5, Combo 18&Over-M8.5

4T. Marion County (4) — 65&Over-M7.0, 55&Over-M3.0, Combo 50&Over-M6.5/M7.5
4T. Miami-Dade County (4) — 40&Over-W3.0/W4.5+, 18&Over-M4.0/M4.5
4T. Orange County (4) — 55&Over-W4.5, 40&Over-W3.5, 18&Over-W5.0+/M3.5

7. Pinellas County (3) — X40&Over-8.0/9.0, x18&Over-9.0

8T. Collier County (2) — 65&Over-W8.0, 55&Over-W3.5
8T. Leon County (2) — X40&Over-7.0, 40&Over-M4.0
8T. Martin County (2) — 65&Over-W7.0, Combo 50&Over-W6.5
8T. St. Johns County (2) — Combo 50&Over-W8.5, Combo 18&Over-M6.5
8T. Seminole County (2) — 18&OverW4.5, Combo 18&Over-W6.5

13T. Alachua County (1) — X18&Over-6.0
13T. Brevard County (1) — X18&Over-10.0
13T. Clay County (1) — 55&Over-M3.5
13T. Escambia County (1) — Combo 50&Over-W7.5
13T. Okaloosa County (1) — X18&Over-6.0
13T. Volusia County (1) — X40&Over-6.0

Note: County determined by location of team’s home club. Season-ending ties to be broken by teams’ 1st-4th place results at USTA League Nationals.

Next Florida Sectional Championships: Dec. 8-10, Combo 18 & Over 5.5/7.5/9.5, USTA National Campus, Orlando

Established in 1980, USTA League has grown from 13,000 participants in a few parts of the country in its first year to more than 904,000 players across the nation today, making it the world’s largest recreational tennis league. The league groups players by using six National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) levels, ranging from 2.5 (entry) to 5.0+ (advanced). USTA League is open to any USTA member 18 years of age or older.

For more information on USTA Florida Leagues go to www.ustaflorida.com/leagues.