I'm a tennis player
Don't miss out on the incredible opportunities in the USA as a tennis player! Play tennis while studying at university with a tennis scholarship
I'm a tennis player
Don't miss out on the incredible opportunities in the USA as a tennis player! Play tennis while studying at university with a tennis scholarship
I am a tennis player
Become a tennis student-athlete in the US or Canada.
Take advantage of the college tennis system and lucrative sports scholarships to take your game to the next level.
TENNIS
TENNIS
Keystone Sports consists of 8 strong college sports placement agencies. We make it possible for international students to get recruited and receive sports scholarships in the USA and Canada. Do you want to study in America on a tennis scholarship? We at Keystone Sports are experts in securing US tennis scholarships for UK students!
Application
Fill the form and get a free evaluation of your chances by our experts
Signing
Contract with Keystone Sports and university action plan
Preparation
Test prep and grade evaluation, university admission profile, choosing school and division
Planning
Visa, travel arrangements, and assistance with the application process
Support
On going college support/assistance
If you want to learn more about the different steps, from the free assessment to enrolled student-athlete, click on the button and discover the full process.
Tennis scholarships:
play college tennis & study in the USA
Develop your tennis skills while studying at university in the USA. Thanks to tennis scholarships you can secure a bachelor’s degree while having the time and opportunity to play tennis. Discover why this is an excellent opportunity for you as a player—whether you’re aspiring to go pro or looking to combine your passion with studying in the USA!
Top 5 of our tennis players studying in the USA:
Eden Richardson
Louisiana State University
Alicia Barnett
Northwestern University
Nell Miller
North Carolina State
Luke Simkiss
Keiser University
Ruth Seaborne
University of Iowa
What is College Tennis?
Playing college tennis means you’ll be a student enrolled in the university’s tennis programme. You’ll pursue your chosen major like any other student while also practicing and competing in tennis on university level to represent your school in tournaments and competitions.
College tennis in the USA is a fantastic platform for players because they don’t have to choose between tennis and higher education. Additionally, you can receive financial support during your time in the USA through a tennis scholarship!
Difference between “regular” tennis and college tennis?
College Tennis Rules
College tennis rules have some unique features compared to standard tennis. Matches at the college level consist of best-of-three sets with no-ad scoring, meaning the first player to win four points wins the game. In no-ad scoring, when the game score reaches 40-40 (deuce), the next point wins the game, which speeds up the matches. Each dual match includes six singles and three doubles matches, with the team winning at least two of the three doubles matches earning one point. While it’s typically not allowed in professional tennis, coaches can offer guidance during changeovers and between points. Moreover, college teams must submit lineups based on player ability to ensure players compete in their designated positions. These college tennis rules make the game more strategic while maintaining competitive fairness.
Team vs Individual Competition
In college tennis, you compete both individually and as part of the team. It has its own competitions and tournaments with the most well-known being the Nationals –the NCAA’s final championships at the end of each season.
College Tennis season vs Regular Tennis Season
The college tennis season runs from January to May, making it one of the spring college sports. During the season, college players compete in matches and tournaments specific to college tennis. The professional tennis season, which includes the ATP (men’s) and WTA (women’s) tours, operates year-round, with various tournaments held globally. This distinction emphasises the continuous nature of professional tennis compared to the seasonal structure of college tennis.
Discover the Alliance Athletes App. Imagine an app where tennis coaches are searching for new players for their university teams, and that player could be you! Don’t miss the chance to take your tennis to the next level in the US with the Alliance Athlete App.
What Does a Tennis Scholarship Cover?
A tennis scholarship is a financial grant to help tennis players to cover some or even all the costs of studying at college. These costs are tuition, housing, board and other academic fees. College tennis scholarships can also cover other costs that are related to your tennis, like equipment and other training costs.
Women's Tennis Scholarships
Women’s college tennis in the USA is one of the largest college sports, with over 1000 NCAA programmes and more than 100 women’s tennis programmes in the NAIA. This gives you a wide choice of colleges across divisions, levels, and locations—East Coast, West Coast, or maybe the South? You’ll find women’s tennis scholarships for college all over the country!
Team sizes usually range between 8-10 players. For the NCAA, each team has a number of scholarships. This number may vary depending on which division, as for Division 1 there are 8 scholarships, while in division II there are 6 scholarships for female teams. NAIA is a different association and instead has different rules with 5 scholarships per team.
Remember that this is for full scholarships, meaning that coaches often distribute them as partial scholarships to support more players on the team.
Men's Tennis Scholarships
Men’s college tennis plays a significant role in the college sports landscape. With over 750 college tennis programmes in the NCAA and more than 90 men’s tennis programmes in the NAIA, there is a vast array of options available. Just like women’s tennis programmes, you have a wide selection to match your needs, aspirations, and ambitions!
College team sizes typically range between 8-12 players. For the NCAA, the scholarship limits per team vary by division: Division I men’s teams can offer up to 4.5 scholarships, same limit for Division II teams. In the NAIA, each men’s team can provide up to 5 scholarships.
Once again, these numbers represent full scholarships and coaches can distribute them as partial scholarships.
5 ProTennis Players & Former University Athletes
Several professional players are former student-athletes in the U.S. who played successfully for college teams. In other words, college tennis is an excellent option if you aspire to turn professional in the future! Some former student-athletes include:
Ben Shelton
University of Florida
John McEnroe
Stanford University
Danielle Collins
University of Virginia
Nicole Gibbs
Stanford University
Jimmy Connors
UCLA university
However, there is a level for everyone in college tennis. From players with professional ambitions to those with a lower UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) who are primarily seeking the experience of studying in the USA while balancing their tennis.
College tennis features various divisions to cater to all ambitions, as not all tennis student-athletes aim to turn their passion into a full-time career. Nonetheless, the experience of playing tennis at college is invaluable for your future—regardless of the path you choose after university.
A Day in Life as a Student on a Tennis Scholarship in the USA
The US university sports system offers a unique blend of sports and higher education that you won’t find in many other countries. This rare opportunity allows athletes to pursue their academic and athletic dreams simultaneously! Consequently, it can be challenging for tennis players to imagine what daily life as a student-athlete in America might look like. A typical day for a tennis player on a scholarship might unfold like this:
Your tennis practice will usually take place in the mornings before classes to avoid scheduling conflicts within the team. The typical duration of a college tennis practice can vary, but it generally lasts about 2-3 hours per session. This time usually includes warm-ups, drills, match play, and a cool-down period. Additionally, you’ll have conditioning sessions, weight training, or specific skill workouts scheduled. However, the primary on-court practice typically spans 2-3 hours.
Most of your day will be spent in school, just like any other student. In the afternoon, you might have additional tennis practice depending on the season, followed by time dedicated to your schoolwork. You may have upcoming exams, papers to submit for grading, group projects, and literature to read before your next class.
College tennis isn’t just about practice; it’s also about competition. There are various series in college tennis that can range from regional to national levels, which means you might need to travel for competitions. These events may take place on weekends or even on weekdays. In such cases, it’s your responsibility to inform your professors about your absence from class and check what will be covered, so you don’t fall behind.
Does it sound hectic? Being a student-athlete is all about balancing sports and academics. You’ll learn to master time management and planning to stay on top of both your tennis commitments and your university studies.
Nicolas Jubera
Jasmin Hauska
Marta Falceto Font
Joan Crespo
NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Finance
SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE
Biochemistry
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Mathematics
LAMAR UNIVERSITY
Exercise Sports Science
Sport scholarships was the catalyst for my professional success, enabling me to secure a job in Wall Street and ultimately pursue an MBA at an Ivy League school.
Keystone Sports made my college experience possible in the first place. I couldn’t have afforded tuition without them.
Sport scholarships allowed me to play the sport I love while studying and obtaining a degree in Mathematics.
Sport scholarships helped me a lot and made it much easier and comfortable for me finding an university which fits perfectly.
FAQ: About College Tennis and Tennis Scholarships in the USA
If you want to combine the sport you love with studying abroad, becoming a student-athlete in America is a great opportunity. As a student-athlete, you have access to college tennis coaches and staff who will help you to improve your game, on and off the court. Moreover, you get the chance to travel and compete around the country and usually compete on a higher level than you normally would be able to. Lastly, thanks to tennis scholarships for college you can receive help to cover the costs associated with studying and playing tennis in the US. Tennis is one of the most challenging sports to advance to a professional level in. It requires not only talent and training but also financial resources. With college tennis scholarships, you can finance your tennis endeavors as a student athlete in the USA, as well as cover the costs of studying abroad.
Earning a tennis scholarship requires a combination of strong tennis skills, a proven track record, good academic performance, and engaging with college coaches. Here are some key steps to help you secure a tennis scholarship in the US:
Start recording your matches, as the American coaches will ask for a highlight video. To further increase your chances of getting discovered, attend tennis showcases with invited US tennis coaches. These scouting events give you the opportunity to show your skills and talent on the court, talk to coaches in person, and establish connections.
Coaches look for student-athletes who can balance sports and academics, which means you need to maintain your academic record. Keep
Colleges that offer tennis scholarships for international students are located all over the U.S., in all NCAA divisions, NAIA and JUCO. College tennis is one of the most popular college sports and there are almost 20,000 tennis student-athletes in the U.S.
Tennis scholarships in the USA for international students are highly sought after, and securing one can be challenging, particularly for divisions and schools with strong and competitive college tennis programmes. To get recruited, your UTR, talent, and impressive performance in both matches and academics are essential. However, coaches also consider personal attributes, potential, and how well you will fit into the team.
The Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) required for college tennis varies depending on the division and school. For NCAA Division I men’s tennis, a UTR of 12.0 or higher is typically needed to be considered for recruitment. Division II programmes generally look for players with a UTR around 10.5 to 12.0. For Division III and NAIA programmes, the required UTR can range from 8.0 to 10.0. However, these figures are merely guidelines; schools renowned for their tennis programmes and high-performing college teams are naturally more competitive and more challenging to gain recruitment to.
Yes, international students can get tennis scholarships as well. College tennis is the college sport with the largest percentage of foreign players. College coaches are actively scouting for players from the UK and all over the world for their college teams.
Thanks to scholarships for tennis, you will not only become a better tennis player but also pursue a bachelor’s degree! In addition, you will make new friends from all over the world and experience tremendous personal growth!
Are you ready to play tennis, study, and experience the renowned American college life? Fill out Keystone Sports’ free application form to start your university tennis adventure.
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