Launch Your 2026 Tournament Journey with Confidence
As the 2026 tennis tournament calendar begins, many students and families are exploring USTA events to get started in competitive play.
To help ease this transition, the newly formed Oak Forest Tennis Club (OFTC) recommends two upcoming Level 7 (L7) tournaments in early 2026 as ideal entry points for players ready to dip their toes into tournament tennis.
These L7 events are perfect for beginners: they're typically one-day tournaments with non-elimination formats (like round-robins), guaranteeing multiple matches and a low-pressure environment to build experience. In addition to gaining valuable competitive match experiences, participants will start earning UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) points. A strong UTR is increasingly important for tournament seeding, college recruiting, and matching against similarly skilled opponents.
"Starting your USTA tournament journey can feel overwhelming," says Coach KoKo. "New families often have dozens of questions—from registration and what to bring, to match-day etiquette and handling nerves."
At OFTC, our goal is to build a supportive community where members share practical tips, real insights, and straightforward advice. Whether you're a player or parent, we're here to help you navigate this exciting step with confidence. We have identified two L7 events where OFTC coaches will be on-site and available to offer strategy and tactic suggestions.
Ready to sign up? Check the USTA tournament search tool for the latest L7 events in our area. These venues do charge an entrance fee, which is paid directly to the host facility.
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