78^th USTA Boys' National Tennis Tournament · August 5-16

Each summer the excitement of the USTA Boys’ 18 & 16 National Championships overtakes Kalamazoo, Michigan. This tournament is the single most important event of the tennis year for the nearly 500 outstanding juniors who arrive from all parts of the United States. Ten days of intense, tough, inspired tennis earn for each of the ultimate winners in singles and doubles the cherished title of United States National Champion. And as a testament to the incredible tennis played in Kalamazoo, the 18’s Champions in Singles and Doubles winners receive an automatic bid to the main draw of the U.S. Open.

Kalamazoo became the home of the Boys’ Nationals 78 years ago when the USTA was forced to relocate the tournament from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana due to WWII. For the first three years in Kalamazoo, the tournament was played on five grass courts next to the railroad tracks where Anderson Athletic Center is now located with 90 player entries. In 1946, Kalamazoo College constructed a new stadium and named it for Dr. Allen B. Stowe, a legendary Kalamazoo College coach, who played a large role in influencing the USTA to move the tournament to Kalamazoo. From the nine original red clay courts to the 11 current hard courts, Stowe Stadium has undergone a number of necessary upgrades over the past 75 years. Incredible American tennis players have played, fought, won, and lost on the courts of Stowe Stadium, including Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe, Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, Patrick and John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Bob and Mike Bryan, James Blake, Andy Roddick, and Jack Sock.

The Boys’ Nationals plays a large role in the impact sports events have on the Kalamazoo community. The tournament has a 1-million-dollar annual economic impact to the community and downtown restaurants experience significant uptick in local and visiting patrons during the tournament. Approximately 2,000 total room nights are sold during the event each year.

Community support is a crucial part for the Nationals to ensure the success and sustainability of the tournament in Kalamazoo. One of the founding community sponsors, WKZO, broadcasted the tournament finals for the first time in 1953 and continues to provide radio journalism for the tournament to this day. The Boys’ Nationals relies on the community for financial support and physical support through the efforts of our volunteers. The tournament is always seeking new companies and organizations to partner with as sponsors or advertisers. Volunteer positions are always available and those interested in volunteering for the tournament this year or in the future are encouraged to visit ustaboys.com and click on “Volunteers.”

Boys’ Nationals tournament staff, sponsors and volunteers are delighted to be back for the 78th Nats at the Zoo, August 5-16! While the event will not be open to the public (based on COVID-19 protocols at time of publication), spectators are encouraged to live stream the action at the USTA Boys Facebook page.

Catch the action, live-streaming August 5-16 at fb.com/ustaboys