The Colorado High School Activities Association has been awarding state titles in boys tennis since 1927 and in girls tennis since 1975. It wasn’t until two years ago that the team state champion was crowned through a dual-team style single-elimination tournament, though.
Prior to Fall 2022, players’ individual performances in the state tournament were awarded points which were tallied to determine a team champion. No head-to-head matches were required among any specific teams throughout the tournament, so the focus was on individual performance to score team points.
As the championships evolved, the desire grew for there to more emphasis on the team component. A subcommittee was formed and tasked with providing a recommendation on a way forward. Ultimately, the committee recommended that the individual brackets with team points linked to them be eliminated, and the CHSAA membership agreed.
In adopting the dual-match single-elimination team tournament, high school tennis in Colorado became in alignment with how collegiate tennis determines its team championship, as the NCAA shifted to the dual-match style tournament in 1977.
“Ultimately, the subcommittee wanted the team championship to be a ‘head-to-head match’ that would truly determine the team champion,” said Bethany Brookens, CHSAA’s Associate Commissioner who oversees tennis. “To me, this change allows schools an opportunity to play as college teams play. It also allows student-athletes to experience what high school sports are all about; being a part of a team.”
With the head-to-head match format decided, a venue needed to secured.
“For Denver Tennis Park to open up their doors, it really exemplifies what they’re all about… which is helping the community and doing things that help others,” said Fritz Garger, Executive Director of USTA Colorado said. “[CHSAA and Denver Tennis Park] is a great marriage of a lot of really positive things.”
Denver Tennis Park proved to be a perfect fit for the championships and now looks to be a long-time permanent host for the finals of the team tournament. The site hosts seven courts in a row, perfect for playing No. 1-3 singles and No. 1-4 doubles at the same time. With the tournament being “played to clinch” a team is deemed the winner as soon as four lines have been won by one team.
“What’s really cool is [the student-athletes] get to storm the court when the match is over,” said Jon Messick, a former collegiate tennis coach and currently a head official for CHSAA. “That’s just really exciting to watch.”
With the facility being indoors, matches can also be played without interruption, weather doesn’t need to be taken into account and there are no fences or barriers between courts. As an added bonus, fans that are unable to make the match can watch a live stream of each court, provided by Denver Tennis Park.