Universal Tennis and Tennis Channel are joining forces to evolve and accelerate the growth of tennis by unifying the language of the sport through technology and media. The collaborative partnership focuses on supporting more competitive play and enjoyment across the tennis community through the use of the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR).

The USTA announced the creation of a tennis coaching accreditation program for organizations and institutions that certify U.S. tennis professionals. The program will begin in 2018.

Any business, organization or individual looking to support the tennis industry can become part of the Tennis Network for just $35 and enjoy TIA benefits and access to key information to grow their business. Visit TennisIndustry.org/membership.

Industry partners are working together to designate May 2018 as “Play Tennis Month” to help showcase the sport of tennis and associated health benefits. Thousands of tennis programs and events will be held around the country, with a goal of helping jump-start the industry and get people moving and playing tennis, the No. 1 sport for a long and healthy life. Visit RallyTheIndustry.org.

The fifth annual Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) Conference will be April 8-11 at Wild Dunes Resort in Charleston, S.C., and will feature top experts and consultants inside and outside of the tennis industry. Presented by the TIA, the TOM Conference targets tennis owners, managers and industry decision-makers with a focus on innovation, growth, business leadership and development.

Ajay Pant, the national tennis director for Life Time, has been named “Person of the Year” for 2017 by Tennis Industry magazine in the publication’s January 2018 issue. Pant led off the magazine’s 17th annual “Champions of Tennis Awards,” which honors people, businesses and organizations dedicated to improving the sport and business of tennis.

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association and PlaySight are pleased to announce an extension of their collegiate tennis partnership. Over the past two years, the ITA has helped facilitate PlaySight's SmartCourt expansion across all divisions of the sport. PlaySight is now powering close to 50 men's and women's programs, including the University of Southern California, Princeton, Harvard, Ohio State, and most recently, the University of Florida and Indiana University.

The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for designers, builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities, has announced the winners of its annual awards. Awards are presented each year to facilities built by ASBA members, which best exemplify construction excellence.

A new feature at the upcoming TOM Conference in April will be On-Court Equipment/Retail Demos. On the afternoon of April 9, manufacturers will be on court at Wild Dunes Resort in Charleston, S.C., to offer equipment education and demos, so TOM Conference attendees can learn about and try different products.