Berrettini headlines new UTR Pro Match Series tournament

World No. 8 Matteo Berrettini will headline the UTR Pro Match Series, live from West Palm Beach in Florida between May 8-10, 2020.

Berrettini will be joined by American stars Reilly Opelka, Tennis Sandgren and Tommy Paul for the men’s tournament, while the women’s competition – set to be staged from May 22-24 – will feature the likes of Alison Riske, Amanda Anisimova, Danielle Collins and Ajla Tomljanovic.

The tournament, which is being marketed as the first top tier tennis event to be held since all forms of the sport were suspended on March 8, will be played at West Palm Beach in Florida.

Strict social distancing measures will be in place and the tournament won’t be open to the public. One chair umpire will oversee the match, but line judges and ball kids won’t be in operation.

Furthermore, players will bring their own towels and drinks, along with being provided with their own marked set of balls. Players also won’t shake hands before and after matches.

“The world has changed and we must adapt and innovate,” said Universal Tennis Chairman & CEO Mark Leschly.

“Local, individual and small group play will be the new normal for the foreseeable future. The UTR Pro Match Series showcases how tennis can be played locally, safely and have results count toward the UTR global rating.”

The UTR Pro Match Series is the latest tournament to be established amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Patrick Mouratoglou is planning to state the ‘Ultimate Tennis Showdown’ from May 16 on the French Riviera, with the competition set to feature a total of 10 matches every weekend for five weeks.

David Goffin, Benoit Paire, Fabio Fognini and Alexei Popyrin have already been confirmed as participants.

Other national bodies have also been in talks to stage similar events with local stars, including Tennis Australia.