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This week, London will host the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) Grand Final, which is sure to provide an exciting way to cap off the tennis season.
Till the Australian Open ignites 2024 with a bang next month, tennis may appear to be in hibernation.
In an effort to introduce tennis to a younger demographic, renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou created this daring new format.
To cap off an incredible tennis year, the UTS Finals will provide London fans with a festive cherry on top.
Describe Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS).
Every match lasts four quarters, each lasting eight minutes plus the amount of time for a fictitious sudden death.
At the conclusion of each quarter, during the three-minute changeover, the timer stops.
The match is won by the first person to win three QTS. A “Sudden Death” format is used for the fifth QT if there is a tie between the two players at two QTs each.
A thrilling cliffhanger known as the “Sudden Death” occurs when a player wins the match by winning two straight points. During the Sudden Death, every point after the second is a match point.
The game begins as soon as the players take the court; there is no warm-up.
Each player gets two points during the quarter when they serve: player A gets two points, player B gets two points, and player A gets two points again.
UTS players are only allowed one serve per point as part of a significant change meant to cut down on downtime and increase rallies. If you miss the serve, you lose the point.
Bonus cards are used to add excitement to the matchups. This bonus card may only be used by each player once every quarter during regular play. The card user is the only one affected by the “Next point counts x3” effect and just in relation to the following point.
PARTICIPATING WHOM?
After receiving an exemption for the UTS Grand Championship in London, Holger Rune of Denmark is the main attraction.
Along with France’s Gael Monfils, Norway’s Casper Ruud, Russia’s Andrey Rublev, and Kazakhstan’s unpredictable Alexander Bublik, Great Britain’s Jack Draper has also been handed a wildcard for the shootout in front of his home supporters. Diego Schwartzman of Argentina and Benoit Paire of France, who is never boring, are also on the pitch.
AROUND THE PRIZE MONEY??
Each match has a $111,000 purse, for a total prize pool of $1,665,000.
The victor of each match keeps 70% of the money, while the losers take home 30%.
There will be a winner-take-all final on Sunday.
Additionally, Monfils is participating in a lucrative bonus scheme this week in London.
Monfils has participated in four UTS events in 2013, so his total earnings could be $922,000 if he triumphs all five of his corresponds in London this week. He will also receive an additional $500,000.
Rublev is competing in his 2nd UTS occasion of 2023, and should he win every game, he will receive a cheque for $250,000.
Draper and Rune will receive a $125,000 bonus if they win all five of their matches in these, their initial UTS occasions of the year.
At the UTS Grand Final in London, big names like Draper and Rublev are on show.
Before the UTS, the Grand final takes place in London, we examine the major plot points leading up to the year-end occasion and give you a sneak peek at the information you should know.
The UTS Grand Final is taking place at Wimbledon in London from December 15–17, so even though the ATP as well as WTA Tours may be over for the year, there’s will be a lot of tennis action this weekend.
At this weekend’s ExCel London, eight of the top players from this year’s UTS Tour will compete for the year-end prize, which includes three former and two current top 10 players.
The UTS Grand Final promises to be an exciting, fast-paced, and innovative format with lots to look forward to.
Practices have begun. The athletes are in London 👀.
In London, Rublev is the man to beat.
With the UTS Grand Championship about to begin, it’s clear that Andrey “Rublo” Rublev is going to be the one to beat.
From Frankfurt to London: Rublo Andrey Rublev is vying for the throne
The Russian is not only the best player in the field but also the only one in attendance with a championship this year, having most recently taken home the UTS Frankfurt due to Builder.ai trophy in the month of September.
Rublev, who is ranked No. 5 on the ATP Tour, is having the greatest year of his career. He has reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals, won an ATP 250 ownership in Bastad, and won his first Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo.
Rublev lost his opening match at UTS Frankfurt by Builder.ai to Diego “El Peque” Schwartzman, but he went on to win the tournament by going undefeated throughout.
G-Unit Grigor Dimitrov vs. Rublo Andrey Rublev | UTS Frankfurt due to Builder.ai Highlights
Casper “The Iceman” Ruud, Benoit “The Rebel” Paire, and Rublev have all been drawn into Group A for this weekend, setting up a tantalising rematch following their Frankfurt matchup. Holger “The Viking” Rune, Gael “La Monf” Monfils, Jack “The Power” Draper, and Alexander “The Bublik Enemy” Bublik are grouped together in Group B.
CAN DRAPER ACCOMPLISH HOMETOWN DEMANDS?
Jack Draper has experienced multiple injury layoffs throughout 2023, making it yet another erratic season.
The 21-year-old will have the chance to end the year on a positive note by competing in his first UTS competition in front of supporters in his native London, despite this setback.
“On Thursday, Draper expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to perform in London, saying, ‘I’m extremely thankful to be here. “I think the idea is fantastic, and the event is a lot of fun.” I’m thrilled to be playing here with such talented players and in front of a familiar crowd.
Due to his position, Rublev has a clear target on his back, but there are other players who will be just as eager to face Draper in opposition to his home crowd.
“Playing a familiar player, a residence beloved, is always exciting,” Rune said prior to the first day of UTS London. “The atmosphere will be different from what it usually is. But since we’re getting used to it, I think it will be fantastic with lots of people and support. I’m looking forward to it.
Many people are excited about the matchup between Rune and Draper, which takes place on Friday night at 9 p.m.
AT UTS LONDON, ACTION FOR EVERYONE
Fans are drawn to UTS because they can always expect to see their primary player, even with its many selling points—music playing during the points, unrestricted crowd movement and shouting, player interviews during matches, etc.
Over the course of the first two days, every player will play no fewer than once. Six matches are slated for both Friday and Saturday, with the semi-finals as well as final taking place on Sunday.
The group play’s exact play order for the UTS Great final in London is as follows:
Friday, December 15th
- Diego “El Peque” at 4 PM Benoit “The Rebel” v. Schwartzman Paire
- 5 p.m.: Andréy “Rublo” Casper “The Iceman” vs. Rublev Ruud
- 6 p.m.: “The Bublik Enemy,” Alexander Gael vs. Bublik “La Monf” Monfils
- 8 p.m.: Andréy “Rublo” Rublev against “El Peque” Diego Schwartzman
- 9 p.m.: “The Viking,” Holger Jack vs. Rune: “The Power” Draper
- 10 p.m.: “The Iceman,” Casper Benoit “The Rebel” Paire vs. Ruud
December 16, Saturday
- Holger “The Viking” at 4 p.m. Alexander v. Rune: “The Bublik Enemy” Bublik
- Jack “The Power” at 5 p.m. Gael “La Monf” v. Draper Monfils
- 6 p.m.: “The Iceman,” Casper Diego “El Peque” versus Ruud Schwartzman
- 8 p.m.: Andréy “Rublo” Benoit “The Rebel” v. Rublev Paire
- 9 p.m.: “The Viking,” Holger Gael v. Rune (“La Monf”) Monfils
- 10 p.m.: Alexander “The Bublik Enemy” vs. Jack “The Power” Draper Bublik
The overall winner of the first group will then play the runner-up of Group B, and vice versa, in the Final Four on Sunday, December 17. This will decide who advances to the UTS Great Final on Sunday night.
