UTS: NEW TENNIS HITS LONDON

UTS is more US Open night match than Wimbledon hushed reverence: pumping music, flashing lights and loud announcements make for a rowdy crowd. And the pro’s are all encouraged to express themselves: dancing, smashing rackets or climbing onto the umpire’s chair all go unpunished (the only real warnings come if they’re slowing play down).

At London’s first UTS tournament (also 2023’s UTS Grand Final), fans saw home favourite and event newbie Jack Draper (The Power) take home the lightning strike trophy, beating Holger Rune (The Viking) in the final. Other competitors included Diego Schwartzman (El Peque), Gaël Monfils (La Monf), Holger Rune (The Viking), Benoît Paire (The Rebel), Alexander Bublik (The Bublik Enemy), Casper Ruud (The Ice Man) and Andrey Rublev (Rublo). We sent sports photographer Aryan Arafi courtside to capture the action.