URBANA, June 13, 2019 (Press Release)

Fighting Illini men’s tennis will be one of the 15 hosts for the 2020 ITA Kick-Off Weekend on Jan. 24-25, 2020 at Atkins Tennis Center. Through an annual tournament draft held last Thursday, it was revealed the host and top seeded Illini will welcome No. 2 seed Michigan, No. 3 seed Texas Tech, and No. 4 seed Ole Miss.

The ITA Kick-Off Weekend features 15 “regionals” with four teams competing in each and vying for a spot in the ITA National Men’s Team Indoor Championship. Opening-round contests at each location pit the No. 1 (host) seed against the No. 4 seed, and the No. 2 seed versus the No. 3 seed. The two winners advance to the following day’s championship match, while the two losing teams will square off in a consolation match.

The winners of the single-elimination event advance to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships from Feb. 14-17, 2020 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison, Wis. As host, the University of Wisconsin receives an automatic bid to the championship tournament.

Last season, Illinois received an automatic bid to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships after serving as host for the championship tournament held at Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago.

As a team, the Orange and Blue finished the 2019 season ranked No. 15 in the final ITA team rankings. The Illini went 19-9 overall, including 10-1 in conference play and made their 24th NCAA Tournament appearance.

2020 ITA Kick-off Weekend Schedule – Urbana, Ill. (All times Central)
Friday, January 24
2 p.m. – Michigan vs. Texas Tech
6 p.m. – ILLINOIS vs. Ole Miss

Saturday, January 25
2 p.m. – Consolation match
6 p.m. – Championship match