Our Progress Tour Story
A word from SotoTennis Academy’s Owner & Director, Dan Kiernan:
Barry Fulcher, who is a good friend of mine, has worked tirelessly to bring more competition opportunities in the UK, with both prize money and a level-based format which guarantees multiple matches for each player. This is the sort of initiative I want to get behind, as his intentions and concept are spot on.
In 2019, we agreed to run a Progress Tour event at the Academy in Sotogrande over the October Half Term break. Barry said we would do well to get 30 entrants – I promised 50 (we had 55). The following year, everyone said we would do well to get 40 with the pandemic – I said we would get 60 (we had 67), and last year in 2021 we were challenged to hit 60 again – we promised 70 (and had 78!).
This will now always be an annual Academy event, and we hope to continue to build this international addition to the fantastic Progress Tour. It is no ordinary tournament, from the Goody Bags for the competitors through to the friendly atmosphere, as well as our amazing partners, sponsors and photographers.
The players are made to feel special, our Ball Crew rock it every year, and our young referee and coach Ollie delivers alongside Barry what we say on the tin. The Poke Bowls & Paella are to die for, and the commentary on our Instagram Lives is to die laughing at. If you haven’t experienced it, make sure you do!
We are so excited for a bigger and better event in 2022!
STA Progress Tour 2022
This October 2022, SotoTennis Academy is hosting its fourth annual Progress Tour International Event.
With thanks to our tournament partners, Peninsula and Babolat, the event looks set to welcome even more fierce competition in our beautiful home of Sotogrande, and the opportunity to win a share of a substantial prize pot.
Competitors also have the option to become part of Team Soto for the week… find out more below!
Venue: SotoTennis Academy, El Octogono Club de Tenis, Sotogrande, Spain
Date: Monday 24th – Friday 28th October 2022
What to expect:
- A minimum of three level-based and progressive UTR-powered matches
- Doubles Tie-Break Tens Shootout Event
- Prize Money
- Mixed, Co-ed Draws with a Female Bonus Winner
- Player Housing (on a first-come-first-served basis, requested via info@sototennis.com)
- Competitor Goody Bag
Format:
- Qualifying Draw, plus all playback matches will be two short sets, plus championship tie-break deciding set
- Main Draw with two full sets plus championship tie-break deciding set
- Refereed by an approved Progress Tour representative
- Qualifying compass draw for lower UTR players on 22nd & 23rd October, feeding into Main Draw for higher UTR players from 24th – 28th October.
- Players must be available to play on all competition days.
Surface: European Red Outdoor Clay (playback matches may take place on an alternative surface)
Players: Mixed Event, recommended UTR of 6.5 upwards. Players below this are invited to enter, but their participation cannot be guaranteed
Entries:
- By 2pm on Thursday 20th October 2022 OR when entries are full
- Please click the ‘Enter Here’ button below and fill in the details, completing payment to confirm your entry
- Entries are based on a first-come-first-served basis. If you are able to enter via the entry button below, your entry into the event is secured.
- Entry & Withdrawal deadline are one and the same. Any withdrawal received after this time will not receive an entry fee refund.
Entry Fee: €50
Prize Money: TBA – Bigger Prize Pot than our 2021 Event!
Wild-Card: Winner receives a Wild-Card into Men’s $25K UTR Pro Tour event in Norwich, UK, the following week.
In addition to the Main Mixed Co-ed Draws, the 2 highest achieving female players will be placed into a separate shootout draw, with the winner winning the Female Bonus Title & extra Prize Money.
Train with Team Soto
We are also inviting Progress Tour Competitors to join Team Soto for the week to train and prepare for the tournament alongside our Full Time Players at a discounted rate!
Click the button below for more details:
Any questions about STA’s 2022 Progress Tour Event or Training Weeks?
We can’t wait to see you in Sotogrande soon!
