The best university tennis teams in the country travelled to the National Tennis Centre in London last week to compete in the final Super Weekend of the season.
Since a thrilling Super Weekend in October to start the season, the UK’s top six university tennis teams have been locked in a weekly battle on the court, all in pursuit of the ultimate goal of being crowned National League Champions.
Whilst regular season fixtures between National League teams take place on BUCS Wednesdays throughout the year, all teams meet twice a year at a centralised venue for what is known as a Super Weekend.
The first Super Weekend of the season took place on the 15th and 16th of October at the home of defending women’s champions, Loughborough University. Nottingham Men’s and Bath Women’s were the only teams able to make perfect starts, winning both of their opening games.
Following an intense and highly competitive season, all 12 teams from the men’s and women’s National Leagues recently came together for one last time this season to compete in the second and final Super Weekend of the season.
What is a Super Weekend?
There are two Super Weekends that take place every year.
The first Super Weekend of the season sees the opening round of matches for all National League teams being played.
The final round of fixtures are played at the second Super Weekend, when the winners of each league will be crowned.
The second Super Weekend of the season was held at the National Tennis Centre in London, a fantastic facility that boats six indoor courts, and 16 outdoor courts covering all the Grand Slam surfaces.
Over the course of the weekend, a total of 12 matches were played, with each team playing its final two matches of the season. Loughborough Men’s, Stirling Men’s, and Bath Women’s all delivered dominant performances, winning both of their games and finishing the season strong.
2022/23 BUCS Tennis National League Standings
The BUCS National League represents the highest level of university team tennis in the UK.
With only six spots available in each of the men’s and women’s leagues, the level of competition is consistently high and features some of the most talented players from universities across the country.
This year saw six university teams compete in the National Leagues including reigning champions Loughborough (Women’s) and Stirling (Men’s), joined by Bath, Durham, Nottingham, and Leeds Beckett.
We look at the final standings of each league to see which teams were victorious this season.
Men’s Premier National Standings
| Position | Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions | Nottingham | 9 | 0 | 1 | 27 |
| 2nd | Stirling | 7 | 0 | 3 | 21 |
| 3rd | Loughborough | 6 | 1 | 3 | 19 |
| 4th | Bath | 5 | 1 | 4 | 16 |
| 5th | Leeds Beckett | 0 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| 6th | Durham | 0 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
Women’s Premier National Standings
| Position | Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions | Bath | 9 | 1 | 0 | 28 |
| 2th | Durham | 5 | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| 3th | Stirling | 4 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
| 4th | Loughborough | 3 | 1 | 6 | 10 |
| 5th | Nottingham | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 6th | Leeds Beckett | 2 | 0 | 8 | 6 |
Moments from Super Weekend 2 (5th-6th February 2023)
How we can help you combine playing tennis with your academic pursuits at a UK University
UK university tennis boasts an incredibly high level of play in its top leagues, with talented student-athletes from around the world representing their UK institutions.
However, the opportunities to play tennis at the university level are not limited to just the National league level. There are a wide variety of leagues, cups, and trophies for students of all ability levels to compete for, providing an inclusive and diverse environment for anyone interested in playing.
Tennis is one of the most popular sports in UK universities, with a rich history of producing top-level players and competitive teams. Whether you are an experienced player looking to compete at the highest level or just looking to try something new, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved with UK university tennis alongside their studies.
Learn more about UK University Tennis via the link below.
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