When exactly did the USLTA become the USTA?

[jimbo333]

This is one for the TW historians!

When exactly did the USLTA become the USTA, and why?

I'd like to know the date it actually officially changed please?

[JW10S]

The 'L' of course stood for 'Lawn' and was dropped from the name in 1975. It was done for a few reasons, first very little tennis was being played on grass in the US by then, and second, it was less formal and less 'hoity-toity'. Simplifying the name to the US Tennis Assoc. as opposed to the US Lawn Tennis Assoc. was done to try and make the sport appeal to the masses and not just the country club crowd. It seems to have worked, the 'LTA' might want to give it a try.

[BHud]

...and of course the US Open had transitioned from grass to synthetic clay at Forest Hills several years earlier.

[jimbo333]

The 'L' of course stood for 'Lawn' and was dropped from the name in 1975. It was done for a few reasons, first very little tennis was being played on grass in the US by then, and second, it was less formal and less 'hoity-toity'. Simplifying the name to the US Tennis Assoc. as opposed to the US Lawn Tennis Assoc. was done to try and make the sport appeal to the masses and not just the country club crowd. It seems to have worked, the 'LTA' might want to give it a try.

Thanks:)

Does anyone know the actual date or at least month it was changed please?

[vsbabolat]

...and of course the US Open had transitioned from grass to synthetic clay at Forest Hills several years earlier.

There is nothing synthetic about Har-Tru.

HAR-TRU is made from billion year old, Pre-Cambrian metabasalt found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. It is a natural green stone which is extremely hard and angular, two very important qualities when it comes to tennis court construction. The angularity helps the stone particles lock together to form a stable playing surface. The hardness means exceptional durability. The natural green color is classically clay and instantly recognizable.

The stone is crushed, screened and mixed in the precise proportions necessary to produce a stable playing surface. It is then installed over a porous base of crushed stone aggregate to produce the final product.

[jimbo333]

There is nothing synthetic about Har-Tru.

HAR-TRU is made from billion year old, Pre-Cambrian metabasalt found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. It is a natural green stone which is extremely hard and angular, two very important qualities when it comes to tennis court construction. The angularity helps the stone particles lock together to form a stable playing surface. The hardness means exceptional durability. The natural green color is classically clay and instantly recognizable.

The stone is crushed, screened and mixed in the precise proportions necessary to produce a stable playing surface. It is then installed over a porous base of crushed stone aggregate to produce the final product.

I've never played on this surface, would like to try it one day!

Do you know exactly when USLTA became USTA by any chance please?

[MAX PLY]

1881: United States National Lawn Tennis Association formed

1920: "National" dropped from the name

1975: "Lawn" dropped from the name (as tennis was by then played on numerous surfaces)

[jimbo333]

Well was it towards the end of 75?

Did some tournament organisers not know?

I ask, because I was lucky enough to win a trophy at the Guernseys auction at the US Open. Won by Jimmy Connors when losing to Ilie Nastase at the US Indoor Championships at Salisbury, Maryland in Feb 76 and it says on it:-

"USLTA Indoor Championships Mens Singles Finalist 1976"!

[MAX PLY]

Interesting. I double checked the dates and in fact the USTA website confirms 1975 as the year but I do not know what time of that year they effected the change.

[slice bh compliment]

The 'L' of course stood for 'Lawn' and was dropped from the name in 1975. ....

...and of course the US Open had transitioned from grass to synthetic clay at Forest Hills several years earlier.

'74 was the last year on grass at Forest Hills. '75 was the first yr on Har-Tru.

I was playing a little bit of tennis by then and I do remember the L even as late as '77. Maybe that was just old dudes talking.

But I also remember the red, white and blue USTA logo with the eagle and the wooden frames. USTA 1976.

EDIT:
So it had to be by 1976 for sure. I am guessing 75, but sorry I cannot contribute really.

[jimbo333]

^^^^^^ Thanks:)

So do any of the many TW historians know when in 75?

For example was the US Open in 75 a USLTA event or a USTA event?

And was the US Indoor in Feb 76 called a USLTA event by accident or did they just get the trophy engraved incorrectly?

All answers much appreciated:)

[jimbo333]

Interesting. I double checked the dates and in fact the USTA website confirms 1975 as the year but I do not know what time of that year they effected the change.

Thanks:)

So do any of you experts know the actual date/month of the change from USLTA to USTA please?

[slice bh compliment]

Thanks:)

So do any of you experts know the actual date/month of the change from USLTA to USTA please?

I think you ought to ask the good people in White Plains. Mamaroneck Avenue office of the USTA.

[jimbo333]

I think you ought to ask the good people in White Plains. Mamaroneck Avenue office of the USTA.

Thanks, I might have to:)

I just thought that there is so much great knowledge here amongst all the TW historians, that they might know the answer, but clearly not:(

(Or they havn't read the thread:()

(Or decided not to tell me anyway:()