Help Korey Lovett Turn Pro
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Since I began playing tennis, it has always been my dream to play professional tennis. One moment that sticks out in particular is my experience x years ago at the Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas. I got personal with the players, meeting the players, getting to know their stories. This was the moment I decided I wanted to try and play professionally.
My goals haven’t really changed since then, and now that I’ve graduated, its time to pursue that dream of playing professional tennis. I’m excited to see where this journey will take me, but I can’t do it alone. Any donation to help my dream come true would be deeply appreciated. I will keep everyone in the loop, if they’d like to know how its going. Thank you again!
-Korey
Our All-American Boy is Turning Pro
Help Korey Lovett reach his dreams!
Two-Time College All-American
“Korey is the best college doubles player today,” says John Roddick, UCF Coach and former touringcoach to brother, Andy Roddick. Korey and his partner were ranked as high as #3 in 2018, finally losing a fiercely contested match to the eventual NCAA Doubles Champions, UCLA.
This wasn’t Korey’s first time being ranked for doubles; he previously reached #6 as an All-American at Alabama in 2016. Success in doubles with two different partners in two different years with two different schools speaks to his doubles skills. Korey uses both size and agility to dominant a doubles match. At 6’ 4” he has a cannon for a serve and a world class forehand -- all backed up by “sick volleys,” according to Vanderbilt players observing the NCAA tennis championship.
Korey is also a force to be reckoned with in singles matches. He reached as high as #23 in 2018 afterfinishing #31 in 2017. Korey was a five-star high school recruit after winning the 2014 BB&T Atlanta OpenWild Card Challenge in singles, earning a wild card into the doubles draw.
Transitioning from All-American to Tennis Pro
As graduation nears, preparations begin for the two different levels of the USTA Pro Circuit: Futures ($25,000 purse) and Challengers ($50,000 purse). The Futures have a 32 slot main draw with a 64 slot qualifying draw, while the Challengers have a 32 qualifying draw. Rankings determine the entries into the Pro Circuit events, and all roads from the USTA Pro Circuit lead to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
As for doubles, there is a 16 slot main draw on the USTA Pro Circuit. Korey will pair up with main drawparticipants as well as seeking wild cards. In addition, Korey will be playing in money tournaments andtennis club pro events such as the Firehouse $12,500 Doubles where the UCF pair were runners-up in preparation for the NCAA tournament.
The Costs of Turning Pro
The USTA states that the average benefit for a tennis scholarship at a top college program is $94,000 annually. This approximation factors in the costs of coaching, training, travel, equipment and education. Looking forward, the expenses on the 40-week ATP tour start around $250,000. Fortunately, the USTA Pro Circuit is considerably less, but still not cheap. Expenses could run around $143,000 a year with coaching/training, or $60,000 without these expenses, depending upon the number of tournament weeks and provided housing. Here are the following annual expenses provided by the USTA for 20 tournaments:
Travel & Food: $60,000
Coaching & Physical/Mental Training: $83,000
Strings & Rackets: $5,000
Other Living Expenses: $30,000
Korey would like to remain in Florida with access to the USTA National Campus after summer graduation. This will give him access to good climate, competition and free coaching, effectively eliminating the $83,000.
My goals haven’t really changed since then, and now that I’ve graduated, its time to pursue that dream of playing professional tennis. I’m excited to see where this journey will take me, but I can’t do it alone. Any donation to help my dream come true would be deeply appreciated. I will keep everyone in the loop, if they’d like to know how its going. Thank you again!
-Korey
Our All-American Boy is Turning Pro
Help Korey Lovett reach his dreams!
Two-Time College All-American
“Korey is the best college doubles player today,” says John Roddick, UCF Coach and former touringcoach to brother, Andy Roddick. Korey and his partner were ranked as high as #3 in 2018, finally losing a fiercely contested match to the eventual NCAA Doubles Champions, UCLA.
This wasn’t Korey’s first time being ranked for doubles; he previously reached #6 as an All-American at Alabama in 2016. Success in doubles with two different partners in two different years with two different schools speaks to his doubles skills. Korey uses both size and agility to dominant a doubles match. At 6’ 4” he has a cannon for a serve and a world class forehand -- all backed up by “sick volleys,” according to Vanderbilt players observing the NCAA tennis championship.
Korey is also a force to be reckoned with in singles matches. He reached as high as #23 in 2018 afterfinishing #31 in 2017. Korey was a five-star high school recruit after winning the 2014 BB&T Atlanta OpenWild Card Challenge in singles, earning a wild card into the doubles draw.
Transitioning from All-American to Tennis Pro
As graduation nears, preparations begin for the two different levels of the USTA Pro Circuit: Futures ($25,000 purse) and Challengers ($50,000 purse). The Futures have a 32 slot main draw with a 64 slot qualifying draw, while the Challengers have a 32 qualifying draw. Rankings determine the entries into the Pro Circuit events, and all roads from the USTA Pro Circuit lead to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
As for doubles, there is a 16 slot main draw on the USTA Pro Circuit. Korey will pair up with main drawparticipants as well as seeking wild cards. In addition, Korey will be playing in money tournaments andtennis club pro events such as the Firehouse $12,500 Doubles where the UCF pair were runners-up in preparation for the NCAA tournament.
The Costs of Turning Pro
The USTA states that the average benefit for a tennis scholarship at a top college program is $94,000 annually. This approximation factors in the costs of coaching, training, travel, equipment and education. Looking forward, the expenses on the 40-week ATP tour start around $250,000. Fortunately, the USTA Pro Circuit is considerably less, but still not cheap. Expenses could run around $143,000 a year with coaching/training, or $60,000 without these expenses, depending upon the number of tournament weeks and provided housing. Here are the following annual expenses provided by the USTA for 20 tournaments:
Travel & Food: $60,000
Coaching & Physical/Mental Training: $83,000
Strings & Rackets: $5,000
Other Living Expenses: $30,000
Korey would like to remain in Florida with access to the USTA National Campus after summer graduation. This will give him access to good climate, competition and free coaching, effectively eliminating the $83,000.
Fundraising team (2)
Page Smith
Organizer
Fox Ridge, NC
Korey Lovett
Beneficiary
Kent Smith
Team member
