UTS 2024: What Happened In Oslo?

If you are just discovering the event that is UTS, (Ultimate Tennis Showdown) then you’d be forgiven for not already knowing. It’s the globe’s newest, innovative tennis league that is taking the world by storm, aimed to appeal, excite and inspire a younger generation of tennis fans through its interactive, informal and fast-paced nature.

But fear not, as in this article we will break down what happened at the Oslo UTS event earlier this year, highlight some of the most notable performers, and look towards the future at the next UTS event in New York.

UTS Oslo in Review

Taking place back in February, the UTS Oslo event saw plenty of high-octane action, incredible tennis, and many memorable moments.

In total, eight players were penciled in to play in the three-day event, each with their own quirky nickname:
● Alexander “The Bublik Enemy” Bublik
● Alex “The Demon” de Minaur
● Andrey “Rublo” Rublev
● Gael “La Monf” Monfils
● Dominic “Thieminho” Thiem
● Benoit “The Rebel” Paire
● Holger “The Viking” Rune
● Casper “The Ice Man” Ruud

However, due to Dominic Thiem’s withdrawal, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, a 17-year-old Norwegian junior, stepped in at the last minute to fill the lineup, giving the local fans another player to cheer on from the stands.

With 10,000 of them looking on, Andrey Rublev successfully overcame Alex de Minaur in a fantastic final, winning his second championship in the process.
The win also ensured that Rublev secured a spot in the 2024 UTS Grand Final (taking place in London) thanks to his brilliance in serving and returning.

However, Gael Monfils was disqualified and consequently replaced by Lucas Pouille after receiving a code of conduct violation.

The Standout Performers

The event also had several key performers, each for their own reasons who dominated the court.

Andrey Rublev

You can’t have a list of best performers without mentioning the winner of the overall event! Rublev showcased his brilliant skills throughout the tournament at every stage, and even from the early rounds he looked like he would be tough to beat.
That observation was proven true when he eventually won the whole event, booking his ticket to the highly lucrative Grand Final in London this December.

Alex de Minaur

Alex de Minaur also deserves an honorary mention after working hard to reach the finals, predominantly in his incredible clash with Casper Ruud.
Throughout the tournament, de Minaur showed strong resilience and skill and was a more than formidable foe to overcome in the final.

Nicolai Budkov Kjaer

However, possibly the most notable performer at UTS Oslo would have to be Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. The 17-year-old Norwegian stepped in at the last minute for Dominic Thiem, but you wouldn’t have guessed that from watching him play.
Kjaer played with freedom and confidence, showing that he is likely to have a very successful career over the coming years.

The crowd were on their feet throughout the all-Norway clash between Ruud and Kjaer, a small glimpse into the now and the future of Norwegian tennis. If this match didn’t epitomise what UTS is all about then we don’t know what will!

Despite losing to Ruud, his Norwegian senior was quick to praise the young prospect, stating, “He’s already a great player. He pushed me, and I pushed him. Two quarters went in my favour but could have gone both ways.”

UTS New York: What to Watch Out For

So, what’s next for the UTS tour? Well, the next event is UTS New York, an event that certainly won’t disappoint, given the passionate local American fanbase and talent on show at the legendary Forest Hills Stadium, home to the US Open for the last 60 years.

As it stands, the participants are as follows:
● Nick Kyrgios
● Andrey Rublev
● Casper Ruud
● Gaël Monfils
● Alex De Minaur
● Alexander Bublik
● Denis Shapovalov

Expect to see Andrey Rublev competing once more, trying to aim for a back-to-back win after his Oslo victory, alongside Alex de Minaur, who will want to go one better than his Oslo outing and win the entire event.

Plus, after getting disqualified in Oslo, how will Gael Monfils perform? Will he be fired up and focused on redemption and take a win?

Nick Kyrios will surely put on a show for the crowd with his mid-match commentary and player interviews with the coach during breaks. His incredible tennis ability will be a treat for fans to watch - we could be in for a fiery and exciting event for sure!

Lastly, with one male participant still to be announced, who will round out this incredible lineup?

We will know for sure when the event kicks off on August 22nd. Make sure you stay tuned for our tournament review. Or, if you want to witness the action for yourself at the Grand Final in London in December 2024, then explore our experiences here.