Summer is heating up, and so are the opportunities on the court! With summer league registrations closing THIS WEEK for STL juniors and next week for adults, now's the time to secure your spot in Chicago and St. Louis. But that's not all—we've got an incredible coaching giveaway with Eddie De La Cruz, exclusive gear discounts, and amazing events supporting great causes. Whether you're looking to compete, improve your game, or give back to the community, this newsletter is packed with opportunities you won't want to miss.
SUMMER LEAGUES
Doubles and Mixed doubles closes Thursday, July 10!
STL Juniors closes Sunday, July 6!
REGISTER FOR CHI
ADULT DOUBLES | ADULT MIXED DOUBLES | ADULT SINGLES
REGISTER FOR STL
ADULT DOUBLES | ADULT MIXED DOUBLES | ADULT SINGLES | JR LATE SUMMER
Stay sharp this summer with flexible matches on your schedule, local opponents at your level, and official UTR tracking. Gladiator Summer Leagues welcome all players—and over 1,000 are already signed up.
START EARNING
Earn $25 for every referral of a new Gladiator you use through your referral link! Learn more and start earning now.
ENTER TO WIN COACHING!
We're partnering with Drop Shotz DLC to offer lucky adult Chicagoland Gladiators a complimentary private hour-long tennis lesson with renowned coach and Gladiator player Eddie De La Cruz! Boost your skills, get personalized coaching, and become a featured player on our social media. Enter today for your shot at the spotlight!
JULY EVENTS
WILL FREIBURGER "CHOOSE HAPPY" DOUBLES TOURNAMENT
WHEN/WHERE:
Saturday, July 12, from 8–11:30 AM at BHS courts
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
July 5 PRICE: Registration is $25/person and open until July 5 or until we reach 32 teams.
CAUSE:
Proceeds benefit the William Freiburger Scholarship Fund, supporting graduating seniors at Batavia High School and honoring the life of Will Freiburger, a beloved Batavia High School player who passed away suddenly in 2018 from a brain aneurysm. Known for his positivity, work ethic, and motto to "Choose Happy," Will inspired everyone around him.
CHECKS/DONATIONS:
Payable to Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence (memo: William Freiburger Scholarship).
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SERVING UP AGAINST HOMELESSNESS: BRIDGE COMMUNITIES PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
WHEN/WHERE:
Saturday, July 26 at Pickled! Wheaton. Register by July 19 CAUSE: Help raise funds for families overcoming homelessness.
DETAILS:
Enjoy refreshments, win prizes, and compete for glory—all while making a difference. Mixed doubles encouraged. Play for trophies, gift cards & more! All players receive special gift.
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LET'S TENNIS AT GALLAGHER WAY: VOLUNTEER WITH USTA
WHEN/WHERE:
Gallagher Way between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. July 12
DETAILS:
Free tennis games and activities for all ages. Grab your friends, hit the short courts and soak up the action. Plus, catch the pros live from Wimbledon on the big screen outside Wrigley Field. No registration required.
VOLUNTEER:
Help facilitate the event and receive a free Gladiator shirt!
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CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER BILLIE JEAN: 20% OFF
WHEN:
This summer, Chicago Shakespeare Theater is serving up the highly anticipated world premiere of BILLIE JEAN (July 18–August 10)
WHAT:
A powerful new play about Billie Jean King—tennis legend, trailblazer, and equality icon. BILLIE JEAN follows her rise to fame, her fight for equal rights, and the personal sacrifices behind her public victories.
PROMO:
Book with promo code LEGEND to unlock 20% off tickets to any August performance
QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS
Want to make the playoffs at the end of the summer? Division winners from all outdoor leagues automatically qualify to compete, and wildcard spots are awarded to players with the most cumulative points throughout the season. The best way to get more points is to play more matches! Sign up for the next two outdoor seasons to improve your chances of competing.
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE REVIEW
See what Gladiators are saying about the Digital Experience:
“I like that you can put your availability now. That’s a really great feature so it makes it a lot easier to schedule matches…that’s probably the thing I like the best and then I like that it syncs with the UTR so you get a live update on what your UTR rating is after every few matches.”
- Arvin Gallanosa
