WIAA state tennis tourneys to stay in Madison through 2031

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has reached an agreement on a five-year extension of its contract with University of Wisconsin Madison Recreation & Wellbeing to have Nielsen Tennis Stadium serve as the site of the state boys’ and girls’ individual and team tournaments through 2031, the WIAA announced last week.

“Nielsen Tennis Stadium has served as an outstanding indoor facility for the membership’s state tournaments for more than 50 years, and we are excited to continue this rich tradition,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “Along with the support of UW Recreation & Wellbeing and the tennis community, the venue helps make these championships a great experience for student-athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators.”

Throughout its history, the facility has hosted many United States Tennis Association events and has served as the home of the WIAA state boys’ tournaments since 1973 and since 1974 for the state girls’ tournaments. Nielsen Tennis Stadium was opened in 1968 as one of the premiere tennis facilities in the country with 12 indoor tennis courts and seating for 1,500 spectators. 

“We are thrilled to announce that Nielsen Tennis Stadium will continue to host the WIAA State Tennis Championships through 2031, extending a tradition of excellence hosting the tournament at UW-Madison,” said Aaron Hobson, Executive Director of Recreation & Wellbeing at the University of Wisconsin Madison. “We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the state to our campus for many more years of exciting competition and memorable experiences.”

The stadium is named after Arthur C. Nielsen, a UW graduate who served as Wisconsin’s tennis team captain from 1916-18 and donated the finances to build the facility. Nielsen is renowned for creating the Nielsen TV ratings.  

The WIAA state girls’ individual tournament is traditionally held in mid-October with the state girls’ team tournament a week later. The state boys’ individual tournament is held in late May or early June with the boys’ state team tournament to follow a week later.