By Alexander Kulakov
From September 18–20, Upper Canada College welcomed 32 of Ontario’s competitive junior tennis players for the 2026 UCC Open, marking an important milestone for the school’s tennis community. Sanctioned by the Ontario Tennis Association (OTA), the tournament brought together boys and girls under the age of 18 to compete on UCC’s courts in a weekend of high-level tennis, community involvement, and charitable initiatives.
The UCC Open was originally founded in 2019 by UCC alumni Dmitry Kulakov ’22, with the goal of bringing competitive tennis to the school. After several years without the event, I took on the role of Tournament Director to revive the tournament and build upon that original vision. This year’s edition marked the first time UCC hosted an OTA-sanctioned tournament on its own courts, giving young athletes the opportunity to compete for provincial ranking points in a unique school setting.
Planning began in the spring, with months of preparation required to coordinate everything from tournament scheduling and player registration to sponsorships, officiating, and facilities. With the support of the OTA, the tournament featured a professional roving umpire to oversee matches and ensure a competitive and fair environment. The event also welcomed Performance Lab, a sports science and athletic performance centre, which offered players complimentary muscle-balance assessments using advanced force-plate technology.
While the competition was at the centre of the weekend, the tournament also aimed to make an impact beyond the tennis courts. Throughout the event, players and spectators were encouraged to donate gently used racquets and strings to the Philpott Children’s Tennis Foundation, a Toronto-based organization that helps make tennis accessible to children who might otherwise lack the opportunity to participate. The tournament also made a contribution to the Terry Fox Foundation, coinciding with UCC’s annual Terry Fox Run.
Another important objective was to give back to the school’s tennis program. With the assistance of corporate and individual sponsors, the tournament was able to cover its operational expenses, including equipment, trophies, officiating, and tournament software. All remaining proceeds were designated to support improvements to UCC’s tennis facilities, ensuring that the event would benefit not only its participants but also future generations of UCC tennis players.
Reviving the UCC Open was both a challenging and rewarding experience. Organizing a provincially sanctioned tournament required considerable preparation, problem-solving, and collaboration. However, seeing months of planning come together over the course of the weekend demonstrated what could be accomplished with the support of the school and the broader tennis community.
