Lea Ma Among Inaugural Recipients of New ITA & ITF/WTA Partnership
September 21, 2023 | Women's Tennis
ATHENS, Ga. — Former Georgia Bulldog Lea Ma will be one of the inaugural recipients of the ITF/WTA College Accelerator Program amid a new partnership between the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).
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The new partnership will produce professional opportunities and create a path for college players to grow, compete and transition into the professional tennis sphere. With the program launching soon, the top five ranked players from the May 31, 2023 ITA women's singles rankings, as well as the NCAA women's singles champion and runner-up, will receive five main draw wild cards spots for various ITF competitions over the next 10 months.
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As qualifying former student-athletes who did not return to collegiate play, these recipients will be awarded main draw wild cards to one 60K, two 40Ks and two 25Ks. As for returnees, those who qualify will be awarded three ITF main draw wild cards in the form of one W60 and two W40 competitions.
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Ma, a 2023 All-American and first-team All-SEC honoree, finished the 2022-23 season ranked No. 3 in the nation and finished with a 32-8 overall record last season. A true competitor over four seasons with Georgia, Ma went 16-5 in the one slot and helped lead the Bulldogs to an SEC Tournament title and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament semifinals last season.
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"This is an absolutely wonderful development for the tennis ecosystem, confirming that college tennis is, in fact, a genuine pathway to the professional tours," said ITA Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Russell. "We appreciate the vision, leadership, and hard work on the part of our friends at the ITF and WTA in bringing this important program to life."
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Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Women's Tennis on X @UGAWomensTennis, on Instagram @UGAWomensTennis, and on Facebook @GeorgiaWomensTennis or check out information online at GeorgiaDogs.com.Â
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The new partnership will produce professional opportunities and create a path for college players to grow, compete and transition into the professional tennis sphere. With the program launching soon, the top five ranked players from the May 31, 2023 ITA women's singles rankings, as well as the NCAA women's singles champion and runner-up, will receive five main draw wild cards spots for various ITF competitions over the next 10 months.
Â
As qualifying former student-athletes who did not return to collegiate play, these recipients will be awarded main draw wild cards to one 60K, two 40Ks and two 25Ks. As for returnees, those who qualify will be awarded three ITF main draw wild cards in the form of one W60 and two W40 competitions.
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Ma, a 2023 All-American and first-team All-SEC honoree, finished the 2022-23 season ranked No. 3 in the nation and finished with a 32-8 overall record last season. A true competitor over four seasons with Georgia, Ma went 16-5 in the one slot and helped lead the Bulldogs to an SEC Tournament title and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament semifinals last season.
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"This is an absolutely wonderful development for the tennis ecosystem, confirming that college tennis is, in fact, a genuine pathway to the professional tours," said ITA Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Russell. "We appreciate the vision, leadership, and hard work on the part of our friends at the ITF and WTA in bringing this important program to life."
Â
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Women's Tennis on X @UGAWomensTennis, on Instagram @UGAWomensTennis, and on Facebook @GeorgiaWomensTennis or check out information online at GeorgiaDogs.com.Â
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