Gators welcome two in-state foes on Saturday and Sunday
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 9 Florida is scheduled to host FAU and USF on Saturday and Sunday with both matches beginning at 1 p.m. ET at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex. These matches will kick off the 2021 campaign.
On Saturday, the Owls come to Gainesville for the opening match of their season. The Gators are 6-0 all-time against FAU and defeated the Owls, 7-0, last season at home.
The Bulls will visit on Sunday for their first match of the season as well. All-time, UF is 50-3 over USF and won the most recent match last season, 4-0, in the ITA Kickoff Weekend Championships at home.
Florida returns nine players from last season’s team in addition to welcoming highly-rated Ben Shelton, who is the son of head coach Bryan Shelton, to the squad.
Following these two matchups, the Gators are scheduled to compete in the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Austin, Texas. UF will play No. 14 Oklahoma State at 10 a.m. ET on Friday followed by a date with either Arizona or hosts No. 6 Texas on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Florida tennis will follow COVID-19 safety protocols established by UF Health, campus leadership, the SEC Medical Guidance Task Force and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consistent with those guidelines, Florida tennis will maximize fan seating while maintaining proper physical distance.
* Admission is free at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex and general admission tickets will be available on a first come-first serve basis.
* Additionally, a small allotment of tickets will be available for player guests.
* There will be designated seating blocks for groups of two and four indicated by orange seats in the stands to ensure proper physical distancing.
* Each block has six feet of distance on all sides. The first rows of each section will be blocked off to create a clear and safer walkway for guests.
* In accordance with campus guidelines, face coverings (over the nose and mouth) will be required of all guests throughout the entire match. Failure to comply with this important health guideline could result in loss of attendance privileges.
* The complex will feature new signage to help reinforce safety measures and will also feature an increased number of hand sanitizer stations.
* Fans are encouraged to utilize clear bags to reduce touch points for entry gate staff.
* In the event of inclement weather, patrons will not be allowed into the indoor facility.
* Access to the tennis building or the court is not permitted for any patrons.
* No outside food or drink is allowed in the complex and the concession stand will remain open.
Follow along with the Gators on Facebook<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.com_GatorsTN_&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=AvV-OH7PgaQ-vhHs11FDPr1H_f1lwN424mA6OmelQMk&s=7aCz1JA1zxCPt2hIR0sAfOMxJtb1oZF86zUEdnWAzCs&e= >, Instagram<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.instagram.com_gatorsmtn_-3Fhl-3Den&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=AvV-OH7PgaQ-vhHs11FDPr1H_f1lwN424mA6OmelQMk&s=JpKe69ddGGiJBBbYGERIM6AsmRbSv1_4UU4HnNqifDw&e= >, Twitter<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_GatorsMTN-3Fref-5Fsrc-3Dtwsrc-255Egoogle-257Ctwcamp-255Eserp-257Ctwgr-255Eauthor&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=AvV-OH7PgaQ-vhHs11FDPr1H_f1lwN424mA6OmelQMk&s=Njc3lJaEX8qSdKlehUrxjVThMR0ATdFtyFqj_enKmkc&e= > and on the web at FloridaGators.com<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=AvV-OH7PgaQ-vhHs11FDPr1H_f1lwN424mA6OmelQMk&s=fouZq3c40GrYQehBA7I6v4k1FxSfAFpKWhzqaXI0qvQ&e= >.
