Smith Qualifies for ATP Next Gen Accelerator – University of Arizona Athletics

TUCSON – Arizona junior Colton Smith has qualified for the ATP Next Gen Accelerator by advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2024 NCAA Singles Championships. 

Smith is one of 21 college players to qualify. The ATP Next Gen Accelerator program was developed to increase the development pathway for top players in the American Collegiate system. Following the NCAA Championships, players qualified based on their year-end ranking and/or performance in the NCAA Championships.

Players ranked in the Top 20 of the ITA final singles rankings who have finished their education are granted up to eight Accelerator Spots at Challenger 50 and 75 tournaments, with opportunities split between main draw (for Top 10 ITA ranked players) and qualifying (11-20) while players who qualify for the program and will continue their education will receive six opportunities over six months (July–December).

Smith made an impressive run to the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Championships, capping off a record-setting junior season. He set the Arizona record for single-season singles wins, tallying 34, and tied with Jay Friend to set the program single-dual-season doubles wins record (20) and single-season overall doubles wins record (30). He became the program’s first All-American since 2006 with his NCAA Singles Championships run and earned Pac-12 Doubles Team of the Year honors alongside Friend. The duo is the first pair from Arizona to win the conference award. He defeated 19 nationally-ranked opponents in his junior campaign and attained All-Pac-12 First Team accoaldes for the second consecutive season.