URBANA — The 2018-19 Illinois men's tennis season isn't getting underway this week, despite what the flurry of action at Atkins Tennis Center might suggest.
Instead, the facility is hosting an International Tennis Federation Futures event that began Tuesday. But this Fighting Illini Open is just as important to Illinois coach Brad Dancer as anything his crew achieves at the NCAA level.
"We look at it not so much about how it affects the college season," Dancer said prior to the first round of singles and doubles main draw action. "It's more about the transition into the pro ranks.