Originally created as a response to the disruption of the professional tennis season due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[1] the UTS has since taken place every year except in 2022.

After a two-year absence, UTS returned in July 2023 with a series of three events in the United States, Germany, and South Korea, designed to culminate in a new "Grand Final" at the end of the season, which took place at The ICC London, United Kingdom.

All events use a modified scoring format, with matches divided into timed quarters.

Among the features UTS has built into the tournament to differentiate the game are "bonus cards" that can affect the amount of points a player can accrue within a quarter.

UTS matches use a different format in comparison to traditional rules, including matches being divided into timed quarters rather than sets, a 15-second shot clock for serves and the ability to take a coaching timeout once per-set, and "cards" — which allow players to affect the game (such as taking away the opponent's second serve).