USTA Northern will be putting together a quarterly frequently asked questions segment directed at junior tournament players and their parents. If you have specific questions, please contact USTA Northern at 952-887-5001 or e-mail Pat Colbert at colbert@northern.usta.com.
Q. Can I enter more than one tournament during the same time period in any age group or level?
A. No. A player cannot be entered in more than one sanctioned tournament, when entries close, unless each tournament committee approves the multiple entries in writing. Being entered in more than one sanctioned tournament when entries close will result in 5 suspension points, under "USTA Suspension Points Table 19, pg 183, 2008 FAC".
Q. How do I get started
playing junior tournaments?
A. USTA Northern is comprised of 3 ½ states (Minnesota, North & South Dakota and Northwestern Wisconsin). Within these 3 ½ states, there are many opportunities for juniors to play sanctioned (for ranking points) and non-ranking tournaments. There are 3 levels that a player can participate in: Championship, Challenger 1 and Challenger 2.
All information relative to junior tennis is posted on the "Youth" home page of the USTA Northern web site. Here you will find updates, current information and news. Under the "Youth" link you will a link for "Tournaments" to the right of that will be a link for "Tournament Registration". By clicking this link, you will be able to pull up the entire USTA Northern Junior Schedule, as well as the National Tournament Schedule. Each tournament will have its own home page which gives all the information relative to that particular tournament. The entire list of 2008 tournaments is also available via the Junior Tournament Book located on the front page of
www.northern.usta.com.
Q. What is the difference between Championship, Challenger 1 and Challenger 2 tournaments?
A. In playing at the Championship level, you will typically find the very best players in USTA Northern. There are four levels within the Championship structure: Level 3 (our highest level tournament), Level 4 (limited to draws of 16 in each age group), Level 5 (8 level 5’s are spread throughout the Section) and Level 6. Typically players that play at the Championship level are playing for ranking points. Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 tournament points count towards a player's USTA National Ranking.
At the Challenger 1 level you will find players that have had tennis experience or are in the process of making that transition to the Championship level.
At the Challenger 2 level you will find most players are just getting started for the first time in tournament play.
USTA membership ($18) is required for all Championship and Challenger 1 tournaments. For Challenger 2 tournaments, membership is not required. Membership can be purchased through a simple online process at www.usta.com and clicking on "membership".
Q. Why do some tournaments start earlier in the week and the day than other tournaments?
A. A player may see an earlier start time during the winter months or indoor tournament season due to a number of different factors. Over the past four years, junior tournament play has been up by an average of 8% per year. Combine that with a loss of indoor courts, especially in the metro area, and this puts pressure on the amount of courts available for tournament play. Add to the mix, USTA Adult League play, facility demands, etc., and the simple fact that more people are playing tennis than ever before, we do have a crunch for indoor court time. All tournament directors are well aware of this and are doing the best they can to accommodate all players and their needs when possible. The Section is aware of this and looking at some possible solutions to this issue. The positive side, is that we have more people playing tennis!
Q. If I am a high school player what level tournament should I play?
A. This can be subjective and depends partially on what the player’s goals are. If a player has match-play experience, Challenger 1 or Championship Level 6 is a good place to start, to gauge your level of play and how you compare to others. It is best to check the tournament schedule at www.northern.usta.com to see what tournaments are available during the year. Remember you cannot play tournament during your high school season without a waiver from your high school association. Please contact them for more information.
Q. If I have to pull out of a tournament will there be a penalty?
A. Yes. For anything other than an injury, 5 suspension points will be given (Friend at Court – Tennis Rules – Table 19, page 183). Receiving 10 suspension points in a calendar year will result in being suspended for 8 weeks from tournament play and no ranking for the yea
Q. If someone defaults/withdraws out of a tournament, can I still receive Significant Win Points if they were in the top 10?
A. No. Significant Win Points are awarded only when a player plays. If a player were to "retire" during the course of a match, the player in question would receive Significant Win Points. Beating a Top-5 player results in 25 Significant Win Points. A win over a player ranked 6-10, results in 12 additional points.
Q. How many tournaments does the ranking system count?
A. The ranking system takes into account a players six (6) best tournaments in singles and their six (6) best tournaments in doubles when calculating the combined ranking. This is over the course of a 12 month/rolling calendar, this is also why a player will see tournaments drop off their player record.
Establishing a "Championship" ranking helps to position players on a Section ranking list, as well as a national rankings list. Why is this important? For those juniors that want to go on and play college tennis, this is the one consistent list that college coaches use when recruiting players for all divisions.
Q. Are national tournaments and doubles tournaments factored into a player’s section ranking?
A. Yes. As of January 1, 2008, USTA Northern publishes a combined rankings list, taking into account a player's singles and doubles play. A player receives credit for 100% of their singles points and 15% of their doubles points to give them a combined ranking. If a national tournament, on the national junior schedule, turns out to be one of the six (6) best tournaments in that player's record over the 12-month period, then yes, that tournament will count in calculating that player's ranking.
Q. When do I have to move up ("age up") to the next group?
A. USTA Northern goes by "month of birth," meaning a player must play up in the next highest age group once the month of their birthday hits. It is also a good idea to plan ahead, play some tournaments in the next age group in order to accumulate some points, so a player does not start off in the new age group with zero points.