What has changed?
Previously, the USTA League was divided into Adult (18 & Over), Senior (50 & Over), Super Senior (60 & Over and 70 & Over), Mixed Doubles (18 & Over), Senior Mixed (50 & Over), Combo Doubles (18 & Over), Senior Combo Doubles (50 & Over) and Super Senior Combo Doubles (60 & Over).
The Adult Division was singles and doubles, while the Senior, Super Senior, Mixed Doubles, and Combo Doubles were played as solely doubles matches.
The new structure has just three divisions—Adult, Mixed Doubles, and Combo Doubles. The Adult Division iscomposed of 18 & Over, 40 & Over, 55 & Over and 65 & over; the 18 & Over and the 40 & Over features both singles and doubles, while the 55 & Over and 65 & over is solely doubles. The Mixed Doubles Division is comprised of the 18 & Over and 40 & Over levels. The increasingly popular Combo Doubles division mirrors the Adult Division with the 18 & Over, 40 & Over and 55 & Over levels.
As before, participants will continue to compete at their NTRP level for each category.
back to top
Are the new Leagues being added to the existing Leagues?
No. The previous League structure is being replaced with the new age realignment structure as per the divisions and age groupings detailed at right.
back to top
Why did the USTA make this change?
The decision to change the structure was made to better distribute USTA League participants among the three age categories—previously, the vast majority of USTA League participants fell in the "Adult" category (18 & Over), with far fewer in the "Senior" (50 & Over) and "Super Senior" (60 & Over) categories—and to better align participants with players their own age.
Existing data research, player surveys and player focus groups clearly indicated a need for age restructuring in order to provide more and better play opportunities, both for competitive and social reasons. Under the old model, players were of the same ability but not necessarily of the same playing style or fitness level. The restructuring guarantees more frequency of play opportunities at more appropriate age divisions.
back to top
What are the benefits of making this change?
Research indicates that age restructuring should provide the majority of players with additional play opportunities and produce more competitive match play, which will result in more accurate ratings. The changes also allow players to play in more homogenous groupings should they so choose. (That is, older players will retain the option of playing in the younger age levels while now also having a group reserved for those closer to their age.)
back to top
What divisions have State, Section and National Championships?
| Adult 18 & Over |
State, Sectional and National Championships
National Invitational Tournament for 5.5
|
| Adult 40 & Over |
State, Sectional and National Championships |
| Adult 55 & Over |
State, Sectional and National Championships |
| Adult 65 & Over |
State and Sectional Championships |
| Adult 75 & Over |
State Championships |
| Mixed 18 & Over |
State, Sectional and National Championships |
| Mixed 40 & Over |
State amd Sectional Championships
National Invitational Tournament
|
| Mixed 55 & Over |
State Championships |
| Combo 18 & Above |
State and Sectional Championships |
| Combo 40 & Above |
State and Sectional Championships |
| Combo 55 & Above |
State and Sectional Championships |
back to top
What is the 5.0+ level for the Adult 18 and Over League?
The 5.0+ level allows two 5.5 players to join a 5.0+ team. If a Local League format utilizes three courts during a team match, then only one 5.5 player may play in the team match. If a Local League format utilizes four or more courts during a team match, then both 5.5 players may play in the team match. The 5.5 players must play in the #1 position on the scorecard in either singles or doubles. Neither 5.5 player can play #2 position in singles or doubles.
back to top
What is the 4.5+ level for the Adult 40 and Over League?
The 4.5+ level allows two 5.0 players to join a 4.5+ team. If a Local League format utilizes three courts during a team match, then only one 5.0 player may play in the team match. If a Local League format utilizes four or more courts during a team match, then both 5.0 players may play in the team match. The 5.0 players must play in the #1 position on the scorecard in either singles or doubles. Neither 5.0 player can play #2 position in singles or doubles.
back to top
What is the 9.0 combined level mean in the Adult 55 and Over League?
USTA Southern will use straight levels for 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 levels for the Adult 55 and Over League. For the top tier, 9.0 combined will be used to allow 5.0 an opportunity to play in a league. For example, a 4.5 and a 4.5 can play together and a 4.0 and a 5.0 can play together.
back to top
Can't find what you are looking for?