Important Information

All juniors seeking endorsement to the USTA National Championships in 2011, should read this information very carefully. Discuss the contents with your parents and/or your coach to be sure you understand all these important procedures. Further information is available at www.southerntennis.com.

 

 

Now is a good time for you to become familiar with the USTA/Southern Section rules, regulations and requirements. You will find them at southerntennis.com.

 

A complete listing of national level tournaments can be found at www.usta.com. The requirements to obtain a USTA National ranking, may also be found at www.usta.com.

 

The standings is a system combining singles and doubles results. Your standing will be based on 100% of your singles totals (best 6 tournament results) and 15% of your doubles totals (best 6 tournament results). This listing will include results of the past 12 months as usual.

 

Endorsement List: Points are earned only in the age group played and are not applied, if eligible, to the lower age group. Bonus points are earned only in the age group played and are not applied, if eligible, to the lower age group. Bonus points are only awarded for defeating players in the age group of division being played. The best six tournaments in that age group apply.

 

1) Summer National Championships. Minimum requirements are one Bullfrog USTA Southern Section Designated tournament and the Southern Junior Closed in June, in the age group for which endorsement is sought.

2) Spring & Winter National Championships. Minimum requirements are a combination of two (2) Southern Championships and/or Bullfrog USTA Southern Section Designated tournaments in the age group for which endorsement is sought.

3) 12, 14, and 16 Zonals. Any player who has played in the Southern Closed in the applicable age group, and whose Southern standing is within the endorsed group. The endorsed group to be determined at 2011 USTA Annual Meeting.

 

National Championship Selection List

Players may also qualify through the National Championship Selection List (NCSL). This list will include up to 24 players for 192 draws and up to 16 players for 128 draws. Players within these lists will also include those players with qualifying ATP, WTA, & ITF rankings.

 

Southern players applying for participation in the National Zonals must apply through the online registration system. Please check web site after May 1st for further details at www.southerntennis.com.

 

Information for each tournament will be available at southerntennis.com and then click on TennisLink "For Tournaments" Go to the individual tournament’s posting to get complete information.

1. Registration for all USTA National Championships must be performed using the USTA on-line entry system (TennisLink) at www.southerntennis.com.

2. Be sure all contact information is posted correctly during the entry/selection process.

 

2011 USTA/Southern Section Quotas for USTA Nationals

Clay & Hard Courts for 14-18’s 23

Spring & Winter for 14-18’s 13

ALL Nationals for 12’s 13

 

When you accept entry to one of the National or Zone Team tournaments, it is your responsibility to appear. If you decide to drop out before the entry deadline, please inform the USTA Southern office immediately so that another Southern player can be added to the in-quota list. If it is necessary for you to withdraw from a tournament after the entry deadline, please notify the tournament director and USTA Southern office immediately.

Alternates to the Nationals should follow the online instructions. It is conceivable that some alternates may be accepted at the last minute to fill spots resulting from last minute withdrawals. If you decide not to take the chance and wait, and move to enter another tournament, you must contact the tournament director and withdraw your name from the alternate list first, before entering the next tournament. Please be sure that the USTA Southern office knows where and how to reach you. The USTA Zonal alternates should follow the USTA Southern office instructions.

 

The National Open Championships will use online registration ONLY. SECTIONAL ENDORSEMENT IS NOT REQUIRED. The top 2 singles finishers qualify into the next National Championship. The doubles finalists will be endorsed to compete in the Doubles of the next National Championship. Those doubles players may get on the on-site alternate list for singles. Four National Opens will be held simultaneously. Players may enter from one to four of the National Opens with their acceptance based on their position in the current USTA Seeding/Selection list.

 

There are a number of special events for juniors that involve selection of players by the USTA/Southern Section and/or your State Association. For details on entry, please check southerntennis.com after March 15th. These include the following:

 

USTA 16 Intersectional Team Championships—up to 4 boys & 4 girls

USTA National Boy’s Team Championship---up to 7 boys

USTA National Girl’s Team Championship---up to 7 girls

Bullfrog/Southern Junior Cup 14-18---by State selection

Bullfrog/Southern Junior Cup 12’s —by State selection

Player Developmental Camps – by State selection

World Team Tennis Junior Nationals – 3 Boys and 3 Girls (16 & 18’s)

 

Selections are based on current standings and records. 1/8 of the draw will be from the top 80 (top 40 for a 32 draw) from the younger age group. This does not apply to any Southern Championships.

 

Draws will be limited to the top 64 players entering, based on current standings and records. 1/8 of the 64 will be from the top 80 from the younger age group. This does not apply to any of the Southern Championships. PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE EARLY!

 

SIGNING UP FOR MORE THAN ONE DIVISION IN A TOURNAMENT

Players are allowed to enter two divisions in Southern Level 3 and BullFrog tournaments with these guidelines:

1. Players selected to both age divisions they apply for will automatically be selected in the older age division. They would be removed from the other age division.

2. Players not selected to either division would remain on the alternates list for both divisions but would be obligated to play the division they first get in from the alternates list. They would be removed from the alternates list in the other division.

3. Players selected to one age division would be removed from the alternates list of the division they were not selected.

4. Once a player is selected for any one division, no changes can be made.

5. USTA BullFrog Designated events that are split (two sites) are considered as one event and therefore entering both is acceptable. Selection will be based on points 1-4 above.

PLEASE NOTE THIS (entering two divisions) IS FOR SOUTHERN LEVEL 3 AND BULLFROG TOURNAMENTS ONLY AND DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN ENTER MORE THAN ONE TOURNAMENT FOR THE SAME DATES.

 

Waivers are given on a HIGHLY selective basis. Decisions on waivers will be made by the Southern Junior Tennis Waiver Sub-Committee by a majority vote.

 

1. A request for waiver must be made to the Southern office to the attention of Sandy Hastings, USTA Southern Section, 5685 Spalding Drive, Norcross, GA 30092, or hastings@sta.usta.com, or fax to 770-368-9091. The waiver request form can be downloaded at www.southerntennis.com…Junior Tournaments/Ranking…Endorsers. The waiver request form must be submitted by email, fax, or letter, by the waiver deadline (one week before tournament deadline) and be received at the Southern office no later than 2:00PM Eastern Time on that day.

a. The following information must be included on the request:

i. Player name as it appears in the Southern Junior database

ii. Birth date

iii. Age/Gender Division for which the waiver request is being submitted

iv. Tournament for which the waiver request is being submitted

v. Documentation and information to support the waiver request

vi. USTA Number

(Please refer to www.southertennis.com under Endorsement for more specific details.)

 

A player shall not, when entries close, be entered in two or more sanctioned tournaments if any part of the tournaments overlap, unless each Tournament Committee involved, understands the situation and concurs in writing. Two suspension points for first violation and five for any violation thereafter..

 

The selection of players for the National Team Championships and Intersectional Team Championships will be done by the Junior Competition Team Selection Subcommittee. Information considered will be National Standings, Southern Standings, player records, and player conduct throughout the year.

The selection of players for the Southern Junior Cup is done by the individual State.

 

One final word is most worthy for you to consider. Your conduct and deportment on and off the court should always be to the highest standards of good sportsmanship. Playing tournament tennis has many rewards but requires many sacrifices on your part and that of your parents. As your playing ability improves you develop a reputation among your peers, tournament officials, tennis administrators, parents, coaches and spectators. The vast majority of your matches will be played without umpires and that requires the players to call the lines. Be unfailingly fair to your opponent and follow the guidance of "The Code" in all situations. The USTA/Southern Section and its nine States are dedicated to insuring that all our player members are true sportsmen. Exhibit the best in sportsmanship on and off the court.

 

** Any of the previous information is subject to change per Junior Competition Committee Vote.

 

Quotas are determined by the States Junior Membership and are used for entries into the Southern Closed (June). Players must enter the Southern Closed (June) online and be endorsed by their State.

 

Quota: For 64 Draw- 5 128 Draw- 9, 160 Draw-11

William Fain

 

It is mandatory that players play in the Alabama Junior State Qualifying Championships, in the singles age division they want to be endorsed into the USTA Southern Junior Closed. To be on Alabama’s list of endorsed players does not guarantee entry into the Closed. It is all players’ responsibility to enter the Southern Closed prior to the deadline to be considered. (In special circumstances, the Alabama Junior Competition Committee may grant a waiver, said waiver request must be made at the earliest time possible and let it be known in advance that the Committee has a long history of not granting said waivers, as it feels the importance of participating in our Qualifier is top priority.). With that said it is Alabama's responsibility to send the strongest quota of players in each age division, based on the results in the qualifier we will select players on the following criteria; for the B/G 14-18's the 4 semi finalist in the main and the 4 semi finalist in the back draw are selected automatically, for the B/G 12's the 4 Semi Finalist in the main draw and the 2 finalist in the back draw are automatically selected, for the B/G 10's the 2 Finalist in the main draw are automatically selected and the remaining quota spots in each age division will be determined by the Alabama Junior Competition Committee based on all USTA National, Sectional and District ranking/standing information available, as well as recent head to head results.

 

Quota: For 64 Draw- 3, 128 Draw -6, 160 Draw- 8

Rosemary Cornett

Michael Morse

 

The player must play in the Arkansas Junior Qualifying in the age division the player wishes to be considered for the State Quota to the Southern Closed Championships. Participation in the State Qualifying is mandatory unless waived in advance by the Waiver Committee.

Selection for five slots per division (other than 10s and 12’s) will be based on the top five finishers in the State Qualifying. In the 10’s age division, two slots will be filled based on the top two finishers in the State Qualifying. In the 12’s age division four slots will be filled based on the top four finishers in the State Qualifying. All other slots will be filled based on the strength of a player’s current tournament record. National, Southern, and State records will be considered.

Any Southern quota spots which cannot be filled by a player in that age division can be filled by a player in a lower age division, if that player was not endorsed in a lower division.

 

Quota: For 64 Draw- 19,128 Draw-38, 160 Draw- 40

State Selectors: USTA Georgia Office:

Rick Davison: davison@gatennis.com 404-256-9543 x103

Barbara Berman berman@gatennis.com 404-256-9543 x105

 

Juniors are selected from the USTA Georgia State Junior Closed Qualifying, unless an approved waiver has been granted. Players must play the Qualifying in the age division they want to be endorsed to the USTA Southern Junior Closed. (Example: A player who plays up in the 14’s in the Qualifying is not eligible to be endorsed to the USTA Southern Closed in the 12’s. The players must be endorsed in the 14’s.)

Selection criteria:

BG 10: The 32 highest-ranked players (including waivers) who have competed in the Qualifying and who applied to the USTA Southern Junior Closed will be selected from the Qualifying to fill the USTA Georgia quota. The major consideration for selection will be the June 9,2011 USTA Georgia Standings.

BG 12-18: Players who reach the round of 16 at the Qualifying and who apply to the USTA Southern Junior Closed will automatically be selected. The remaining players, including any waived players, who apply to the USTA Southern Junior Closed will be selected from the Qualifying to fill the USTA Georgia quota. The major consideration for selection will be the June 9, 2011 USTA Georgia Standings.

 

Quota: For 64 Draw- 5, 128 Draw- 9, 160 Draw-11

Kentucky Junior Competition Committee

 

The player must play in the Joe Creason Kentucky State Qualifier in the age division the player wishes to be considered for the State Quota to the Southern Closed Championships. Participation in the Joe Creason Kentucky State Qualifier is mandatory unless waived in advance by the Kentucky Junior Competition Committee.

Selection for six slots per division will be based on the top six finishers in singles (the four semifinalists and the feed-in consolation winner and feed-in consolation finalist) in the Joe Creason Kentucky State Qualifier. All other slots will be filled based on a current National, Southern, and State standings and performance in the Creason. The committee may also review the strength of a player’s current tournament record, caliber of wins, and head-to-head matches.

 

Quota: For 64 Draw- 4, 128 Draw- 9 160 Draw-11

Rob Worley

 

SOUTHERN CLOSED: To qualify for the Southern Closed, a junior

player must play the Louisiana State Closed Junior Qualifying tournament.

a. The four semi-finalists in the main draw and the winner (5th)

and the runner-up (6th) of the consolation draw are automatically

selected. Selection of the remaining eligible players for LA's quota

will be based primarily on a player's tournament record (national,

sectional, and state events for the previous eleven months) against other Louisiana players in the age division under consideration. Other factors such as player

exposure (number of matches and events played), head-to-head matches, the

caliber of wins and the player's performance at the LA Qualifier may

also be considered. Those players not endorsed, but who have submitted

applications for endorsement, shall be identified as alternates.

Endorsement criteria for the Southern Closed

b. Entry to the Southern Closed is through Tennis Link at www.usta.com. It is the players’ responsibility to timely enter ONLINE for the Southern Closed. However, only those players who have timely entered the Southern Closed online and been endorsed by Louisiana as part of its quota or otherwise accepted into the draw as alternates, will be allowed to compete in the Southern Closed. Players are urged to register early so as to allow for LA’s quota to be filled and alternates moved up accordingly. It is the player’s responsibility to timely enter online as well as to thereafter inquire as to whether he or she has been endorsed for the Southern Closed or is accepted into the draw as an alternate. Endorsement lists will be posted on the LTA web site. No notification will be given to those players endorsed, as it is each player’s responsibility to ascertain their status.

 

Quota: For 64 Draw- 4, 128 Draw- 9, 160 Draw-11

David Hartman

 

To qualify for the Southern Closed Championships, a junior must play in the Mississippi Closed Qualifying tournament in the age division they wish to play in the Southern Closed. The following finishers in the Qualifier will automatically be selected: in the 160 draw (14’s, 16’s and 18’s) the 4 semifinalists in the championship (main) bracket and the 2 finalists in the consolations; the 128 compass draw (12’s) the 4 semifinalists in the championship (main) bracket and the 2 finalists in the consolations; the 64 compass draw (10's) the 4 semifinalists in the championship (main) bracket. Selection of the remaining players for Mississippi’s quota will be based on Southern standings immediately following the Qualifier. Waivers into the Southern Closed will be considered for medical reasons, family crisis or unavoidable circumstances. Players who fall into this category will be placed at the bottom of the alternate list.

 

Quota: For 64 Draw- 12, 128 Draw- 25, 160 Draw- 27

Jeff Trivette

 

Selection to the Junior Southern Closed tournament is based primarily on the most recent update of the NCTA Standings List calculated with the final results of the Tar Heel Qualifier. The Junior Selection Committee retains the right to adjust if necessary. Juniors must play in the singles event of the Tar Heel Qualifier in the age group one wants to be considered for selection. Play in age groups other than that which the player applies for selection to the Southern Junior Closed will not be considered. The top 8 players (determined by the final April standing

list) in each age division will be exempt from playing the THQ if they so choose.

 

Quota: For 64 Draw- 6, 128 Draw- 12, 160 Draw-14

State Selector: Terry Ferrell

 

To qualify for the Southern Closed Junior Championships, a junior player must play in the SC State Closed Qualifier, unless an approved waiver has been granted. Players must play in the age division for which they are seeking endorsement to the Southern Closed and National Championships unless they receive a waiver into these events.

Selection Criteria:

BG 10’s: Any player finishing in the top 4 (semi-finalist) of the State Qualifier will be automatically endorsed within our quota. The remaining players will be selected based on their South Carolina standings at the completion of play on Monday, June 6, 2011.

 

BG 12-18s: Any player finishing in the top 8 of the State Qualifier will be automatically endorsed within our quota. The remaining players, including players receiving waivers, will come from the Southern standings to fill the USTA SC Quota at the completion of play on Thursday, June 9, 2011, and one additional wildcard selection may be made based on the Endorser’s recommendation.

 

Quota: For 64 Draw- 6, 128 Draw-11, 160 Draw-13

Peter Lebedevs

Virginia Bell

 

Players must be endorsed by USTA Tennessee for the USTA Southern Closed Championships. Players must play in the Qualifying in the age division in which they want to be endorsed in the USTA Southern Closed Championships.

 

The Southern Section is comprised of the following nine southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Each state is allotted a quota of players, determined by USTA Junior membership, to represent the state at the USTA Southern Closed Championship.

 

Selection Process:

The top 8 finishers at the Qualifying (semis of main draw or back draw) automatically qualify for the Southern Championships. The next spots in quota are determined by the players finishing position in the Qualifying and their player record since January 1. In the 10s the top 4 finishers automatically qualify and the last 2 spots are determined by the players finishing position in the Qualifying and their player record since January 1. All players wanting to be considered for selection must have applied to the USTA Southern Closed Championship of their age.

 

Alternates: In addition to the combined quotas for all states in the USTA Southern Section, at least 14 places are retained for alternates in the 14-18s age groups. Therefore, players who fall outside the USTA Tennessee quota and want to go to the USTA Southern Closed Junior Championships are encouraged to submit an application. Those 14 places are chosen based on a players Southern ranking. It is the player’s responsibility to ascertain his/her entry status for the USTA Southern Closed Junior Championships. Additional alternate information will be given in the appropriate USTA Southern Closed Junior Championships entry form and/or on the Internet.

 

Waivers: Under special circumstances, Tennessee players may be waived from Qualifying Championships and receive endorsement to the Southern Closed Junior Championships. Those requesting a waiver must meet the following requirements and follow these procedures:

 

1. A player is ranked in the top 20 Nationally, of the age group they are applying for a waiver from.

2. Requests for a waiver for illness, injury or extreme emergency must be properly documented and submitted in writing to the USTA Tennessee office. A medical waiver does not guarantee selection to the Southern Closed.

3. A player that wins the Qualifying as a first year player will be waived from that event as a second year player.

4. All waiver requests must be submitted to the TTA office in writing at least 1 month before the start of the Qualifying.

Southern Waiver Rules and Regulations

Waivers are given on a HIGHLY selective basis. Decisions on waivers will be made by the Southern Junior Tennis Waiver Sub-Committee by a majority vote.

Waiver Rules and Regulations

1. A request for waiver must be made to the Southern office, to the attention of Sandy Hastings, USTA Southern Section, 5685 Spalding Drive, Norcross, GA 30092, hastings@sta.usta.com, fax: 770-368-9091. The request must be submitted by email, fax or letter, at least one week prior to the tournament entry deadline and be received at the Southern office no later than 2:00pm Eastern Time on that day.

 

2. The following information must be included on the request:

• Player Name as it appears in the Southern Jr. database.

• Birthdate

• USTA Membership Number

• Age/Gender Division for which the waiver request is being submitted

• Tournament for which the waiver request is being submitted.

• Documentation and information to support the waiver request.(example: If an injury or illness is involved, the player must provide written documentation of disability signed by a physician and further attesting that the player will be physically capable of competing in the desired tournament.)

 

3. Please click here to download waiver.