www.northern.usta.com
1001 W. 98th Street, Suite 101, Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 887-5001 or (800) 536-6962
2005 Junior Tournament Requirements
USTA/NORTHERN SPORTSMANSHIP
The USTA views sportsmanship as the embodiment of these characteristics: determination, fair play, competitiveness and the
USTA Code of Conduct.
USTA/NORTHERN RESIDENCY AND USTA MEMBERSHIP
Junior players wanting to be eligible for ranking and endorsement in the Northern Section must establish residency and hold a
current USTA membership card assigned to the Northern Section.
TOURNAMENTS
Levels:
1. Championship: Designed for those players who would like to play national tournaments. Championship tournaments are required
for individuals to gain sectional endorsement to selected national events. There are several levels of USTA/Northern Section
Championship events.
Level 4 - The highest level played in the section. There are four events per year and they have a ranking points value 2.5
times a Level 6 tournament. The points earned in a Level 4 event earn points towards a national ranking. The winner of a
Level 4 tournament earns 220 points.
Level 5 - There are eight events per year that have a Level 5 designation. Often these are qualifying events for the Sectional
Championships. These events have a ranking points value 1.87 times a Level 6 tournament. The points earned in a Level 5
event earn points towards a national ranking. The winner of a Level 5 tournament earns 165 points.
Level 6 - These are all other events that are not a Level 4 or 5 Championship event. These events have the base- ranking
points for the section. These events do not earn any points toward your national ranking, only the sectional ranking. The
winner of a Level 6 tournament earns 88 points.
2. Challenger 1: Designed for players who wish to compete at a high level and play college tennis, but are not interested in national
events. Players can play in both Challenger 1 and Championship level events, as they are not exclusive of each other. All Challenger
1 events use the Level 6 point's table for ranking purposes. Such events do not earn any points toward your national ranking, only the
sectional ranking.
3. Challenger 2: Designed for entry-level players who do not have match-play experience. USTA membership is not required for
Challenger 2 events. Any player who has won a championship-level match cannot play a Challenger 2 event in the same age group.
There are no rankings generated for Challenger 2 events.
4. Novice: Tournaments that encourage non-elimination formats and one-day events. Generally for the beginning-level player who is
just starting to compete.
Winter, Summer, Fall Championships
(Championship - Level 4)
Three times each year the Northern Section holds Championship tournaments that are limited to a 32-person draw. These
events are structured to assist in the selection of players to national events, as well as bringing the top 32 players in each age group
competing in a single event.
These tournaments consist of the top 32 players, based on the current standings list (after the qualifying tournaments) that
have met the requirements in each age group at the time prior to the event. One endorsement for each seasonal segment (summer, fall
or winter) will then be based straight off the most recently published standings list following the championships. The other endorsement
will be the winner of the seasonal championship event in his or her respective age group. (Example: #5 player wins the tournament so
he or she is endorsed #1, and the remaining spot then goes to the #1 ranked player after the event results have been entered and the
ranking list has been generated).
Players must meet the requirements for each tournament in order to participate in the seasonal championships. If the event
does not fill, players will be added based upon the current standings list for the vacant spots.
The draws for each tournament will be based strictly on the standings list prior
to the event. Seeding and draws will be prepared in accordance with USTA Friend at Court guidelines.
Requirements for Endorsement and Winter, Summer, Fall Championships:
Endorsement is the process by which a player from the Northern Section is selected to represent the section at specific
tournaments designated in the national tournament schedule. These events include Zonals, Intersectionals, and the Super National
tournaments.
A player is not eligible to participate in the Sectional Championships or qualifying events (Winter, Summer and Fall
Championships) if they are not a resident of the USTA/Northern Section, or if they are unable to receive endorsement from the section.
(All Level 4 and Level 5 tournaments are closed to non-sectional residents. Level 6 tournaments are open to anyone,
including non-sectional residents).
Players competing for spots in all age divisions who wish to seek endorsement must play in specific tournaments in order to be
considered for endorsement.
On the following pages you will find the requirements for the Winter, Summer and Fall Championships and endorsement to
national events for 2005. Please also note that you must register for the Winter, Summer and Fall Championships like any other
tournament. Players will be able to see the selection lists on the internet at www.northern.usta.com. Only players who have
registered for the event will be considered. There will be no invitations. You must sign up online for entry! Players will be selected
based on the current standings list after all the requirements have been met and entries received by the due date.
Changes are made to the tournament schedule frequently. If possible, please use the schedule on the internet at
www.northern.usta.com A majority of events use online registration. Find the specific tournament on our online schedule, and if the
option is available, you will be able to register this way.
Winter Segment of 2005: (Must play in age group you wish to be endorsed)
1. Either the Baseline Tennis Center Championships (December - 2004) or the RAC Blizzard Classic (January).
2. Winter Championships (32 Draw) - Flagship - Mercedes Benz
(The winner of the Winter Championships - Flagship event, will get an automatic bid into the Spring Super National).
Summer Segment of 2005: (Must play in the age group you wish to be endorsed)
1. One championship tournament starting January 1, 2005 in addition to the Asfora South Dakota Open Northern Junior Sectional.
2. Asfora South Dakota Open Northern Junior Sectional (June 11-14)
3. Summer Championships (32 Draw) – Baseline Tennis Center (June 16-19). (In order to qualify for the Summer Championships, a
player must meet the requirements listed above. A player must also play these events in the age group he or she wishes to be
considered).
Fall Segment of 2005: (Must play in the age group you wish to be endorsed)
1. Gustavus Fall Classic – (Oct-Nov) or the Boys 98th St NAC. Fall Classic (boys only)
2. Fall Championships (32 Draw) – Northwest Athletic Club (NAC), November 11,12,18,19. (In order to qualify for the Fall
Championships, a player must meet the requirements listed above. A player must also play these events in the age group he or she
wishes to be considered).
Winter Segment of 2006: (Must play in age group you wish to be endorsed)
1. Either the Baseline Tennis Center Championships (December - 2005) or the Gustavus Winter Classic (January).
2. Winter Championships (32 Draw) - Flagship Mercedes Benz (The winner of the Winter Championships - Flagship event, will get an
automatic bid into the Spring Super National).
Alternates to National Tournaments:
In addition to selecting the players to fill the endorsement quota for each particular national tournament, an alternate list will
also be published. The section often places players into national tournaments by submitting them as an alternate. If an endorsed player
from the Northern Section were unable to attend, the next alternate from the section would be given the opportunity.
National Open Championships:
National Open Championships are a series of events that give players additional national exposure and provide another
avenue to get into a Super National without sectional endorsement. USTA National Open Championships are held four times per year:
February, April, July, and November. At each of these championships, four simultaneous 64-draw events will be conducted. These
events are located in different regions of the country. The top six finishers of each National Open are given a spot into the next Super
National event.
To enter a National Open a player must register online at www.usta.com. The top 64 players on the national seeding and
selection list who have signed up for that particular location will be accepted.
The top six finishers of each National Open are given a spot in the next Super National event.
RANKING REQUIREMENTS
Standings List Explanation: A monthly standings list is published the first week of every month. This list includes all players
who have participated in at least one event in that particular tournament level and accumulated a minimum of 25 points. Tournament
directors, to assist them in seeding their events, use this list most often. Players, who believe their standings are incorrect and have
additional information that may warrant a seeding at an event, should contact the tournament director of the event and submit
information to support their seeding. The sectional office does not seed the tournaments, but simply provides the standings list to the
directors for guidance. The standings list will use the best six tournaments from the previous 12 month period to calculate total ranking
points for that list.
DEFAULTS, WAIVERS AND ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
1. A default for any reason will count as a loss in the ranking system. Players who default out of the main draw will also receive a loss
in the consolation if the tournament has a consolation round and the player is unable to play.
2. There will be no waivers for missing required events. There is more than one way of getting into Super National events without
endorsement, so waivers are not granted. If a player is unable to play all of the required tournaments and cannot get endorsed, they
may play a National Open and finish in the top six to gain entry into the Super National.
(The one exception to the rule will be if a player elects to play a National or ITF event that is held at the same time as the required
qualifier with no other options to participate in any other tournament to fulfill the requirements).
3. All Level 4 and Level 5 Championship events are required to have a roving official designated by the tournament director. It is up to
the tournament directors to hire individuals who have great knowledge of the game and can act as a moderator in any situation. For all
Level 4 events, there should be one roving official for each 6 courts used. For all Level 5 events, there should be at least one roving
official for each 9 courts in use. The roving official does not have to be a certified official, although the USTA strongly encourages the
use of certified officials.
SEEDING
The factors in seeding a tournament as stated in "Friend at Court" are “rankings, current records, type of surface and head-tohead encounters.”
The tournament committee/director, not the sectional office, is responsible for seeding. If a player is not on a specific rank list
and wants to be considered for seeding he or she may submit a player record for the current ranking year to the tournament director for
consideration.
SCHEDULING MATCHES AND NUMBER OF MATCHES PLAYED
In all junior age groups, it is recommended that no player shall play more than 2 singles matches and one doubles match per
day when using the regular two-out-of-three set format. An additional singles and doubles match may be played in cases where the
event is using a tie-break in place of a third set. In case of poor weather conditions and tournament facility deadlines, the tournament
director and referee will make any necessary adjustments to the rules regarding matches played. In some cases it is impossible for the
event to be conducted over a three-day period if the draws are greater than 16 players and the event uses a full feed-in format.
It is recommended that in the 12 and 14 age divisions no match should start after 8:00 p.m., and in the 16 and 18 age
divisions no match should start after 10:00 p.m. It is also suggested that players should be given a minimum rest of 12 hours between
the completion of play of their last matches of any day and the start of play of their first matches the following day.
COMPETITION TRAINING CENTERS
Competition Training Centers (CTC’s) bring the best players in the section together to compete and train. The USTA has
identified that the best way to improve is to compete in an environment providing for tough competition. CTC’s offer this type of
environment.
The USTA/Northern Section provides several opportunities throughout the year to participate in CTC’s. Each CTC may be
geared toward a certain gender or age group, while other CTC’s incorporate both genders and age groups. These opportunities are
done through an invitation process based on ranking.
CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION IN CTC’s:
•
Sectional CTC’s: These are typically one-day events for the top-ranked boys and girls in the 12 and 14 age groups
•
Valley Rally: Selection is based on ranking in Boys/Girls 12 and 14 age groups. Players must also attend at least one other
CTC starting in the fall of 2004. (Event is held in late April in Iowa City, Iowa).
•
Regional Rally: Players must qualify through the Valley Rally in Iowa City.
FINANCIAL AID FOR TOURNAMENT PLAYERS
It is a goal of the USTA/Northern Section to make tennis available to all young athletes regardless of race, color, or financial
status. Applications for assistance from available funds can be requested from the USTA/Northern Section at 1001 W. 98th St, Suite
101, Bloomington, MN 55431.
USTA/NORTHERN SUSPENSION POINT SYSTEM
The Northern Section Suspension Point System will be in effect at all sanctioned junior tournaments in the section and will be
used in main draw and consolation rounds. Persons authorized to file suspension point reports are: tournament referees and their
assistants, on-court umpires, tournament directors, members of the Northern Section Junior Tennis Council (JTC) and the
USTA/Northern Section Director of Junior Competitive Tennis. All of the above-authorized persons will report only on violations
personally witnessed by them.
Recording of Suspension Points:
Suspension Point Reports with descriptions of all violations will be mailed to the Director of Junior Competitive Tennis in the
USTA/Northern Section office. These reports will then be forwarded to the JTC for documenting and recording on the junior player’s
tournament record. NOTE: Suspension points received out of section (National Tournaments, Zonals, etc.) will count against a player’s
local record.
Notices Issued:
The JTC will inform players and their parent(s) by mail when a player accrues five suspension points. Copies of subsequent
suspension point reports received by the Northern Section will be sent to the player’s residence. When a player accrues 7 points, an
additional notification regarding the possibility of imminent suspension will be sent by mail for review by the player and his/her
parent(s). NOTE: Due to delay in receiving documentation, a player may accumulate additional suspension points before being notified
when he or she is at 7 points. Therefore, all players must rely on their own records of suspension points to avoid actual suspension.
If, after receiving the 7-point notice, a discrepancy between the USTA/Northern Section record and the player’s personal
record can be found, a review may be requested in writing by the player and/or parent and sent to the JTC at the USTA/Northern
Section office.
Player Suspension:
Initially, if a player accumulates 10 or more points over any 12-month period, he/she will be suspended according to the
following information:
First suspension: 8 weeks with no tournament play. No ranking for the current year and no endorsement to the next Junior
National Tournament. The initial 10 or more points are erased following reinstatement.
After a first suspension reinstatement, a player shall be suspended either a second or third time with the accumulation of 5 or
more points.
Second suspension: 6 months with no tournament play. No ranking or endorsement as stated above. The 5+ points resulting
in the second suspension shall be erased following reinstatement.
Third suspension: Additional six months suspension.
Appeal Following Suspension:
A player may appeal his/her suspension to the JTC. All such notices of appeal must be received at the USTA/Northern
Section office no later than 10 days after the date of the original suspension notice.