Standard Adult Tournament Rules
STANDARD ADULT TOURNAMENT RULES
| Rating rules listed at the end of this document. |
1. Rules of Play
The rules of the USTA NorCal will govern play. A currently Certified Referee must be employed and on site for the duration of the tournament to supervise play. A Certified Official is recommended at each satellite site. Any waiver to this rule is subject to the approval of the Adult Tournament Coordinator. Tournaments needing referees should contact bardrickey@hotmail.com ASAP.
2. Entry Deadlines
All entries must be received by the tournament chairman. Tournament entries received after the published tournament deadline may be accepted at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. Entries may be accepted after the tournament draw or match times have been publicly posted in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Friend at Court.
3. USTA Membership
USTA Membership in good standing is required to play in all USTA NorCal sanctioned adult tournaments.
4. First Match Times
a. Tournament Responsibility for Publicizing First Match Start Times. Tournaments have the following options for publicizing first match start times:
i. posting tournament draws 72 hours in advance of the first match of the tournament;
ii. posting the scheduled start times of all first singles matches (or doubles if doubles only tournament) 72 hours in advance of the first match of the tournament.
b. Players Responsible for Obtaining Start Times. Players are responsible for obtaining their own starting time by checking the Tennis Link Tournament Home Page or by calling the tournament phone number beginning three days prior to the tournament if the start times are not available on the website and a start time post card has not been received. It is recommended that those tournaments accepting mail in entries communicate to those participants their first two match times 72 hours in advance of the first match of the tournament. Players are responsible for obtaining start times that may have changed for any reason, including inclement weather.
5. Changes in the Draw
Changes may be made in the draw as authorized in USTA Regulations. Should the draw be changed, it is NorCal's policy that the tournament committee must notify all players involved by phone message.
Limited Draw Tournaments-
In a limited draw Adult Tournament, the Tournament Committee may select up to 25% of the entries of each draw at their own discretion and the remaining 75% of the entries shall be selected by lot. In the event the Tournament Committee selects fewer than 25% of the entries, all remaining entries shall be selected by lot.
6. Seeding
Seniors- Senior Tournament Directors are required to use the USTA NorCal approved seeding coordinators for each age division. If a seeding coordinator is not designated for a particular category, the tournament director will use the most current standings lists for seeding.
Open- Open Tournament Directors are required to use the USTA NorCal seeding coordinators for each category.
NTRP- NTRP Tournament Directors are required to use the most recent seeding list for seeding. The individual seeding list will be used for doubles.
Family- Family Tournament Directors are required to use the most recent standing list.
*When seeding a doubles draw, the tournament director shall use the individual doubles standings lists. As this is a new feature, please contact Michelle Wilson at wilson@norcal.usta.com or Tennis Link at linkteam@usta.com for assistance. These are the instructions for seeding doubles. New rule effective January 2008: Tournaments are encouraged to use the above seeding guidelines, but tournaments have the final say in seeding.
7. Scoring & Formats
Events with up to 6 entrants may use a round robin format. Tournaments may hold draws of only 2 but are not required to do so. Draws of 3 or more must be held.
All matches will be the best two out of three sets unless an alternative scoring format is approved by the USTA NorCal for adult events. The 12 point tie breaker will be used at 6-all.
Acceptable alternative scoring format for adult tournament play are match tie break in lieu of the 3rd set, best of 5 short sets, no-ad scoring, one set match, 8 or 10 game pro set, best of 3 match tie-breaks. The tournament announcement must state which alternative scoring format will be utilized on the tournament home page before the entries open.
Grand Slam Tournaments and Tournament of the Year Divisions shall have a playoff for third and fourth place.
The match format for all Grand Slam Tournaments shall be the best 2 out of 3 sets, regular scoring.
For NTRP and Senior tournaments, a match may be played off site, during the inclusive dates of a tournament when the following conditions are met:
There are only two entrants or teams in a particular event.
Both players (teams) agree.
Tournament Director/Chairman agree.
Referee agrees.
8. Warm-up Period
Warm-up time is limited to 5 minutes except for Senior events (age 30 and above) which allow ten minutes. All practice serves must be taken during warm-up.
9. Entry Limitations on Players
Adult players are limited to entering one singles event, one doubles event, and one mixed doubles event. Tournament Committees will determine whether a player's entries may be in more than one division and will publish that information to the tournament web pages.
Senior players are limited to two events, in addition to one Mixed Doubles and/or family Doubles.
Open players may play singles, doubles and mixed doubles, if offered.
10. Matches Per Day
Refer to Friend at Court unless a NorCal rule variation exist. New to 2008 USTA NorCal is now consistent with national policies for Seniors. Players of all ages in senior divisions may play 2 singles matches per day, wheras these divisions were limited to one match per day prior to 2007 in NorCal.
11. Right of Refusal
The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decline any entry either before or after the draws have been published. Some draws may be limited.
12. USTA NorCal Point Penalty Suspension System
The USTA NorCal Point Penalty Suspension System (PPSS) shall apply to all USTA NorCal sanctioned adult tournaments. It is a system that levies suspension points for violations of the USTA regulations, no shows, defaults, walkovers and other misconduct. A copy of the PPSS can be found on the USTA NorCal website.
13. Penalty for Lateness
Players are expected to check and comply with all scheduling done by the Tournament Committee. A player is deemed to have arrived when the player checks in at the place designated for checking in and is properly clothed, equipped, and ready to play. The lateness penalty clock starts at the scheduled match time regardless of court availability, this is a variation from the national rule which states that a player is late if they are not there when the match is called.
14. Concurrent Tournaments
A player shall not be entered at the time entries close in two or more USTA sanctioned tournaments scheduled to take place at the same time, in whole or in part, unless each Tournament Committee involved understands the situation and concurs in writing.
Adult Players may play in concurrent tournaments provided those tournaments involved are advised of the conflict by the player prior to entry, and agree in writing to accept such concurrent entries and accommodate the player's schedule. The final decision rests with each tournament committee. If one tournament agrees to accept concurrent entries and accommodate the player's schedule but the concurrent tournament does not, the player may not enter both. If the player violates the rule against entering concurrent tournaments, such tournaments, will not count toward ranking or Grand Prix points.
15. Unfinished Tournaments
A tournament will have 30 days past the last scheduled tournament date to complete a tournament due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances approved by the Adult Tournament department. However, if a draw affected by inclement weather has not begun by the completion of the sanctioned dates of the tournament, the draw will not be started after the final date.
16. Refunds
The Tournament Committee shall refund a player's entire entry fee (minus the Tennis Link non-refundable registration fee) if the entry is not accepted, if the player withdraws before the draw has been published or no later than seven days before the start date of the tournament, whichever date is sooner.
The Tournament Committee shall not charge any fee (such as a processing, service, or handling fee) for refunding the entry fee. No refund will be given if a player plays 1 match and then the tournament is rained out. No refund is required beginning 6 days before the start date of the tournament. In the case where the tournament is rained out before the player starts a match, the tournament may withhold an administrative fee of $2.00 per event.
17. Nonpayment of Entry Fee
The tournament may charge a collection fee for returned entry fee checks or nonpayment of outstanding fees at the tournament. Nonpayment of entry fees or cancellation of payment after the entry deadline will result in player suspension until such payment is received by the involved tournament.
18. NTRP Tournament of the Year Designation
The NTRP Tournaments of the Year designation will be awarded to the three tournaments with the highest average "overall rating" in their tournament evaluations. If the first two tournaments are singles only, doubles only, women's only, etc. the third will be the next highest tournament that can fill in the events that don't have a tournament of the year. To become a Tournament of the Year, a tournament must have a minimum of 5 evaluations. The final ratings for all tournaments will be the ratings on the date two weeks after the last tournament has ended.
18. Player Attire
Appropriate tennis attire is required for all matches. Rules of the host club will govern.
19. Certified Officials
The Referee of each USTA NorCal sanctioned adult tournament shall be a referee certified by the USTA. A Certified Official is recommended at each satellite site and for each 8 courts of play.
20. Cancellation of Tournaments
The Tournament Committee shall not make the decision to cancel all matches for the remainder of the day until at least 12 Noon of the day in question, or the remainder of the tournament until at least 12 Noon of the last scheduled day of play.
21. Awards
Adult Awards must be given to all tournament finalists regardless of the number of entrants. Suggested value of 1st place award should be equal to or greater than 50% of entry fee. Prizes requiring additional money for redemption will not be allowed, unless players have the option of receiving said prize or equivalent certificate value in cash. Prizes with a cash value should be at minimum equal to the entry fee for 1st place, 50% for 2nd place. Tournaments held with only 2 entrants are not required to award second place awards.
22. NTRP Tournaments
Players still eligible to enter junior tournaments may not enter NTRP tournaments.
23. Tournament Evaluation Sign
Tournament Directors must post a notice/sign that will be online soon, reminding players that the tournament evaluation form is available on the USTA NorCal website.
24. Tennis Balls
Three new tennis balls are required for adult tournament play at the start of every tournament match, and at the start of the 3rd set of play unless a tie break is used for the 3rd set.
25. NTRP Ratings
Rating Rules Effective January 1, 2006
*Effective January 1, 2006, any player participating in a USTA NorCal sanctioned NTRP tournament will be required to have an NTRP rating. If a player is in violation of this rule he/she will be notified in writing by USTA NorCal.*Effective January 1, 2006, any singles player who has been notified that he/she does not have a valid USTA rating must self-rate prior to registering in a USTA NorCal NTRP tournament. A player violating this rule will receive an automatic 30 day suspension and any points earned from that tournament toward the Grand Prix points race, seeding/tentative/final rankings lists will be removed.
*Effective January 1, 2006, any doubles and/or mixed doubles player who has been notified that he/she does not have a valid USTA NTRP rating must self-rate prior to registering in a USTA NorCal NTRP tournament. A player violating this rule will receive an automatic 30 day suspension and any points earned from that tournament toward the Grand Prix points race and the seeding/tentative/final rankings lists will be removed.
*Effective January 1, 2006, any singles, doubles or mixed doubles player who plays a USTA NorCal sanctioned NTRP tournament below their NorCal self-rating level will receive 10 suspension point in the NorCal Penalty Suspension System and any points earned on the Grand Prix Points Race and the Seeding/Tentative/Final Ranking list will be removed.
In such a case, tournament directors will be encouraged to default such a player for unsportsmanlike conduct. This rule only allows a tournament director or referee the right to default a player who has a self-rating higher than the level that they signed up for. This does not give the tournament director or referee the right to pass judgment on a player's ability. I.E. A tournament director or referee cannot default a player they "believe" is playing out of level.
*Effective January 1, 2006, Any doubles or mixed doubles team who violates Action Item any of the above rules in regard to doubles, will have their points removed from that tournament toward the Grand Prix points race and the seeding/tentative/final rankings lists.
Note: Match results will remain unchanged in the tournament draws.
NTRP Tournament Self-Rate Grievance Form
Complaint against a self-rated player who enters the program by misrepresenting his actual skill level.To expedite this process, we encourage players to file electronically. Please read these instructions carefully.
A tournament director, a referee, or a player participating in a tournament will be allowed to file a rating grievance. There is no requirement for the player to have played the person that he is filing against.
A rating grievance can be filed at any time, but only grievances filed up to 7/31 could impact the Grand Prix for that year.
The NorCal staff can file such a grievance at any time with no restriction.
Staff generated grievances after 7/31 could affect the Grand Prix after approval of the ATC.
You must provide specific and tangible information regarding the player's tennis history.
You must specifically ask the USTA NorCal office to forward your complaint to him. Unlike League play, email addresses of players are not necessarily public information.
There is a $25.00 fee, per person, for filing a Self Rate Grievance. This fee will be returned if the grievance is upheld. The fee should be submitted by check, to USTA NorCal, at the same time the grievance is filed. (USTA NorCal, 1920 North Loop Rd., Alameda, CA 94502)
Failure to comply with these instructions may result in this Complaint being dismissed.
Please email your Complaint to wilson@norcal.usta.com. Be sure you:
1. Identify yourself by name.
2. Identify the player filed against.
3. Include information that substantiates your claim that this player has entered the program by misrepresenting his actual skill level. .
4. Indicate that a check is being sent by USPS.
If you do not have access to email to file a Complaint, you may hand write your Complaint, following the requirements and directions given above, and fax it to our office. 510 748-7377, ATTN: NTRP Tournament Self Rate Grievance.
