The U.S. Tennis Association is the governing body of tennis in the United States. The USTA selects the team members and venues for America's various international teams, such as the Davis, Fed, Hopman and Wightman Cups, as well as junior competitions. The USTA sets rules for professional and recreational play, as well as the management and conduct of tournaments.
Basic Rules
USTA-sanctioned tennis play follows the rules prescribed by the International Tennis Federation, the international governing body of the sport. The USTA publishes The Code of Conduct, which helps players in unofficiated matches. The Code specifically addresses sportsmanship and courtesy issues, as well as how to deal with disputes players cannot resolve. If a situation arises that is not covered by ITF rules, players follow The Code of Conduct.
Age Eligibility
Junior players must play competition no lower than their designated age group, which, according to ITF rules, is a two-year period based on your year of birth. For example, you will play in the 18-and-under division for two years after you turn 17. The USTA has different eligibility rules for juniors who play in USTA-sanctioned tournaments. The USTA age eligibility requirements are based on your month of birth in a particular year, rather than just your year of birth.
Quick Start Rules
The USTA recently created a new form of tennis called Quick Start tennis which requires players to use smaller courts, rackets and special balls. Quick Start uses a modified scoring system. Players in the 8-and-under divisions will play Quick Start on a court that is 36 feet by 18 feet, with a net height of 2 feet 9 inches at the center, using rackets no longer than 23 inches and low-compression or foam balls. Players play best-of-three, seven-point games. Players in the 10-and-under divisions will play on a court that is 60 feet by 21 feet, with a net height of 3 feet at the center, using rackets no longer than 25 inches and low-compression balls and using the regular scoring system for tennis matches.
Rating System
Players who play in certain USTA events, such as recreational tournaments and leagues, must have a USTA National Tennis Rating Program rating. The USTA NTRP rating is different from the ITF's International Tennis Number. Players receive NTRP numbers based on an initial self-rating that is modified once they play a match. If a player's results are out of line with her self-rating, she may be disqualified for rating herself too low. Players may also be moved to a higher or lower NTRP level based on their match results. If a player's computer-generated rating at the end of a season is marginally better or worse than his self-rating, he may be "bumped" down or up. Players who are moved up in this way do so without penalty.
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