WHERE TO START
Tournament Selection Guide
All players must have a free USTA Junior Membership
GET ONE HERE
USTA Ranking System
The USTA uses a national tournament level system with seven levels to standardize competition across the country. Higher-level tournaments award more points toward sectional and national rankings, helping players and families know what to expect wherever they play.
INTRODUCTORY LEVEL
Level 7
- Round robin format
- For entry level players
- Shortened scoring format
Players should be able to get serves in, rally 4-5 times with opponent, know how to keep score.
STRONG BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Level 6
- Round robin draws
- Full matches, 2/3 sets
- Player selection based on ranking
Players should have strong game, know tennis rules and etiquette. They can get majority of serves in, execute approach shots and regularly have rallies with 6-8 balls.
HIGH OR ADVANCED LEVEL
Level 5
Tournament will have singles and doubles.
Players should be at an advance level with a complete game with strong 1st and 2nd serve, volleys, forehand, and backhand. Player should be winning multiple Level 6 tournaments.
NATIONAL RANKING
Levels 4-1
Match Guarantees
All USTA tournaments will have 3-4 matches guaranteed as long as there are 4+ players in the draw. Please be prepared to play both Saturday & Sunday!
When to Level Up
If a player is winning consistently at Level 7s, give a Level 6 a try! The competition will be stronger, and you may not have the same results at first, but that is okay!
Consistent tournament play over time is one of the best ways to improve a player’s tennis game.
About the Draws
Top-Down
If a tournament has space for 32 players but 40 players sign up, the tournament uses a top-down draw. This means the 32 highest-ranked players according to the USTA ranking system are accepted into the main draw. The remaining 8 lower-ranked players do not get into the tournament (or may be placed on a wait list or in an alternate spot, if available).
Bottom-Up
If a tournament has space for 32 players and 40 players sign up, the lowest ranked 32 players are accepted into the draw. This means the top 8 highest-ranked players are excluded. The purpose of a bottom-up draw is to guarantee that new or unranked players, including those who have never played a tournament, will be able to compete in a Level 7 tournament.
Keep in Mind
USTA tournaments do count towards a player’s UTR level and WTN number. Please remember USTA has a ranking system, whereas UTR strictly has a rating system.
Where should your player start?
A player can sign up for any level tournament. There are no rules saying they can’t sign up, regardless of level.
What level is best for my tournament player?
That answer is slightly subjective, and there isn’t an official answer.
Should we consider traveling to area tournaments?
Not at first. Corpus Christi offers plenty of local opportunities through USTA, UTR, and Grand Prix events. Traveling becomes beneficial when players want broader competition or are ready for a new challenge, or simply want a fun tennis weekend in surrounding areas.
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