NORTHERN ILLINOIS TENNIS ASSOCIATION (NITA)
2010 USTA LEAGUE RULES
1. Rules
2010 USTA League Regulations, USTA/Midwest Section Standing Orders, and NITA 2010 USTA League
Rules shall apply to the 2010 Northern Illinois Tennis Association USTA League Programs. The Rules of
Tennis and Tournament Regulations, including those for wheelchair play shall apply to all matches played
in the USTA League Program except as modified. In all unofficiated matches the USTA official publication
“The Code” shall be observed.
Interpretation of the NITA USTA League Rules is within the authority of the NITA District USTA League
Coordinator and the NITA USTA League Committee.
2. Seasons
The start and end dates of each league season are determined by the NITA USTA League Committee.
NITA League Tennis Programs include the following seasons:
• Winter – mid January through mid April
• Summer – early May through late July
• ESL/Fall – mid September through mid December
3. Match Start Times
Home matches/times will be scheduled as follows:
• Summer, weekday, outdoor – no earlier than 6:30 p.m. and no later than 8:00 p.m.*
• All seasons, weekday, indoor – no earlier than 7:00 p.m. and no later than 8:00 p.m.*
• All seasons, weekend, indoor or outdoor – no earlier than 9:00 a.m. and no later than 7:00 p.m.*
• All outdoor summer matches scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. or later must be played at lighted
facilities.
• Home teams should try to accommodate visiting teams traveling long distances
* unless agreed upon by both captains
4. League Registration
TennisLink is the official system for registering players/teams for NITA USTA League Tennis Programs.
Deadlines and procedures will be established for registering teams on TennisLink. Players must register in
TennisLink prior to participation in a team match. Players may be added to rosters until the registration
deadline which is two weeks prior to the end of each season. Players may not be added to a team roster
during local league flight or sub-flight play-offs or at any championship.
A. TennisLink Registration Problems
Players who experience problems with the TennisLink registration system (TennisLink unavailable)
must notify the District USTA League Coordinator prior to playing in a match. The District USTA
League Coordinator must be given a detailed description of the problem. The District USTA League
Coordinator will then determine the eligibility of the player experiencing registration problems. If the
player is deemed eligible based on TennisLink problems, the player experiencing the registration
problem will then have one business day to complete registration
5. Eligibility for Players/Teams
A. Number of Teams
Each NITA local league will consist of NTRP levels with a minimum of two or more teams at each
NTRP level. If necessary flights may be divided in to sub-flights. A playoff structure will be
established to determine a champion for each NTRP level.
B. Teams
A team shall consist of a minimum number of players eligible to compete at a specific level of
competition.
• Adults (3.0-4.5) – 8 players of the same gender
• Adults (2.5 & 5.0) – 5 players of the same gender
• Seniors – 6 players of the same gender
• Combo doubles – 6 players of the same gender
• Mixed doubles – 6 players, 3 men and 3 women (18 players maximum on roster and 1 point
maximum difference in NTRP levels)
• Super seniors – 6 players of the same gender (there is no point difference in NTRP level)
• Senior mixed doubles – 6 players, 3 men and 3 women (18 players maximum on roster)
• Tri level – 6 players of the same gender
C. Team Withdrawals
The following shall apply regarding team withdrawals:
• A $50.00 per team fee will be assessed to any team withdrawing from a league after the
league Captains Meeting has been held, unless a waiver from the District USTA League
Coordinator has been granted or prior indication of withdrawal has been given to the District
USTA League Coordinator.
• If the $50.00 fee is not paid, the withdrawing team may be prohibited from playing in future
league programs.
• If a team withdraws from the league, it is the responsibility of the District USTA League
Coordinator to notify each captain in the level effected.
• It is the responsibility of each captain in the level affected to notify their club regarding
resulting court cancellations.
• It is the responsibility of each captain to inform their players of the withdrawal.
D. Out of District Teams/Club Participation
The Northern Illinois Tennis Association and the Northern Illinois USTA League Committee reserve
the right to determine the participation of any out of district team or club in any Northern Illinois USTA
League programs.
E. Membership
All individuals who compete in the NITA USTA League Tennis Programs must be current members of
the USTA in good standing for the local league season. Any participant progressing to championship
level must be a current member of the USTA through the end of championship progression.
F. Age
Each player shall have reached the following age prior to or during the calendar year in which the
player participates in their first local league match.
• eighteen (18) for Adult, Mixed Doubles, Combo Doubles, Tri-Level divisions
• fifty (50) for Senior and Senior Mixed Doubles divisions
• sixty (60) for Super Senior division
G. Entry
Players wishing to enter the NITA League Programs must do so by one of the following methods:
• NTRP Computer rating
A player who has played two physical matches (not including defaults), in 2007, 2008 or
2009, and has generated a Year-End NTRP computer rating. Once a player is assigned a
computer rating, it is valid for up to three years (2 years for players 60 and above), or until
another computer rating is generated.
• Self rating
Players who do not have a valid NTRP computer-generated rating shall self rate in accordance
with the National Tennis Rating Program Guidelines (NTRP) during the TennisLink
registration process.
H. Ineligibility
Any player participating in a match who does not meet all eligibility requirements as outlined in the
applicable USTA League Regulations, USTA Midwest Section Standing Orders, and NITA USTA
League Rules shall be considered an “ineligible player”.
6. Levels, Formats and Scoring
A. Levels of Play and Participation
Players may play on multiple teams but may not compete on two teams at the same level within the
same season. Additionally players may not play in more than one position during a team match. NITA
offers the following levels of play:
• Adults – 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0
• Seniors – 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5
• Combo doubles – 6.5, 7.5, 8.5
• Mixed doubles – 2.5, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0
• Super seniors – 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0
• Senior mixed doubles – 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0
• Tri level – 3.0/3.5/4.0, 3.5/4.0/4.5
B. Competition Format
All teams will play in a round robin competition. Local league matches will be the best of three, tie
break sets (see 15 minute rule). Flight playoffs and District Championship matches will be the best of
two, tie break sets with a Match Tie Break (first to 10 points by a margin of two points) played in lieu
of a third set. Any NTRP level with only two or three teams is required to play a minimum of three
matches.
C. Team Match Format
Team matches will be a minimum of two hours. Advancing teams must be prepared to fill all positions
required in championship play. Team match format will be determined by the local league. Match
formats are:
• Early Start and Winter - Adult flights 3.0-4.5 – 1 singles match and 3 doubles matches
• Summer - Adult flights 3.0-4.5 – 2 singles matches and 3 doubles matches
• All - Adult flights 2.5, and 5.0 – 1 singles match and 2 doubles matches
• All - Senior, Super Senior, Mixed, Senior Mixed, Combo and Tri-level – 3 doubles matches
D. Standings
League winners are determined by team wins (see Team Standings by League Report, Team Score
Wins/Losses report in TennisLink) In the event of a tie, the tie will be broken according to USTA
League Regulation 3.03I Procedures in the Event of a Tie.
7. Captains
A. General
Each team must designate either a captain or a co-captain who is a registered and eligible member of the
team. Captains must:
• have access to the internet to register their teams and to input match scores through
TennisLink
• provide the DLC with a current e-mail address and contact phone number
B. Pre Match Responsibilities
Forty-eight hours prior to a team match, both captains must contact each other directly to:
• Confirm match date, time, place, etc.
• Notify each other if someone other than the captain will be acting captain.
• Notify of forfeits (forfeiting team is responsible for paying any court fees caused by late
notice).
• Confirm whether match will be time restricted or will be played out
8. Match Fees
Match fees will be the responsibility of both teams. Fees are a maximum of $14.00 per player for indoor
courts. The captain of any team, including teams from private clubs, which use outdoor courts and charges
a fee for those courts must notify the District USTA League Coordinator regarding these fees on the team
application.
9. Balls
Balls for indoor matches will be provided by the home facility and included in the $14.00 per player match
fee. Balls for outdoor matches shall be provided by the home team at their expense.
10. Court Surfaces
If a team match is played at a facility which will use different surfaces, for example, hard and clay courts,
the visiting team captain will decide the placement of the teams on the courts.
11. Cell Phones, Electronic Devices, etc
All cellular phones and other electronic devices are banned from tennis courts during USTA League
matches. The offending player/team will lose the point if any electronic device goes off on the court while
the match is being played. A player may bring to the court written notes that were prepared before the start
of the match and may read these notes during the match. A player MAY NOT use electronic devices such
as cell phones, digital messaging systems, radios, MP3 player, CD and DVD players, and cassette players.
Hearing aids and watches not capable of receiving messages are permitted. A player desiring to use any
other electronic device should first ask both presiding captains of the match whether the device may be
used.
12. Lineups
The team captains for each team shall exchange their team lineups simultaneously, before match forfeit
time (15 minutes from the scheduled or agreed upon match start time).
A. Substitutions at the Local League Level
No substitutions may be made in an individual match after the lineups have been exchanged except for
injury, illness of, or disqualification of a player prior to the start of such match and except under such
further circumstances as the Section authorizes. If the substitution is made during the warm-up, the
substitute player is entitled to a minimum five (5) minute warm-up. The team match may not begin until
all positions comply with USTA League Regulation 3.03L.
B. No-shows
In the event of a no show, a rostered player may be substituted only in the position of a missing player
after the exchange of lineups and before the set default time. The team match may not begin until all
positions comply with USTA League Regulation 3.03L. In the event that two players from different
doubles teams are no shows, that team may combine the remaining two players at the higher of the
doubles positions. No additional changes can be made to the lineup.
13. Warm-ups and default time
Warm-ups will be 15 minutes, starting from the agreed upon start time, using the home team clock, timers
or captain’s clock. A team not having all players present by the end of the 15 minute warm-up must forfeit
matches according to USTA League Regulation 3.03L.
14. Coaching
Coaching will be allowed between the second and third sets if the match is not time restricted and a 10
minute break is taken between the 2nd and 3rd sets.
15. Scoring
A. Scorecards
Scorecards will be used as a backup for the TennisLink scoring system. Both team captains will be
responsible for providing a scorecard with team player numbers, match ID numbers, team numbers,
etc. TennisLink scorecards provide all required information. The USTA League match scores,
including matches that are defaulted, must be recorded in TennisLink by either team captain within 48
hours of the completion of the match. After match scores have been entered on TennisLink, the match
must be confirmed by the opposing team captain within 48 hours of the initial entry or the initial score
will be considered valid automatically per USTA League Regulation 1.05.
B. Scorecard Maintenance and Disputes
Both captains are responsible for maintaining a copy of the scorecard for future references (disputes,
ratings appeals, etc.). Both captains are required to sign both scorecards. If the status of a match is
disputed this should be written on the scorecard and the match should be entered as disputed in
TennisLink. Immediately notify the District USTA League Coordinator via e-mail and phone (voice
mail) of details.
C. Failure to Report Match Scores
The District USTA League Coordinator will run Match Reports daily. If both teams fail to report
match scores within 48 hours of the completion of the match, the following actions will be taken
(Midwest Standing Orders, Rule 8.05):
• 1st offense: A written e-mail warning will be issued to both teams through TennisLink
• 2nd offense: All subsequent violations will result in the individual team match not counting
towards League standings, however, match results will be used to generate player ratings.
• any matches not reported within 48 hours of the published season end will be entered as a
double default with neither team winning the match.
16. Defaults
A. Individual Defaults
An individual default occurs when a player fails to appear on time or is disqualified by a tournament
official for misconduct. Individual defaults will be scored as a 6-0, 6-0 win for the player or doubles
team receiving the default and a 0-6, 0-6 loss for the player or doubles team that defaulted the match.
In the event of a default by both players/doubles teams (double default), both sides will be given a
0-6, 0-6 loss and neither receives credit for a win. If a double default results in a tie, the tiebreak
procedure shall be the same as USTA League Regulation 3.03I in order to determine a winner
of that team match.
B. Team Defaults
1. Minimum Number of Eligible Players
A team must have a minimum number of eligible players available for play in each match or the
entire match must be defaulted.
•
•
•
•
•
Summer Adult flights 3.0-4.5 – 4 eligible players/three courts
Summer Adult flights 2.5 and 5.0 – 3 eligible players/two courts
Early Start and Winter Adult flights 3.0-4.5 – 3 eligible players/two courts
Early Start and Winter Adult flights 2.5 and 5.0 – 3 eligible players/two courts
Senior, Super Senior, Mixed, Senior Mixed, Combo and Tri-level – 4 eligible players/two
courts
2. Maximum Number of Default Positions
A team may default a maximum number of positions in a match without defaulting the entire
match. In such cases, defaults shall be determined by the captain of the defaulting team in
accordance with USTA League Regulation 3.03I.
•
•
•
•
•
Summer Adult flights 3.0-4.5 – 2 courts may be defaulted
Summer Adult flights 2.5 and 5.0 – 1 court may be defaulted
Early Start and Winter Adult flights 3.0-4.5 – 2 courts may be defaulted
Early Start and Winter Adult flights 2.5 and 5.0 – 1 court may be defaulted
Senior, Super Senior, Mixed doubles Senior Mixed, Combo Doubles and Tri-level – 1 court
may be defaulted
3. Notification of Defaults
Notification of defaults shall be made by the forfeiting team captain directly to the opposing
team captain no later than 48 hours in advance. The forfeiting team will be responsible for
paying any court fees caused by late notice of defaults. Any team that owes fees from a previous
season may be prohibited from participating in the league program until all fees are satisfied.
4. Entire Team Defaults
If a team forfeits an entire away match and the two teams involved in that match are scheduled to
play again, the forfeiting team loses the right to host a home match against that same team. The
forfeiting team’s scheduled home match against that team will be played at the opposing team’s
club.
17. Retirements
A retirement occurs when an individual match has started and a player/doubles team is unable to continue
the match due to injury, loss of condition, or emergency.
A. Scoring of Retirements
In case of a retirement, the non-retiring player/doubles team shall be credited with such number of
additional games as would have been won if the match were completed and the non-retiring
player/doubles team won every subsequent game. For NTRP computer data entry in TennisLink,
mark as “retired” and submit actual scores of match at the point of retirement.
18. Reschedules
A. Reschedule Guidelines
1. It is expected that all teams make the effort to play their matches as published in the original
league schedule.
2. Requests to reschedule matches can only be made by the home team for their home matches no
less than 48 hours prior to the date of the first scheduled match in the flight. The opponent is not
obligated to accommodate a reschedule request made after this time unless the reschedule is due to
a club constraint, such as an already scheduled event or tournament or a natural disaster.
3. In the event that a reschedule is necessary, it is expected that both team captains will communicate
with each other and the District USTA League Coordinator, in a timely fashion, and make every
effort to cooperate and be reasonable in facilitating the reschedule process.
4. Once teams agree to a new match date, that match cannot be rescheduled a second time without the
consent of both teams.
5. A team is not obligated to reschedule a home match on a request made by the visiting team.
B. Reschedule Procedures
1. The request for a reschedule must be sent to the District USTA League Coordinator and the
opposing captain via the same e-mail.
2. A new match date must be confirmed by both captains and delivered to the District USTA League
Coordinator within two weeks of the original reschedule request date of the original match date.
Whichever comes first.
3. In the correspondence with the District USTA League Coordinator please include:
• match number
• level of play (example: 3.5 women or 4.0 senior men)
• original match date and time
• new match date and time
• match location
4. If a reschedule request is not resolved within two weeks as outlined above the District USTA
League Coordinator may step in to aide in the resolution of the reschedule. Should this become
necessary the District USTA League Coordinator has jurisdiction to do any or all of the following:
• choose a new match date and time
• choose a new match location
• default and/or double default the match
C. Unavailability of Facility and Possible Match Relocation
If home courts become unavailable or unplayable due to circumstances beyond the home team’s
control (example: weather) and the home team cannot provide a reasonable backup court plan, the
match could reasonably be moved to the visiting team facility if courts are available and time permits.
If neither team can secure backup courts for the match it is the responsibility of both captains to
reschedule the match to be completed within two weeks of the original match date.
19. Grievance and NTRP Grievance Procedures
A. Grievance and Grievance Appeals
A $25.00 fee must accompany all grievances and grievance appeals. If the NITA USTA League
Grievance or Grievance Appeals Committee rules in favor of the team filing the grievance, this fee will
be refunded. All grievances alleging a violation of USTA regulations etc., shall be filed in writing with
the NITA USTA League Grievance Committee. All administrative grievances will be sent to the
USTA/Midwest Section USTA League Grievance Committee. The fee for these grievances is $50.00.
B. NTRP Grievance
NTRP Grievances must be sent to the USTA/Midwest Section USTA League Coordinator. A $50.00
fee must accompany each NTRP grievance. Checks are to be made payable to the USTA/Midwest
Section. If the NTRP Grievance is upheld with the player in question, the $50.00 fee will be refunded
and match(es) played by the disqualified player will be forfeited based on USTA League Regulations
and USTA Midwest Section Standing Orders 3.01D(2)a.
20. Progression
A. Local Championships
Each team that wins a specific level of local league competition shall be entitled to advance to the next
level of competition. In the event that a league winner chooses to default, not compete in, or is unable
to play in the Sub-flight or District Championships, the next team in line respectively in that league
that is able to compete will be asked to participate in the championships.
1. Sub-flight Championships
Each team that wins a specific level of a sub-flight shall be entitled to advance to sub-flight
playoffs.
2. District Championships
Each team that wins the sub-flight playoff of a specific NTRP level shall be considered the NITA
flight winner and shall be entitled to advance to NITA District Championships. The following
rules will apply:
a. At all District Championships, a minimum number of team members who were on the final
roster of their local league team at the conclusion of local league play must be available and
eligible to compete. For each division, the minimum number of players will be:
• Adult 3.5 to 4.5 – eight (8)
• Adult 2.5 and 5.0 – five (5)
• Senior, Super Senior and Combo – six (6)
• Mixed and Senior Mixed – six (6) three men and three women
b. A waiver to compete with less than the minimum requirement can be requested and will be
considered only if there are the minimum number of players eligible/qualified to play on the
team roster and if no more that one (1) court is forfeited. The NITA Championship
Tournament Committee will not grant a waiver request for a team that does not have enough
eligible players. The waiver request must be made to the NITA Championship Tournament
Committee and must include the precise reason for the request. The NITA Championship
Tournament Committee will review all requests and will determine if a waiver should be
granted. All decisions of the NITA Championship Tournament Committee regarding waiver
requests will be final.
B. Illinois State Championships* (see note below)
Each team that wins the NITA District Championships of a specific level shall be considered the NITA
District Champion and shall be entitled to advance to Illinois State Championships (if applicable).
C. Sectional Championships* (see note below)
Each NITA team that wins the Illinois State Championships of a specific level shall be consider the
Illinois State Champion and shall be entitled to advance to USTA/Midwest Sectional Championships
(if applicable).
D. National Championships
Each NITA team that wins the USTA/Midwest Section Championships of a specific level shall be
considered the USTA/Midwest Section Champion and shall be entitled to advance to National
Championships. The team winning the National Championship in each level of competition shall be
the USTA League Tennis National Champion.
*Note: If a team has not requested a waiver from the Championship Tournament Committee and is not
represented by a full complement of courts at the initial check in at the USTA League State and/or
Section Championship, their District will be fined $100. If this should occur at a State Championship,
all fines will be the responsibility of the team(s) failing to request the waiver and must be paid prior to
participation in the State Championship event. Section Championship event fines will also be the
responsibility of the team(s) failing to request a waiver.
15 Minute Rule (Time Restriction Rules)
(Updated, 08/31/08)
These rules will apply to any match that requires a time limitation of 2 (or more) hours.
Match play will be a minimum of 2 hours.
a. The home team clock or a timer will be the official time. If there is no clock or timer, a watch shall
be designated as the official time. It is the responsibility of both captains to let their players know
the official time.
b. At 15 minutes to the end of match time, any second set game in progress will be completed using noad scoring (see note). The team having a two game lead shall win the second set. If the games are
tied, a set tiebreak (first to 7 by a margin of 2) will be played to determine the second set winner. If
neither team is ahead by two games, one additional game will be played using no-ad scoring. If,
after the additional game is played, both teams are tied, a set tiebreak (first to 7 by a margin of 2)
will be played to determine the second set winner. If the result of this should be that each team has
won one set, a match tiebreak (first to 10 by a margin of 2) will be played to determine the match
winner.
c. At 15 minutes to the end of match time, any third set game in progress will be completed using noad scoring (see note). The team having a two game lead shall win the third set and match. If the
games are tied, a set tiebreak (first to 7 by a margin of 2) will be played to determine the third set
and match winner. If neither team is ahead by two games, one additional game will be played using
no-ad scoring. If, after the additional game is played both teams are tied, a set tiebreak (first to 7 by
a margin of 2) will be played to determine the third set and match winner.
d. Play shall be continuous; no break shall be taken between the second and third sets. If play is
indoors it is not necessary to change sides after odd games; you may change sides after completion
of a set to save time. Time between points and games is 20 seconds. At the completion of a game, if
there is any time left you must begin another game. A 90 second break will be allowed when
changing ends.
Note: If either team already has the ad point when the fifteen minute rule goes into effect an additional
point will be played. After that point has been played if the result is a deuce, a final (no ad) point
will be played to determine the winner of that game.