> NTRP

New competitive players and league players might want to start here. NTRP Divisions separate players by “level”. New competitive players will start by self-rating. 

NTRP stands for National Tennis Rating Program. These divisions separate players by skill level. Tournament NTRP ratings range from 2.5 to 5.0. All competitors must be 18 years or older.

Once you have an NTRP rating, you will be able to sign up for competition at level or 0.5 above.

NTRP tournaments offer ranking points. The highest ranked competitors have opportunities to compete in the NTRP National Championships.

> OPEN

Players with a highly competitive background in tennis, including but not limited to current, former, or aspiring professional and collegiate players, will want to compete here.

There are no restrictions on competition age or level in the open space.

Open tournaments can often offer incentives such as prize money and even pro tournament wild cards.

> AGE DIVISION

Former collegiate, ITF, or professional players, as well as one-time ranked junior competitors who are now of a certain age may want to compete here.

Skill level may vary. Ages still may vary, but players must meet a minimum age requirement of a given division.

Points earned in Age Division events can go towards your National Ranking. The best-ranked National players can qualify for more exclusive events, including ITF World Championships.

> FAMILY DIVISION

These divisions can be “Open” or age-restrictive and are available to families who would like to compete with one another. This may include spouses, or parents with their children.

As you compete in adult tournaments, you will begin earning ranking points and a position on the National Standings List in your division. This ranking is calculated nationally.

You can compete in any sanctioned USTA tournament and it will count towards your National ranking. Points stay on your record in a 52-week rolling system. Once a result is more than 52 weeks old, the points gained at that tournament will drop off your ranking.

Different tournament levels offer different points per round won. To find out more, please review the Tournament Levels toggle below.

Tournament Levels range from 7-1. In the adult space, players can play virtually any level. Here’s how the levels differ.

> LEVEL 7 (DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS)

– Event duration: Up to 1 day
– Geographic Level: Section/District
– Draw formats: Round robin/Round Robin with playoff/Compass draw
– Scoring formats: Short set (first to 4 games)/Best 2 of 3 short sets (3rd set is a 7 point tiebreak)/Single set (first to 6 games)/Timed matches 

> LEVEL 6 (DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS)

– Event duration: Up to 3 days
– Geographic Level: Section/District
– Draw formats: Single Elimination/Round Robin/Round Robin with playoff/Compass draw/Curtis Consolation/Feed-in championships/First match consolation/Voluntary Consolation
– Scoring formats: Best 2 of 3 sets (3rd set is 10-point tiebreak)/Best 2 of 3 short sets (3rd set is 7-point or a 10 point tiebreak)/8 game pro-set/Best 2 of 3, 10-point tiebreak games/Single set
– At least 40% more ranking points earned than in a Level 7

> LEVEL 5 (DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS)

– Event duration: Up to 5 days
– Geographic Level: Section/District
– Draw formats: Single Elimination/Round robin/Round robin with playoff/Compass draw/Curtis Consolation/Feed-in championships/First match consolation/Voluntary consolation
– Scoring formats: Best 2 of 3 tiebreak sets/Best 2 of 3 sets (3rd set is 10-point tiebreak)/Best 2 of 3 short sets (3rd set is 7-point or a 10 point tiebreak)/8-game pro-set
– At least 40% more ranking points earned than in a Level 6

> LEVEL 4 (SECTION TOURNAMENTS)

– Event duration: Up to 5 days
– Geographic Level: Section
– Draw formats: Single Elimination/Round robin/Round robin with playoff/Compass draw/Curtis consolation/Feed-in championships/First match consolation/Voluntary consolation
– Scoring formats: Best 2 of 3 tiebreak sets/Best 2 of 3 sets (3rd set is 10-point tiebreak)/Best 2 of 3 short sets (3rd set is 7-point or a 10 point tiebreak)/8-game pro-set
– At least 40% more ranking points earned than in a Level 5

> LEVEL 3 (NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS)

– Event duration: Up to 5 days
– Geographic Level: National
– Draw formats: Round robin/Round robin with playoff/Compass draw/Curtis consolation/Feed-in championships/Voluntary consolation/Single Elimination
– Scoring formats: Best 2 of 3 tiebreak sets/Best 2 of 3 sets (3rd set is 10-point tiebreak)/Best 2 of 3 short sets (3rd set is 7-point or a 10 point tiebreak)/8-game pro-set
– At least 40% more ranking points earned than in a Level 4

> LEVEL 2 (NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS)

– Event duration: Up to 5 days
– Geographic Level: National
– Draw formats: Round robin/Round robin with playoff/Compass draw/Curtis consolation/Feed-in championships/Voluntary consolation/Single Elimination
– Scoring formats: Best 2 of 3 tiebreak sets/Best 2 of 3 sets (3rd set is 10-point tiebreak)/Best 2 of 3 short sets (3rd set is 7-point or 10 point tiebreak)/8-game pro-set
– At least 40% more ranking points earned than in a Level 3

> LEVEL 1 (NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS)

– Event duration: Up to 7 days
– Geographic Level: National
– Draw formats: Round robin/Compass draw/Team format/Curtis consolation/Feed-in championships/Voluntary consolation
– Scoring formats: Best 2 of 3 tiebreak sets/Best 2 of 3 sets (3rd set is 10-point tiebreak)/Best 2 of 3 short sets (3rd set is 7-point or a 10 point tiebreak)/8-game pro-set
– At least 40% more ranking points earned than in a Level 2

> USTA MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED

First, all USTA tournament competitors must have an active USTA membership. To get one, click here.