Tom Fey had long been a fixture in tennis across Southern California when he passed in March of 2022. Yet his journey in the game began further north in Washington state. An avid sportsman who played baseball and basketball as a youngster, his love for tennis grew to become an integral part of his adult life. In the late 1970s, Tom was a well-known instructor in SoCal’s Coachella Valley, and continued to devote himself to the growth of the game for decades to come through philanthropic endeavors, passionate coaching, and spirited competition on the court. Professionally, he served as the Director of Oracle’s Challenger Series, the Director of Tennis at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden (home of the BNP Paribas Open), and sat on the board of the San Diego USPTA chapter.

As a tournament director from the grassroots level to the grandeur of the Tennis Garden, Tom leaves an enduring legacy as someone who dedicated his life to the sport of tennis. As we mourn his passing, we celebrate his life with great appreciation and remember his contributions each spring at the USTA Tri-Level Invitational. 

The virtual tournment desk Match Tennis Team app is available for download on your mobile device.

Captains MUST download the app in order to submit line ups, enter scores and sign off on scorecards.

Players can download app or use onsite QR code to access event details.

The Match Tennis Team App will be used for:

– Captain Lineup Submission
– Player Score Entry
– Player Court Assignments
– Player & Captain Communication
– Match Score Confirmation

To download the Match Tennis Team app, click here.

All players must register individually. The registration cost is $100.

To register your participation in the event, please click here.

Please note: Captains must download Match Tennis Team App for line up submission, score entry and scorecard sign-off.

Players must be registered on Match Tennis Team roster to be eligible for play at this event.

WHERE:

Virtual Captain Meeting via Google Meet/Zoom.

Link coming soon.

WHEN:

Tuesday, March 14th at 6:00pm PST

Please note: Captains are required to join the virtual meeting or view it prior to the start of the event.

Captains must check in on Thursday, March 16, 2023, from 5:00-7:00pm at Barnes Tennis Center.

At this time, the captain will get their captain’s information and gift. The check-in takes about 5-10 minutes.

All players must check-in individually at the tournament desk to receive player gifts and event credentials. Photo ID required.

Show your section spirit on your way to and at the 2022 USTA League National Invitational!

Every team that qualifies is encouraged to show their section spirit for the 2022 National Invitational by using their section’s designated color.

Click here to see a map of section colors.

Show us your spirit by posting on social media sporting your 2022 National Invitational colors by using #SDTriLevel.

PLAYER LUNCHES:

Every registered player will receive a boxed style lunch on both Friday and Saturday. Lunches will be provided from 11:30am -1:30pm each day. Vegetarian options available.

TRAINER:

There will be a trainer on-site to assist with athletic injuries. The trainer will have access to ice for injuries only.

AWARDS:

Awards and banners will be given to teams that finish in the champion, finalist, third and fourth positions.

PLAYER GIFTS:

All players registered for the National Invitational will receive player gifts.

Team photos will be taken throughout the weekend as well as candid shots.

Team captains will make an appointment for their team photo prior to their first match.

Photos will be available online after the event.

For each team, there will be a minimum requirement of six (6) players, providing for one doubles team, in the 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 ability levels, to a maximum of 12 players per team. This can be any combination of NTRP levels as long as the total number of players on a roster is 12 or less, and there are at least two players on-site and available for the entire weekend at each NTRP level of 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5. 

For example, a team could have three 3.5, five 4.0 and four 4.5 players. As this Invitational is intended to provide level-based play, players should not play up NTRP levels unless there is an on-site injury or extenuating circumstances that require a team to play a player up a level to avoid defaulting a court.

We will allow for one non-playing captain to attend and not be counted towards the 12 allowed roster players. This captain must be the same captain that is listed in TennisLink.

MINIMUM MATCH REQUIREMENT:

A player is eligible to advance to the USTA Tom Fey Tri-Level National Invitational if that player has played on that same team in at least two (2) matches through section championships with one default received that may count for advancing. A retired match shall count for all players involved. All individual team members must be from the appropriate level of play in accordance with the NTRP system, players will play at the NTRP level that they were assigned/played the 2022 Championship year.

Captains will receive a roster email for their team prior to their event with the NTRP ratings at which each of the players are eligible to play.

The USTA National Staff Representative will verify all player ratings and eligibility prior to the start of the Invitational once rosters have been received from the respective section offices.

Click here to view the National Tri-Level Invitational FAQ.

ACCEPTED RATING TYPES:

Computer “C” Rated Players: Players must have a valid “C” rating after the 2022 year-end ratings have been published in order to participate in the Tri-Level National Invitational in 2022.

Question: If a “”C” computer-generated player who competes in 2022 gets bumped up when year-end ratings are released, can they still participate at the NTRP level they played at in 2022?

Example: 3.5 “C” computer-rated player gets bumped up to 4.0 “C”. Can they still play in the in the invitational at the 3.5 “C” level?

Answer: Yes, as a “C” computer-generated player, this player MAY play in the Tri-Level National Invitational held in 2023 at the NTRP level they played at in 2022.

Example: 3.5 “C” computer-rated player gets bumped up to 4.0 “C”. They are eligible to play in the invitational at 3.5 “C”.

Should a player move up TWO LEVELS at year-end, they must play at their NEW HIGHEST LEVEL instead of their original rostered level.

Example: If a 3.5 “C” computer-rated player gets bumped up to 4.5 “C” – they must play at the 4.5 level.

Question: If a “C” rated player appeals their 2022 year-end rating down and is now showing as an “A” appealed player, are they able to play at their lower appealed rating?

Answer: Yes. If a player earned a “C” year-end rating in 2022 and they appealed their rating down through TennisLink Auto Appeal and now have a verifiable “A” rating, they will be allowed to play at the “C” rating level they had throughout 2022.

For example, if a player played the 2022 season with a 3.5 “C” rating and earned a 4.0 “C”; 2022-year end rating and they appeal their rating down to a 3.5 “A” they may play at the Tri-Level invitational as a 3.5-rated player.

“S” Self-Rated, “A” Appealed, “M” Mixed, or “T” Tournament

“S” Self rated, “A” Appealed, “M” Mixed, or “T” Tournament players may only play if they earn a “C” computer year-end rating when the 2022 year-end ratings are published, and they must play at the “C” rating level that they earned with the 2022 year-end ratings.

Question: If a “S” self-rated, “A” appealed, “M” mixed, or “T” tournament player who competed in 2022 gets bumped up in the 2022 year-end ratings, can they still participate at the NTRP level they played at in 2022? Example: A 3.5 “S” self-rated, “A” appealed, “M” mixed, or “T” tournament player gets bumped up to 4.0 “C”. Can they still play in the 2022 event at the 3.5 level?

Answer: No. A “S” self-rated, “M” mixed, or “T” tournament player may ONLY play if they earned a “C” year-end rating in 2022 and they MUST play at the “C” computer rating that they earned in the 2021 year-end ratings.

Example: An “S” self-rated, “M” mixed, or “T” tournament player gets bumped up to 4.0 “C” they must play at the 4.0 NTRP level at the Tri Level Invitational held in 2022. Note that an “S” self-rated, “M” mixed, or “T” tournament 4.5 player who got bumped up to 5.0 “C” WOULD NOT be eligible to play in the event held in 2023.

FINAL RATING ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS WILL BE MADE BY THE TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE.

All players must meet NTRP eligibility requirements and minimum match requirements. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Teams will compete in four unflighted matches against randomly selected opponents. Teams can expect to play two matches on Friday and two matches on Saturday. On Sunday, the top four teams, based on TennisLink standings, will advance to the semifinals, followed by the finals and the 3rd/4th place match.

In the event of a team match tie, the tie will be broken by the first of the following procedures:

– Winner of the most individual matches in the competition.
– Winner of head-to-head match (winner of head-to-head match only if all tied teams have played each other and one team defeated all the teams that are tied).
– Loser of the fewest number of sets.
– Loser of the fewest number of games.
– Game Winning Percentage: Total games won divided by total
games played. Calculation of game-winning percentage does not
include defaulted matches.
– A method to be determined by the Invitational Committee.
Procedure to be announced prior to commencement of
championship competition.

Please note: Format and schedule are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Best of two tiebreak sets with a ten-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set.

Match Tiebreak (ten points, win by two):

When the score in an individual match is one set all, a match tiebreak shall be played in lieu of a third set. This tiebreak game replaces the deciding final set. The player/team who first wins ten points (win by two) shall win this match tiebreak and the match. If the score goes to 9 -9 and beyond, players continue to play until there is a winning margin of two points (i.e. 11-9, 12-10, 15-13, etc).

Two-minute rest between the first and second set and between the second and third set match tiebreak.

Coman tiebreak procedures apply to all tiebreak sets including the match tiebreaker. First team serves one time, followed by two serves for each team thereafter. Change sides after the first serve and then after every four points thereafter. (Note: Easy way to remember in doubles is that each player will serve from the same side.)

Barnes Tennis Center

Thursday, March 16th

Considerable warmup courts will be available beginning at 1:00pm. Courts will be assigned on a first come first serve basis and limited to 30 minutes if others are waiting. Teams are asked to be courteous and cooperative to ensure all teams get equal opportunity.  

Friday & Saturday, March 17 & 18

Warm-up courts will not be available on site after 7:30am.

Sunday, March 18th

Courts will be available on a first come first serve basis prior to semifinal matches.

OFF-SITE LOCATIONS:

Public Courts; First come, first serve basis.

Mission Bay High School
2475 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109

Point Loma Cabrillo Tennis Club
1049 Catalina Blvd, San Diego, CA 92106

Clubs by Reservation (these clubs have no affiliation with the event; reservations must be made independently.)

Peninsula Tennis Club
2525 Bacon St.
(619) 226-3407

Pacific Beach Tennis Club
2639 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 273-9177

Within 15-20 minutes, but good options:

Balboa Tennis Club (By Reservation)
2221 Morley Field Dr, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 295-9278

Coronado High School (First come, first serve)
555 D Ave., Coronado, CA 92118

Coming soon!

USTA Rules and League Regulations and Friend at Court will be enforced during championships.

All match lineups must be submitted via Match Tennis Team by the team captain at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the scheduled match time.

All matches will be on a “followed by” basis meaning matches may start prior to the scheduled match time if courts are available.

Penalties maybe enforced at the Tournament Director’s discretion for
lateness even if a match is starting prior to the scheduled match time.

COACHING:

No coaching is allowed by captains, teammates, or spectators. Cell phones or electronic devices are not allowed on court. Smart watches must be in airplane mode or removed.

Please work out problems on court as best as you can. If players are not able to work out a dispute, one of them may come to the Tournament desk to request the Referee. (Please note that captains and/or spectators should not be involved with decision making or requesting an official without a player’s consent.)

TENNIS BALLS:

4.5 Level Matches – ProPenn Marathon Extra Duty
3.5 & 4.0 Matches – Penn Championship Extra Duty

ROVING UMPIRES:

There will be roving certified tournament referees onsite at all times. Players are encouraged to play tennis without the need for umpires to be present for matches. In the case of disputed calls and upon the request of the player, a tournament referee may be requested to assist players as needed.

Thursday, March 17th from 5:00-7:00pm

On-Court – Warm up courts, drills and hit for prizes.
Off-Court – Food and drink, player check in, lawn games, music and photo ops.

AIRPORT INFORMATION:

San Diego International Airport (SAN) – Approximately ten minutes from event location.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Approximately two hours with no traffic–plan for heavy traffic.

What day should players plan to arrive at Nationals?

It is advisable that all players arrive at their hotel and acclimate to the time change and weather no later than Thursday. Arriving on Friday morning is risky and may cause stress to both players and captains if flights or traffic cause delays. Even if you view your match schedule and see that your team’s first match is later in the day on Friday, all players should still arrive on Thursday as schedules change right up to the start of play.

If our team makes it to the Sunday playoffs, what is the earliest matches and awards ceremony will be completed so we can plan returning flights to home?

The Sunday semis and finals and awards are typically completed by 3:00pm. We present awards as teams complete their matches in order to help teams in a hurry to catch flights. We highly recommend that you do not book flights earlier than 6:00pm. You want to be sure to play your best and not worry about missing or changing flights while you’re playing.

KEY TO PLAY!

Staying with our hotel partners give you a chance to win some fun prizes. If you stay at one of the hotels listed below you will receive a “Key to Play” upon hotel check-in. Bring this key to the tournament for a chance to win exciting raffle prizes.

Raffle prize packages include Therabody, Tennis Warehouse, Athleta, SwingVision and more. Each valued at up to $200.

HOTELS:

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay

1441 Quivira Rd.
San Diego, CA 92109

Dates – March 16 through March 18
Book By – February 16
Rates – $299-349 per night

Click here to book at Hyatt Regency!

Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station

2592 Laning Rd.
San Diego, CA 92106

Dates – March 15 through March 21
Book By – February 15
Rates – $229 per night

Click here to book at Courtyard San Diego!

Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Airport/Liberty Station

2593 Laning Rd.
San Diego, CA 92106

Dates – March 15 through March 21
Book By – February 15
Rates – $239 per night

Click here to book at Homewood Suites!

Holiday Inn Bay Side

4875 N Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92106

Dates – March 15 through March 19
Book By – February 22
Rates – $209 per night

Click here to book at Holiday Inn!

TownePlace Suites San Diego Airport/Liberty Station

2311 Lee Ct.
San Diego, CA 92101

Dates – March 15 through March 20
Book By – February 13
Rates – $219-229 per night

Click here to book at TownePlace Suites!

Hampton Inn Liberty Station

2211 Lee Ct.
San Diego, CA 92101

Dates – March 15 through March 21
Book By – February 17
Rates – $189-199 per night

Click here to book at Hampton Inn!

The Monsaraz San Diego

1451 Rosecrans St.
San Diego, CA 92106

Dates – March 15th through March 20th
Book By – February 15
Rates – $199 per night

Click here to book at Monsaraz San Diego!

We recommend that spectators bring an umbrella for protection from the sun and a portable chair. Many of the courts do not have covered spectator seating.

Players and spectators should bring their own water vessel to be sure to continuously hydrate. Water stations will be available throughout the facility. There is a snack bar on site.

Don’t forget sunscreen and a visor or hat!

STATE & LOCAL COVID PROTOCOLS:

Currently, the State of California and the Barnes Tennis Center do not have any outdoor mask mandates in place, nor do they have any restrictions on spectators attending outdoor events of this size.

USTA Southern California  and the host facility strongly recommend that all players and spectators wear a mask when inside the building regardless of their vaccination status. They also request that players and spectators do not congregate inside the building and that traffic moves in and out at a prompt pace. There is seating outside that players and spectators may use, players and spectators may also bring in their own chairs for seating. We encourage players to leave the facility in between matches and return to their hotels, grab a bite to eat, etc., and not remain at
the courts.

Please adhere to CDC guidelines when determining to attend the event as a player or spectator.

The following guidelines and procedures will be used during this championship. Please review them carefully. Any staff member on site will be glad to assist you with the forms and answer any questions on procedures.

3.03C(1) Any grievance alleging a violation during championships competition shall be in writing and delivered to the duly appointed site director or designee prior to whichever occurs first: (a) within 30 minutes of the completion of the involved team’s match or (b) the commencement of the involved team’s next match, whether or not the involved player participates except for Administrative Grievances (See Reg. 3.03A(2), Eligibility Grievances (See Reg. 3.03B(3) and NTRP Grievances (See Reg. 3.03E(3).)

3.03E(3) NTRP Grievances will not be accepted.

3.03B(1) The Grievance Appeal Committee shall not be required to hold any hearing except as provided in 3.04B(2). Its decision may be based entirely on the findings of fact by the Grievance Committee whose decision is being appealed and, on the facts, and arguments submitted in writing by the parties to the appeal.

Please note that the tournament format, number of matches and match length may change due to a team not showing up or circumstances beyond our control such as weather. However, rain or extreme heat could cause delays, modifications to the format, and possible cancellation of the tournament. There are NO indoor back-up courts where the championships can be played in the event of rain.

In the event of rain or suspension of play caused by extreme heat, please remain at the tournament site until the tournament staff informs you of the play schedule. In the event of a long rain delay or heat suspension, it will be at the discretion of the Tournament Committee to use an alternative-playing format.

If the championship, or part of the championships is cancelled due to rain or unforeseen circumstances, the championship will not be rescheduled.

There will be roving certified tournament referees onsite at all times. Players are encouraged to play tennis without the need for umpires to be present for matches. In the case of disputed calls and upon the request of the player, a tournament referee may be requested to assist players as needed.

Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego
4077 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 294-8111
Emergency Room: Open 24 hours

Urgent Care & More San Diego
3434 Midway Dr. #1002
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 225-6200
Hours:
8am – 6pm Monday – Friday
8am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday

For all other emergencies, please call 911.