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 tournament desk Match Tennis Team app is available for download on your mobile device.

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

Players can download the app or use onsite QR codes 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

Click here to download the Match Tennis Team app.

Click here for the Match Tennis live info page.

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

Registration will open in January 2025.

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 to play at this event. Registration will open on December 1.

WHERE:

Virtual Captains’ Meeting via Zoom

WHEN:

More information coming soon!

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

Captains must check in at Barnes Tennis Center the evening prior to their event start date:

3.5 / 4.0 / 4.5 – March 5^{th –} 5pm-7pm
4.0 / 4.5 / 5.0 – March 6^th – 5pm-7pm
3.0 / 3.5 / 4.0 – March 7^th – 5pm-7pm

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 2024 USTA League National Invitational!

Every team that qualifies is encouraged to show their section spirit for the 2023 National Invitational by using their section’s designated color.

Click here for section colors.

Show us your spirit by posting on social media sporting your 2024 National Invitational colors by using #USTASoCal. Prizes may be involved.

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 gift(s).

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

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

Per team, there is minimum requirement of six (6) players to a maximum of eighteen (18) players.  The roster minimum must include at least two (2) at-level players for each of the competing ratings levels. For example, in the 3.5 / 4.0 / 4.5 division there must be two 3.5 players, two 4.0 players and two 4.5 players rostered and onsite ready to play for each team match.  

This invitational is intended to provide level-based play.  Players shall 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.  All deviations from at level play require prematch approval from the tournament director.    

Players may not compete on multiple teams at this invitational. 

We will allow for one non-playing captain to attend and not be counted towards the 20 allowed roster players. This captain must be the same captain that is listed in TennisLink and must register on Match Team Tennis.  Captains are required to pay the registration fees.

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 at for the 2023 Championship year. In extreme cases the tournament committee may waive the same team requirement but may not waive the two match requirement.

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

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.

INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBILITY WAIVER REQUESTS

Individual and team eligibility waivers will not be accepted for the 2023 Tri-Level National Invitational for any division. Players that do not meet the match requirements will not be eligible to participate in the National Invitational.

All individual team members must be from the appropriate level of play in accordance with the NTRP system. These rules apply to all NTRP divisions. 

To be eligible to compete in the Invitational:

– Players must have a valid “C” (computer-generated NTRP rating) or an “A” computer-generated NTRP rating their “C” rating after the 2024 year-end ratings are published.

– If the player appeals their “C” rating up or down after 2024 year-end ratings and granted, the player may still play at the rostered level or original “C” rating generated from year-end ratings.

– All 2023 “C” rated and “A” computer-generated rated players must play at the level at which they were rostered in the 2024 season.

– All “T”, “S” and “M” rated players must play at the C rating generated/published at the end of the 2024 season. If they do not receive a C rating after the 2024 year-end ratings, they are ineligible to participate in the Invitational.

Teams can expect to play four matches across two consecutive days. On the third day of each division, the top four teams, based on TennisLink standings, will advance to the semifinals, followed by the finals and the 3rd/4th place match.

The standings will be determined by:

– Overall team record.
– 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).

A two-minute rest is allowed 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: An easy way to remember in doubles is that each player will serve from the same side.)

Warm-up court information will be available in February 2025.

The match schedule will be available in February 2025.

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 may be 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 & 5.0 Level Matches – ProPenn Marathon Extra Duty
3.0, 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.

RETIREMENT PROCEDURE:

All players registering should do so with the understanding that they are expected to play all matches to completion. If a player intends to retire from any match because of injury, they must first notify an official/the tournament desk and trainer. If a player intends to default any match, they must first notify an official/the tournament desk.

Failure to do so may result in a grievance being filed and if upheld, penalties may include the player(s) being declared ineligible to participate in future matches at the Invitational.

Players who retire in the semifinals may not compete in the finals.

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 the day before their first scheduled match. Arriving the morning of your first match is risky and may cause stress to both players and captains if flights or traffic cause delays.

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 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.

HOTELS:

Hotel information coming soon!

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, the Barnes Tennis Center and the Balboa Tennis Club do not have any mask mandates in place, nor do they have any restrictions on spectators attending outdoor events. If this changes, we will adjust our protocols accordingly.  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 championship, is canceled 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.