Don't shoot the messenger, ugh...New revised suspension dates

[Brilliant]

This was just posted. Interesting how they moved didn't wait until closer to 3 May to update it. Also notice the cancellation of Nationals.

~~~~~~~~~




April 13, 2020


UPDATE ON SUSPENSION OF PLAY AND EVENT CHANGES


Due to the continued situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and after discussions with the USTA Medical Advisory Committee, effective immediately the USTA will extend the suspension of USTA sanctioned products and events through May 31. This includes:


 Adult and Junior Tournaments


 USTA League


 USTA Junior Team Tennis


 USTA Social Leagues


 Team Challenge


 Team Tournaments


 USTA Schools programs


 Tennis on Campus


 Wheelchair events


Additionally, recognizing the evolving and fast-changing nature of this situation, the USTA will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about events and activities taking place after May 31.


All Category 1 and Super Category 2 National Adult Tournaments with an ITF status, all ITF Junior events, all Junior, Adult and Wheelchair L1 - L3 events, and all USTA Pro Circuit and professional events will align with the same calendar as the ITF, ATP and WTA, and be suspended through July 12. The National Clay Court Championships, slated to begin on July 11, will proceed as scheduled, at this time.


"The impact of COVID-19 has been felt across the tennis landscape, and it is our goal to ensure that the sport is able to be played in a safe and healthy fashion at the parks and facilities throughout the country once the pandemic subsides," said Patrick Galbraith, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. "One of the greatest aspects of this game is that it fosters a true community, and we look forward to the time when we can return to our local courts and use tennis to unite us all, once again."


The determination has also been made to suspend the calculation and publication of the National Standings List (NSL) for Adult, Junior and Wheelchair play until further notice. The NSL published on March 18 will serve as the most current until tournament competition resumes.


In addition, to ensure that play taking place at local facilities will be the focus once the pandemic subsides, the following events will be canceled for 2020:


 USTA League National Championships


 USTA Junior Team Tennis National Championships


 USTA Intersectional Team Championships


The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., is currently closed to the public. The facility’s Indoor Tennis Center has been converted to a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients, while Louis Armstrong Stadium is being utilized as a commissary to facilitate the creation of meal packages that are being distributed to patients, workers and New York City school children.


The USTA National Campus, in the Lake Nona area of Orlando, Fla., will remain closed for play and instructional opportunities through May 31.


Any patron who wishes to cancel participation in a scheduled activity should contact the specific location for refund information. These policies will be in effect pending additional guidance or directives from each local governmental agency and the CDC. The USTA will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about all activities at these facilities.

 

[kevrol]

Been saying all along they were going to cancel League Nationals. Smart move.

Has this been officially posted by USTA?

 

[Brilliant]

Yup it's been posted on some States (District) pages, guess it hasn't hit some local associations yet. TennisLink still shows 3 May. Opinions if Sectionals will stand but pushed out far to the right?

 

[Nostradamus]

This was just posted. Interesting how they moved didn't wait until closer to 3 May to update it. Also notice the cancellation of Nationals.

~~~~~~~~~




April 13, 2020


UPDATE ON SUSPENSION OF PLAY AND EVENT CHANGES


Due to the continued situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and after discussions with the USTA Medical Advisory Committee, effective immediately the USTA will extend the suspension of USTA sanctioned products and events through May 31. This includes:


 Adult and Junior Tournaments


 USTA League


 USTA Junior Team Tennis


 USTA Social Leagues


 Team Challenge


 Team Tournaments


 USTA Schools programs


 Tennis on Campus


 Wheelchair events


Additionally, recognizing the evolving and fast-changing nature of this situation, the USTA will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about events and activities taking place after May 31.


All Category 1 and Super Category 2 National Adult Tournaments with an ITF status, all ITF Junior events, all Junior, Adult and Wheelchair L1 - L3 events, and all USTA Pro Circuit and professional events will align with the same calendar as the ITF, ATP and WTA, and be suspended through July 12. The National Clay Court Championships, slated to begin on July 11, will proceed as scheduled, at this time.


"The impact of COVID-19 has been felt across the tennis landscape, and it is our goal to ensure that the sport is able to be played in a safe and healthy fashion at the parks and facilities throughout the country once the pandemic subsides," said Patrick Galbraith, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. "One of the greatest aspects of this game is that it fosters a true community, and we look forward to the time when we can return to our local courts and use tennis to unite us all, once again."


The determination has also been made to suspend the calculation and publication of the National Standings List (NSL) for Adult, Junior and Wheelchair play until further notice. The NSL published on March 18 will serve as the most current until tournament competition resumes.


In addition, to ensure that play taking place at local facilities will be the focus once the pandemic subsides, the following events will be canceled for 2020:


 USTA League National Championships


 USTA Junior Team Tennis National Championships


 USTA Intersectional Team Championships


The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., is currently closed to the public. The facility’s Indoor Tennis Center has been converted to a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients, while Louis Armstrong Stadium is being utilized as a commissary to facilitate the creation of meal packages that are being distributed to patients, workers and New York City school children.


The USTA National Campus, in the Lake Nona area of Orlando, Fla., will remain closed for play and instructional opportunities through May 31.


Any patron who wishes to cancel participation in a scheduled activity should contact the specific location for refund information. These policies will be in effect pending additional guidance or directives from each local governmental agency and the CDC. The USTA will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about all activities at these facilities.

So this doesnt' affect the Summer USTA leagues...…………...YooHOooooooooooo. Awsome news

 

[WildVolley]

Wow. I guess if San Diego 18+ League happens it really will be pushed to summer.

Hey everybody! Let's play jump the gun! Yeah!!

 

[Brilliant]

My only guess about cancelling Nationals is that most Sectionals are impacted more than others where they may not even be able to have Sectionals, or even Districts (NY, NJ, etc).
Yup they sure did jump the gun by moving the date so quickly. Over/under...think we'll get another update the first week of May moving it to July??

 

[schmke]

Not a surprise in general, but I was thinking/hoping they would wait longer to announce it. But I guess none of their back-up plans allows for a June 1 resumption and still fitting everything in. I honestly thought they made reduce the number of Nationals, perhaps do just 18+, and move those events to the later October and into November dates.

I agree, a section could still choose to resume play and have a fairly normal sequence of play through Sectionals, and just play those in September/October/November instead of the July/August many sections typically do. My guess is some will, but many won't.

 

[J011yroger]

Link?

J

 

[Brilliant]

Hold please...

 

[schmke]

Wrote on my blog, but the link I'm allowed to post is this: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/723/15/0413_-_suspension_of_play_and_event_changes.pdf

 

[Fridge]

So will new rankings still come out in December?

 

[Brilliant]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/723/15/0413_-_suspension_of_play_and_event_changes.pdf which came from...

http://www.georgia.usta.com/ (See Updated COVID)

 

[J011yroger]

Guess the narrator was right, 2020 would not be my year.

J

 

[Brilliant]

Anybody else get notifications or updates on websites with the above??

 

[McLovin]

Anybody else get notifications or updates on websites with the above??

According to my 'source', the announcement wasn't supposed to go out until 4PM, which is probably why no one else has heard. Apparently *somebody* jumped the gun...

 

[kevrol]

According to my 'source', the announcement wasn't supposed to go out until 4PM, which is probably why no one else has heard. Apparently *somebody* jumped the gun...

Would say your source is probably pretty good on that. North Carolina USTA posted a 4/13 update with the language in the OP and now it's not there anymore.

 

[Brilliant]

LOL Hopefully they'll pull the entire suspension!! ….the Northeast Governors are now making an announcement (Cuomo on now) on reopening their economy

 

[fngmoe]

It's still on GA's site...

 

[Brilliant]

It's now on Mississippi site...

 

[McLovin]

Would say your source is probably pretty good on that. North Carolina USTA posted a 4/13 update with the language in the OP and now it's not there anymore.

Given the ‘source’ (a) works at the National Campus, (b) in the adult league department, and (c) is my daughter, I’d say it’s a pretty good source...

 

[WildVolley]

Just received this email from the USTA.

 

[kevrol]

Given the ‘source’ (a) works at the National Campus, (b) in the adult league department, and (c) is my daughter, I’d say it’s a pretty good source...

Could've saved us both time and energy if you just said that originally.

 

[Doan]

Guess the narrator was right, 2020 would not be my year.

Narrator: 2020 would not be anyone's year

 

[Brilliant]

Email from our State (District) Coordinator:

Happy Monday! Below is the latest update from USTA National regarding the suspension of play which has been extended to at least May 31st. USTA SC has not cancelled any leagues at this time, but we are postponing our Spring State Championships to another time to be determined once we get back out on the courts. As we make decisions regarding our leagues, we will inform you of those decisions. We are not addressing refunds at this time. Those will be addressed once the final decisions have been made regarding league play. Hang in there! Let's all do our part and we will get back out on the courts soon! Have a great day!

 

[Brilliant]

SC is South Carolina

 

[schmke]

Got an e-mail, basically the letter posted above, but with a link to an FAQ on Nationals and another link with specifics for PNW. Wrote more on my blog, but in PNW, no Sectionals, Spring/Summer leagues canceled, in their place a free "Welcome Back to Tennis" league will be played in the summer. League fees already paid for canceled seasons can be transferred to a Fall advancing league (we have ESLs for 2021 leagues in the Fall) which are planned to go on as normal at this point.

 

[J011yroger]

What's the point of having sectionals without nationals?

J

 

[kevrol]

What's the point of having sectionals without nationals?

J

Bag tags. Duh!

 

[Brilliant]

Good point J...here's a thought, it's almost like College Football. Have Nationals next March in the "warm spots" of the Nation for the 2020 season?? Even though year end ratings won't be affected by them

 

[J011yroger]

Bag tags. Duh!

I never got a bag-tag from sectionals, only nationals.

J

 

[J011yroger]

Bag tags. Duh!

I never got a bag-tag from sectionals, only nationals.

J

J

 

[Deleted member 768841]

Man, I’mma have so many freshly strung racquets for when we EVENTUALLY start again.....

 

[schmke]

Good point J...here's a thought, it's almost like College Football. Have Nationals next March in the "warm spots" of the Nation for the 2020 season?? Even though year end ratings won't be affected by them

The National FAQ did mention they considered a Spring Nationals, and in fact the Invitationals held then and NTRP Tournament Nationals are still planned, but decided not to move League Nationals to that timeframe.

 

[J011yroger]

Man, I’mma have so many freshly strung racquets for when we EVENTUALLY start again.....

Lol, I haven't broken a string in over a month. Should be around 5/week.

J

 

[schmke]

I just heard that Eastern has also canceled Sectionals and will be offering other leagues in the Summer to encourage players to come back and play.

 

[McLovin]

Lol, I haven't broken a string in over a month.

Welcome to my world...

Seriously, sometimes I feel like such a wuss. I'm not a terrible player (4.5/5.0), don't 'push' the ball, although I don't crush it either...more in the style of Ferrer, but with less topspin off the forehand. Yet I rarely break a string (not counting mishits).

 

[!<-_->!]

Looks like USTA Norcal will not be canceling 18+ for now.

2020 Adult 18&Over
The 2020 Adult 18 & Over league will be modified and played this fall to allow all players to participate in singles and/or doubles matches in order to generate rating data. This league will advance through the playoffs and have a compressed Section championship. All players currently registered in this league will receive a credit to their account to use for a future team. All teams/players will need to re-register and the $29 player fee will be honored. Tentative dates for this league are listed below:

• Team Registration: June 8-July 13
• Playing Season: August 10-October 2
• Local League Playoffs: Oct. 15 - 18, 22-25
• Area Playoffs, if an area is divided into 2 flights: Oct. Oct. 29-Nov.1
• Section Championship TENTATIVE date: November 13-15, 2020

 

[schmke]

Looks like USTA Norcal will not be canceling 18+ for now.

2020 Adult 18&Over
The 2020 Adult 18 & Over league will be modified and played this fall to allow all players to participate in singles and/or doubles matches in order to generate rating data. This league will advance through the playoffs and have a compressed Section championship. All players currently registered in this league will receive a credit to their account to use for a future team. All teams/players will need to re-register and the $29 player fee will be honored. Tentative dates for this league are listed below:

• Team Registration: June 8-July 13
• Playing Season: August 10-October 2
• Local League Playoffs: Oct. 15 - 18, 22-25
• Area Playoffs, if an area is divided into 2 flights: Oct. Oct. 29-Nov.1
• Section Championship TENTATIVE date: November 13-15, 2020

So the extra $25 facility use fee disappeared. Good move, that would be piling on given the impact to a lot of folks who may not be working or lost their job.

 

[!<-_->!]

So the extra $25 facility use fee disappeared. Good move, that would be piling on given the impact to a lot of folks who may not be working or lost their job.

Hidden in a separate FAQ:

What about the league fee increase? We understand that many players are upset over the league fee increase that was voted on and passed by our Board of Directors. We want to assure you that your opinions, thoughts and concerns were heard and have been directed to our Board of Directors. Our league staff is not in the position to answer any further questions/comments regarding the fee and it is our understanding that they will be addressed by our Board of Directors.

 

[LOBALOT]

I really feel bad for the kids. They are cancelling some really cool sectional tournaments. They are also canceling the district qualifiers for the kids to get into our section closed championships and they are canceling the sectional championships.

Personally, this was my son's last summer before his senior year of high school. He is in the middle of recruiting so coaches can't see him compete this summer. It is really too bad.

 

[Injured Again]

Got an e-mail, basically the letter posted above, but with a link to an FAQ on Nationals and another link with specifics for PNW. Wrote more on my blog, but in PNW, no Sectionals, Spring/Summer leagues canceled, in their place a free "Welcome Back to Tennis" league will be played in the summer. League fees already paid for canceled seasons can be transferred to a Fall advancing league (we have ESLs for 2021 leagues in the Fall) which are planned to go on as normal at this point.

My understanding is this "welcome back to tennis" league is only PNW. What do you make of it, and how do you think it will be organized? What do you think the incentive will be for Clubs to give up court time for it unless the USTA compensates them? And if the USTA does compensate clubs, where is that money coming from since they're not charging fees?

 

[Brilliant]

I sent a note to my Sectional Coordinator. In it I asked about it being possible that the USTA "roll out" the resumption of play by Section where certain States would be able to get back on the court AFTER The Stay at Home is lifted AND people are allowed to play at their respective courts. In the request "National" would allow each Section to determine the validity of the league resuming, while not bypassing State (Executive) and Local Ordinances.

He mentioned that the Section Exec Directors have brought it to the USTA's attention about some areas being ready to resume league play while others were not ready and they are waiting on a final decision on it. Also he feels that it will be pushed more to allow some places to commence before others.

 

[Jack the Hack]

My understanding is this "welcome back to tennis" league is only PNW. What do you make of it, and how do you think it will be organized? What do you think the incentive will be for Clubs to give up court time for it unless the USTA compensates them? And if the USTA does compensate clubs, where is that money coming from since they're not charging fees?

For the incentive reason you mentioned, I don't think there will be a lot of excitement about this idea in the PNW. Especially when many clubs will be hosting summer tournaments (which I believe bring in more money) and catering to the members that have been away to retain them. Plus, a lot of people will likely be wanting to travel and enjoy summer whenever the world opens up again since the sun is at a premium up here.

The only feedback I've heard is from a couple friends of mine that got screwed by the cancellation of Sectionals and Nationals. One had won the 9.0 mixed league already and the other was 7-0 and in first place with his 18s 4.5 team. Neither have been to Nationals yet and were really primed to make it this year, so they are really bummed... and not interested in a "welcome back to tennis" league that doesn't sound particularly competitive.