Registering for USTA Tournaments

[Silverdragon795]

I just registered for a USTA membership today and wanted to participate in some tournaments just for fun and competitive experience. Right now, I would have to register for the Boys 18's division.

I was wondering if anyone knew any good tournaments to enter in the New Jersey area.

Also, from many of the tournaments, I see that they say "Players are selected manually by the tournament director after the close of registration." Registration is open to everyone, but is a spot in the tournament not?Does this mean that players can be denied a spot in the tournament?

Ugh... I'm so confused. Any experienced players want to help a bit?

 

[ClarkC]

A tournament might have a limit on the number of players (e.g. 8 for a one-day event). Usually, the tournament page says that selections are based on rankings. Some directors reserve the right to consider rankings from a lower age group for players playing up, etc., so they just say that they will select manually. Don't worry about it. You have no ranking and might miss a tourney or two until you get one, but just apply for what you want to play in and don't worry about things you cannot control.

 

[Silverdragon795]

okay. thanks. If we are denied a spot in a tourney, will we get a refund for the registration fee or do we pay after we've been accepted?

 

[3lowdown]

what... no. All that means is that the draws will be made by the director according to ranking. No one will get cut from a tournament.

 

[Silverdragon795]

o. I get it. Thanks a lot for clearing things up. =D

From past (or present) experience, how good should I expect people to be in district/local competitions? (on NRTP scale?).

It would just suck if I get eliminated in the 1st round. =/

 

[3lowdown]

Well i live in kansas, you live in new york but i would imagine that it is going to be the same here as it is there.

Basically you will find maybe a couple pretty solid players in these open tournaments. Most of the other solid players have already played and won all the smaller tournaments and have moved on to the next level (futures). So a guestimation of what you would encounter is about a 3.0 to a 4.5.

 

[ClarkC]

what... no. All that means is that the draws will be made by the director according to ranking. No one will get cut from a tournament.

Wrong. If it says players will be selected manually by the tournament director, it means that some players will get refunds if they are not selected.

There is boilerplate language on USTA tournaments for different kinds of selection. If it says all applicants will be selected, then it means they will just expand the number of rounds to accommodate the number of applicants. If it says players will be selected based on ranking, then the director is obligated to take the top N players based on the rankings for that age group, where N matches the size of the tournament, number of days allotted for it, etc.

Here is an example from Virginia of one type of selection:

Coventry Virginia Commonwealth Games Junior - L5

It says: "No Selection Process. All registered players will be selected." That is the boilerplate USTA language for tournaments that do not reject any applicants and refund their money.

Here is an example of the kind of tournament the original poster mentioned:

Glenmore Junior Smash Series Tournament #3

It says: "Players are selected manually by the tournament director after the close of registration." This is the boilerplate language that appears, word for word, for tournaments that are limited to N entrants. This is a one-day event. Per USTA regulations, they cannot make players play more than three singles matches in a day. So, they cannot allow more than 8 in the tourney. The director will select the top 8 and refund money to everyone else.

 

[3lowdown]

wow you did your homework, well from personal experience i have never been, seen, or heard of anyone not being able to play by these circumstances.

Well anyways, this tournament is going to be very very small and not be worth many points anyways so look for others.

 

[Silverdragon795]

Wait. If the director manually picks participants, do they necessarily have to be ranked? They can't be new USTA members?

 

[3lowdown]

Well you could be chosen, it all just depends on who signed up for the tournament. There might be a couple people who are doing their first tourney as well.

 

[ClarkC]

Wait. If the director manually picks participants, do they necessarily have to be ranked? They can't be new USTA members?

There might not be an excess of applicants, so it could be that all applicants are selected anyway.

 

[Silverdragon795]

okay. So... when I register for a tournament, they ask for my card number. I assume they'll charge me the entry fee.

So... if I'm not selected, do I get a refund, or will I just waste $$??

 

[klu375]

For tournaments with selection process your credit card should not be charged (or the check cashed) until you are selected.