ONLINE SYSTEM AND TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
What is TennisLink?
TennisLink is USTA’s online system for USTA players who compete in tournaments and leagues. For tournament players TennisLink includes tournament home pages, the online registration system, and the rankings and standings.
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How can I learn tournaments and how to register online?
Click here to review information on the Player Info Web page.
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What if I have questions about online registration or a problem with the TennisLink system?
E mail USTA’s Linkteam@usta.com per the instructions at the bottom of the TennisLink registration page and other web page.
If
Linkteam cannot resolve the issue, please contact the Tournament Director, or contact Jim Purington,
USTA New England Tournament and Ranking Manager: purington@newengland.usta.com
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At what age can I register for adult tournament events?
Open and Family events – players may be of any age.
Senior divisions (35, 35, 50, etc.) – players must be at or older than the age level of the event, or turn that age within the calendar year.
NTRP divisions – players must be 18 or older, or turn 18 within the calendar year. A player turning 18 in November can play in March.
See Section I.A.2.b of the regulations for additional details.
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GENERAL TOURNAMENT QUESTIONS
How can I correct a tournament record?
Tournament results are entered and posted by the tournament director. Please contact the tournament director if there is an error in a tournament result. The tournament director will need to know the date of the tournament, the division in which you played, and the details of the discrepancy (name of opponent, scores, etc.)
The tournament director will update the record and upload the changes to the tournament home page (note the date stamp). The updated information will be included in the standings the next time the list is calculated and published after the update.
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What are Sectional and Designated tournaments?
The Sectional Championship (one per Division) counts as two tournaments for eligibility, and is weighted 1.7 in the STAR ranking calculations. There is one Sectional per Division of play. A Designated event counts as one tournament for eligibility, and is weighted 1.3 for ranking. The number of Designated events per Division of play varies (many Divisions do not have Designated events).
For players who play National tournaments and are Nationally ranked, some Designated events are also coded as "national sectionals" for National points.
"Regular" events count as one tournament for eligibility, and are weighted 1.0 for ranking.
More information including a summary of ranking requirements is in Section III.A of the regulations.
www.ustanewengland.com > Adults > Tournaments > Regulations
A listing of Sectional and Designated tournaments and the Adult Ranking Requirements table are posted on the
USTA New England Web site.
www.ustanewengland.com > Adults > Tournaments > Standings/Rankings
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What determines my seeding in a tournament?
Tournament directors seed players using guidance from
USTA
New England. Tournaments are seeded primarily on a player’s placement on the most recent Standings list in the division of play. In addition, Seeding Chairs are consulted for many divisions of play. Seeding Chair may consider additional information such as results from other divisions, a player’s recent activity, injuries, and other relevant information.
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Who makes the draws for the tournaments?
Tournament directors make random draws using USTA’s tournament software TDM. Tournament results are posted to TennisLink by the tournament director using this software.
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Can I request to be separated from an opponent before the draw is made?
Yes – in limited cases. Please review Section I. B. 4 of the regulations.
www.ustanewengland.com > Adults > Tournaments > Regualtions
Please contact the tournament director with your request as soon as you learn of the potential conflict. A tournament director may make the draw at any time after the close of registration. Once the draw is made your request cannot be honored.
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RANKINGS AND STANDINGS
Is my question about a Rating or a Ranking?
Ratings are a measure of the skill level of an individual player. A player’s NTRP rating may be provided by USTA based on match scores and the opponents’ skill level, or a player may self-rate. Information on ratings and rating appeals is available at the
USTA New England League Tennis Web pages.
www.ustanewengland.com > Adults > Leagues > NTRP Ratings/Appeals
Rankings and Standings are ordered listings of players who have participated in tournament play in specific divisions (example: Men’s Open Singles or Women’s NTRP 3.5 Doubles).
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How can I correct an error in a Ranking or Standing list?
First, review the additional information that is included in the List Notes at the top left of any
USTA
New England ranking or standing list. Click on the red link to open the notes.
After you have reviewed the list notes you may have further questions. For example, a tournament result that is posted may not be included in ranking, or player eligibility information may be incorrect. Please contact Jim Purington:purington@newengland.usta.com
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What’s the difference between a Ranking and a Standing?
Rankings and standings are discussed in Section III of the Adult Tournament Rules and Regulations that are posted on the
USTA
New England web site.
www.ustanewengland.com > Adults > Tournaments > Standings/Rankings
Rankings are end-of-year lists that rank a player’s performance in a specific division for a calendar year. Tentative Ranking lists for adult divisions are published at the end of each calendar year. Final Ranking lists for the previous year are published online in January or February, and are also included in the
USTA
New England yearbook.
Standings refer to a player’s current position within his or her division based on tournaments that have been played over the past 52 weeks. Standings can and do fluctuate throughout the year depending on players’ match results. For example, if a "good" tournament is no longer included in a player’s record because it was played more than 52 weeks ago, the player’s placement on the standing list may drop. Standing lists are used to seed tournaments.
Lists published throughout the year on the
USTA
New England web site are "Standings Lists." The end-of year lists are published as "Tentative Ranking" and "Final Ranking" lists. You will find links to the lists on the Standings/Rankings web page. You may also search for them individually or by using an "*All List Types" search. Be sure to specify the correct year.
www.ustanewengland.com > Adults > Tournaments > Standings/Rankings
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When am I eligible for a Standing?
A player must have played two singles matches and have a match win to be listed as an "Eligible Player" on a singles standings list.
A doubles team must have played one doubles match and have a match win to be listed as an "Eligible Player" on a doubles standings list.
Players who have played tournaments and are not eligible are included in the "Ineligible Player" listing. Use the drop-down menu near the top of the page.
The eligibility criteria for Standings and Rankings are different. Some eligible players on a late-in-the-year Standings list have not played enough tournaments to be eligible on an end-of-year Ranking list.
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When am I eligible for an end-of-year Ranking?
The Adult Ranking Requirements Chart is posted on the
USTA
New England web site. Note that singles and doubles requirements are completely independent of each other.
www.ustanewengland.com > Adults > Tournaments > Standings/Rankings
Typically a player or doubles team must play two to five tournaments in a specific division and have a match win to be eligible for a ranking. Many divisions also have requirements for play at Sectional and Designated tournaments (see listing on the rankings/standings web page). Some divisions also have requirements to play in two or more states.
Players who meet the ranking criteria are listed as "Eligible Players." Other players are listed as "Ineligible Players."
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When are new Standings and Rankings posted on the Web site?
The first Standings of a year are usually published about the beginning of March. Standings are typically updated every two weeks after that. The standings include tournaments for which results have been electronically posted by the tournament director. A player may review tournament results posted (or not posted) by the tournament director by reviewing the Draws and Results menus on the tournament home page.
www.ustanewengland.com > Adults > Tournaments > Standings/Rankings
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Why are the results shown correctly on the tournament home page but not in the Standings?
The Draws and Results posted on the tournament home page reflect the most recent information that has been posted by the tournament director (note the date stamp)
The Standings include tournament information that is available at the time the lists are calculated. Tournament results that have been posted or corrected since the lists were calculated will be included the next time the standings are calculated and published.
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THE STAR RANKING SYSTEM
What ranking system does USTA New England use for adult players?
STAR (System for Tournament Administration and Ranking) is a computer ranking system that has been used by USTA since the 1970’s to rank players. It is considered an objective tool that eliminates the subjectivity of a ranking committee.
USTA
New England uses the STAR system to calculate adult standings and ranking lists.
(Players who play National tournaments are ranked nationally by a different system – the points-per-round (PPR) system.
USTA
New England junior players are also ranked using PPR.)
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How does the STAR system rank the players?
STAR is a mathematical algorithm that measures a player’s performance based on the performance of their opponents. STAR calculations are based only upon WHO you have played in a specific division of play, and which player won and lost. It does not matter where or in what round you met the opponent.
The STAR system calculates rank values for each player, and differences between ranking spots are not uniform. The rank values of the players ranked #4 and #5 could be 399 and 398, or they could be 399 and 200. The rank values of the players ranked #1 and #10 can differ by as 10 points or 100 points. In certain situations, what appear to be "big wins" or "big losses" may have little impact on the rank value of a player due to the small difference in the players’ rank values.
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Are close wins or losses considered?
"Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing." In this case Vince Lombardi is correct - STAR considers only wins and losses, and makes no adjustment for the score. Winning 7-6, 7-6 is the same as winning 6-0, 6- (or losing as is the case for the other player).
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How important is winning the tournament?
To be highly ranked it is important for a player to meet and beat other highly ranked players. The further a player advances in a tournament, the more likely the chances of meeting (and hopefully beating!) a highly ranked opponent. Beating one highly ranked player will likely boost your ranking more than beating several lower ranked players.
STAR calculates rank values based on the performances of your opponents. Every player has a rank value, which correlates directly with where they are ranked. Someone’s rank value is also a reflection of his or her "worth" in the STAR calculation. When you defeat an opponent, the opponent’s rank value is used to calculate a "win value," which is then factored into your own rank value.
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"How is it possible that Player B with a 7-3 record is ranked ahead of me with a 19-2 record?"
STAR places higher weight on play against quality opponents. Such wins are called "significant wins." Who you lose to is also important. Losses to players ranked below you are called "significant losses," and will hurt your ranking more than losing to players ranked above you.
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How did my standing change if I haven’t played?
Standings can change even though you and opponents just above or below you in the standings haven’t participated in an event. For example, your standing in October may change in November even if you don’t play because your (and everyone else’s) results from the previous October stop getting calculated. For adults, players may fulfill a tournament requirement and thus become eligible for rankings. For example if a Mens 4.5 player who’s played in three (3) tournaments wins another one over the weekend, it stands to reason that he will appear in the rankings for the first time, and possibly bump other players down at least one spot.
Players above you may suffer significant losses or players below you could achieve significant wins. Or, if a low-ranked player you defeated earlier has played very well since, his/her performance is to your benefit. Your win may become "significant" and boost your own ranking. Or your "good win" may have been more than 52 weeks ago and is no longer included in the calculation.
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If I beat someone who is ranked higher than me, will I move ahead of that person?
It depends on who else the two of you have played and how far apart your rank values are. If you’re ranked #30 and you beat someone ranked #2, your rank values are probably too far apart for the win to leapfrog you over that player. A more possible scenario is that you would move up significantly and the highly-ranked player you defeated would move down slightly. Remember that every situation is unique and individually calculated.
If you’re ranked #3 and you defeat a player ranked #2, ALL other things being equal …neither of you will have results dropped when the new month comes around, you’ve both played in more or less the same number of events, your other opponents aren’t playing events that would change their rankings, you haven’t lost to a much lower ranked opponent, etc… STAR objectively evaluates the relative strengths of the two players and may move you ahead of him or her in the standings.
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Are some tournaments more important in a STAR ranking calculation?
Yes. For adults, the Sectional Championships (weighting = 1.7) and Designated events (weighting = 1.3) are weighted higher than other tournaments (weighting = 1.0).
Highly ranked players play the Sectional and Designated events, and so should you! They are listed on a table on the
USTA New England Web site.
www.ustanewengland.com > Adults > Tournaments > Standings/Rankings
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What can I do go get the STAR ranking program to move me up?
The best way to improve your ranking is to consistently beat players ranked ahead of you, and not lose to players ranked below you. Play more tournaments!
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New to Tennis FAQs
What is the first step to becoming a tennis player?
New players should find a program that will help them develop their game during early stages of play. Contact USTA New England and we will put you in touch with further information, a teaching pro, a League Coordinator, a tournament director or someone else that can help you to get started right away!
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What equipment will I need?
Tennis is the most basic sport. All you need to play is a racquet, a pair of sneakers and a can of balls. And it doesn’t have to cost much. Racquets can be purchased for under $40, and balls shouldn’t run more than $3 a can.
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Do I need to know the rules of tennis before I start playing?
Basic rules are good to know if you are going to be competing in tournaments, leagues, or team play, however, it is not necessary for you to know every rule in the book while you’re getting started.
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Can I get a good workout playing tennis?
Yes! Tennis works a wide range of muscle groups including your arms, legs and abdominals! The average adult burns 500 calories playing one hour of tennis, as opposed to 350 on a stationary bike.
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Is there a cost to be involved in a tennis program?
Yes, but you will find the cost is much more reasonable than you might think. Prices vary per programs, lessons and participation frequency. However, for a very minimal cost, you will be part of a program where you will learn to play tennis and also meet new people.
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Can my spouse/friend and I learn together?
Absolutely. Tennis is one of the few sports where men and women can play together. And we recommend starting tennis with a friend so you can practice and work on your game together.
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Where can I play?
Park and Recreation Facilities: Local Park and Recreation departments maintain tennis courts and frequently offer tennis programs. Some cities have a staff of teaching professionals, providing clinics and private lessons, and some allow individuals and leagues to reserve sessions.
Private Clubs: Some clubs are member owned, some are privately owned. Initiation fees and monthly dues vary. While private clubs require membership to use their courts, some clubs allow non-members to take lessons, clinics and participate on league teams, usually for an added fee.
Community Tennis Associations: A USTA Community Tennis Association (CTA) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that works to coordinate and maintain tennis programs and services; guaranteeing that they are open and accessible to all. CTA’s will rent courts from schools, colleges and even private clubs for their league teams, tournaments, programs and social activities. CTA’s usually require membership at a relatively low cost.
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