Navigating USTA Leagues can be tricky, but we are here to make it easier for you.  We’ve compiled a few frequently asked questions and given you the answers.

Why do I only have six matches?

The number of matches a team has for their season is entirely dependent on the number of teams in a flight, number of weeks in the season and court availability.  USTA matches for any advancing season (all but Fall Singles for Central USTA leagues) are required to have a complete round robin.  Six matches comes into play when there are 7 teams in a flight.  A complete round robin for a 7 team flight takes 7 weeks and most seasons do not have 14 weeks, nor can our facilities handle that many matches within out deadlines to do two complete round robins.  Our preference is 8 to 10 matches per team, however, six matches is the minimum.

We are now doing a complete round robin plus two matches so the top two teams need to playoff for the flight winner and will become the league champion if no other flights or feed into the playoffs if there is other flight(s).

Can I play a league match in the TOC covered courts?

If you decide to move your matches indoors and pay the court fees for indoor courts, those courts have specific time rentals.  Be sure to move your match along so you can complete it during that time period.  Should the court rental time expire, be sure to keep track of exactly where the match is (rotation of servers, game and set scores, etc) and set a time to complete the match either later at the indoor courts or secure an outdoor court.  It still has to be completed within the make up match time frame. Please also keep in mind, that when Cary Tennis Park closes and you have not finished your match, it will have to be completed at a later date no matter where you are in your match.
Why do we have end of season playoffs?

Playoffs are set up for the purpose of determining league winners.   Playoffs will only be played if there is more than one flight in any age/level. Once the league winner is determined, if applicable, they are offered the bid to go to any state championships.
If the first place team is unable to go to the state championships, does another team get offered the bid?

In most cases, yes, the second place team will get offered the bid. If they are unable to accept, if there were multiple flights, the second place teams in the flights, if applicable, might be offered a spot but a winning record is required. It is very rare and only with the state coordinator’s approval that a third place team be considered for playoffs or state championships.
How do I print a score card, before my match?

Sign into Tennislink and click on the team that you need to print the score card. Scroll down to the date of the match that you are playing and hover over the date. One of the “action” items listed is “Print a Blank Score Card”. Click on that and it will take you to a page to print it.
What are the rules and time frames for arranging make up matches?

Make up matches need to be completed within four weeks of the original match date regardless of a scheduled make up getting rained out.  While four weeks is plenty of time, it is imperative that captains talk early and get the matches scheduled early, therefore the rule states that the captains need to be in communication within two business days of the originally scheduled match and the courts need to be scheduled within the first 10 days.  After those 10 days have passed and the matches are not scheduled, the USTA-LLC must be contacted for help in resolving the issue.

Make up matches need to be completed 48 hours before the first scheduled playoff match for a flight if there are less than four weeks in the season when your original match was rained out.

Note that USTA-NC’s rule for making up matches for State Champions is 2 weeks.

What is the best way to schedule a make up match?

Early communication is key and required.  Captains can work together on scheduling the courts or can trade lineups (remember that we have an automated line up exchange form) and have the individual courts work out a convenient time.   We suggest that your players get with their partner for dates that they are available in the first two weeks of the make up period and present these dates to their opponents within the first couple of days after the original match.

Keep in mind that players can and should be subbed out if availability in scheduling that court becomes an issue.  Once a lineup is traded, any player can be subbed out, however, players in the traded lineup cannot be moved to another line within that lineup.

Is there a heat/cold rule for USTA matches?

Yes, there is! The rule can be found in our Rules and Regulations, but here it is:

Teams have the option to reschedule if the “feels like” temperature (which includes wind chill or heat index) is forecast to be 35 degrees or less, or 100 degrees or more, at match start time. Both captains should check the hourly forecast, using the location of your match, on Accuweather.com, or you may use the Accuweather app on your phone. This decision cannot be made until 2 hours before the match, and no other weather resources can be used to obtain the forecast. If captains still want to consider playing any of the courts in the cold/heat, both must be in agreement. When matches are rescheduled, the new date and time confirmed will be treated as the new match date.
Note: Only one captain needs to invoke this rule. Please play as many courts that are willing.