Indianapolis Racquet Club 

Age Eligibility

Guidelines

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How to Enter a Sanctioned Tournament
(reprinted from Central Indiana Tennis Association Yearbook, 2005)
  1. Common abbreviations used on tournament schedules:
    2.        
    M Men W Women
    B Boys G Girls
    s Singles d Doubles
    Mxd Mixed Doubles NET Non-Elimination Tournament
    FIC Feed In Consolation FMC First Match Consolation
    FS Father/Son MD Mother/Daughter
           
  2. Be careful to enter only those events for which you are eligible.  Matches you play in an incorrect age division will not count.  Age groups in adult mean that anyone who turns that age during that year or is older may enter.  Age groups in junior mean that anyone turning that age during that year or is younger is eligible.  Examples for 2005:
    M35 any man turning 35 (born in or before 1970) or older in 2005 may enter
    G14 any girl turning 14 (born in or after 1991) or younger in 2005 may enter (some players born in 1990 are eligible to play in 2005--see Age Eligibility.
  3. After selecting a tournament to enter, promptly call or write the tournament director listed and request an entry blank OR enter on-line via Tennis Link.  If you write, enclose a self-addressed envelope to ensure proper delivery.  Call the tournament director if you do not receive your entry blank within a reasonable length of time.
  4. Once you receive an entry blank, fill it in completely and return it AT ONCE with the required entry fee.
  5. You must have a USTA membership to play in a sanctioned tournament.  If you do not have a membership write "will apply" on the entry blank and simply apply for one at the tournament.  You may also call the USTA's Membership Services Line (800-990-USTA) and apply for a membership over the telephone or apply on-line at www.usta.com.  Via phone or web, you will be issued a USTA number instantaneously.
  6. If the entry blank requests you to call for the time of your first match, do so at the specified time and get the name of the person with whom you speak.  DO NOT request the information other than the time of your first match and your opponent.  There is no time on the phone to explain the draw and the seedings.  If someone calls to change the time of a match, get his/her name and call again to verify the change with the tournament director.
  7. Report at least 15 minutes early for your first match.  It is your responsibility to ascertain when and where you are to report and how to get there.  If you are late for any reason, no matter how unavoidable, expect to be defaulted.  Accept it graciously, regardless of how disappointed you are.

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Age Eligibility Requirements
 (reprinted from Central Indiana Tennis Association Yearbook, 2005)

For the ranking year January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.

Juniors
A player is eligible to play: 18 and under if born on or after January 1, 1987.
16 and under if born on or after January 1, 1989.
14 and under if born on or after January 1, 1991.
12 and under if born on or after January 1, 1993.
10 and under if born on or after January 1, 1995.
However, a player may compete in any junior age division (18, 16, 14, 12, 10) if the player is an amateur who has not exceeded the maximum age by the last day of the month during which the tournament was scheduled to start.  For example, a player born in May, 1990 is eligible to play in the 14- and- under division through April 30, 2005.  On May 1, 2005 that same player becomes ineligible for the 14- and- under age division since he/she became age 15 in May, 2005.

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Adults
A player is eligible to play: 35 if born on or before December 31, 1970.
45 if born on or before December 31, 1960.
55 if born on or before December 31, 1950.
65 if born on or before December 31, 1940.
All adult events are open to players who have reached or will reach the minimum age limit of the division on or before the last day of the ranking year.  For example, a player may be 34 until December 31, 2005, but may play in the 35s as of January 1, 2005.

 

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Guidelines for a Sanctioned Tournament
(reprinted from Central Indiana Tennis Association Yearbook, 2004)

As the number of sanctioned tournaments increases and the number of players entering these tournaments also increases, it is important to understand how tournament committees conduct sanctioned tournaments.  USTA regulations govern tournament officials and tournament organizers in conducting sanctioned tournaments.  The USTA Friend at Court is the rules and regulation manual for USTA events. Friend at Court can be purchased by calling the CITA office.  Please understand that USTA rules cannot be ignored or changed, except by policy or rule change presented to the USTA Board for a vote.  USTA guidelines or regulations can be broadened or narrowed by each section or district as long as the intent of the regulation is not compromised.                               Top

  1. The sanction form shall state the size of the draw.  This limit will be strictly observed so that all events may be completed in the allotted time.

  2. Players are permitted to enter two events, unless the entry form states otherwise.

  3. The name of the tournament director and referee will be posted.

  4. The type of scoring system, tie-break, number of sets will be determined before the first round.  Alternative scoring formats must be announced before the start of tournament play.  However, the referee may switch the scoring format in any round without prior notice when inclement weather or other factors cause the tournament to fall behind its published schedule.

  5. All sanctioned draws must be open to the public, therefore the time and place must be announced prior to the draw.  Tournament Committees must follow the USTA draw rules for a fair and random draw.  This USTA rule should never be violated.

  6. Draw sheets will be posted before the first round and throughout the event.

  7. The referee or deputy referee will be present at the tournament site during play.

  8. The USTA Point Penalty system will be in effect at all tournaments.

  9. The referee will resolve all legitimate protests.                        Top

  10. CITA scheduling guidelines state that 10- & 12-year-old players shall not play more than 3 matches per day consisting of: 2s & 1d; or 1s & 2d; or 3d.  Juniors in the 14-, 16-, & 18-year-old events shall not play more than 2 matches per day per event.  If a tie-break is played in lieu of a third set, then one more match, either  a singles or a doubles, may be played.

  11. All players must be USTA members.  The tournament director must enforce this rule.

  12. Rest periods must be observed by tournament officials.  For juniors, the minimum of one hour shall be granted between singles matches or between a singles and a doubles match.  A minimum of 30 minutes shall be granted between doubles matches. (CITA)  For adults, please refer to USTA Friend of Court. 

  13. Match scheduling regulations must be observed by tournament officials.  In the CITA district, juniors in the 10's, 12's, and 14's cannot start or resume a match after 9 p.m.  Juniors in the 16's and 18's cannot start or resume a match after 10 p.m.  It is recommended that tournaments not start the junior 10's past 8 p.m. if at all possible.

  14. 12-hour regulation:  In the CITA district, there must be 12 hours between the end of an evening match and the beginning of the next day's match for the 10- and 12-year-old juniors.  For the 14-, 16-, and 18-year-old juniors, the minimum can be reduced to 10 hours only if scheduling problems occur during the tournament and the tournament director has no other recourse in order to finish the tournament. 

  15. Completed draw sheets must be received by the CITA office within seven days following the completion of the tournament.

  16. CITA Standing Order 3 supercedes all other tournament regulations.

The USTA sanctioning process helps assure uniformity of rules of play, permits the ranking of players on a basis of accepted standard, and provides the tennis competition of high caliber and ethical standards.  To assure that consistency and high standards are maintained, it is the responsibility of the tournament committee to see that the rules and regulations set forth by USTA and CITA are observed and followed.

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