General League Questions
Tiebreak Used for Leagues
Starting in the 2019 league season, USTA Colorado will utilize the standard tiebreak procedure for changing sides. Players change sides of the court every 6 points. The first person to serve, serves one point to the deuce side of the court (do not change sides after the 1st point). Every subsequent server will serve two points, starting from the ad-side of the court. Any tiebreak at the end of the 1st or 2nd set is still first to 7 by 2. The match tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set is still first to 10 by 2. At the end of any set, doubles partners may change their serving order. This includes at the beginning of a match tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set.
The standard tiebreak procedure for switching sides will apply to all local league matches, flight playoffs and District Championships. The Coman tiebreak procedure is still being used for Sectional and National Championships, so any teams that advance will use the Coman at those events.
The Standard tiebreak procedure must be used for all league matches (singles or doubles) for any tiebreak that is played (set tiebreak or match tiebreak).
How many players are on a team?
Depending on which league you participate in, you will need between 5 and 9 players in order to form a team. The minimum number of players is listed on the League Calendar for each league.
How can I find out about the format for each league?
Click on the specific league names on our League Menu page for a description of each league. You can also select a specific area of Colorado for more specific information. Once familiar with the league formats, review the League Calendar and the Day of Week Schedule for each league.
What is the difference between USTA, ITA and CTA Leagues?
Most leagues start with USTA, ITA or CTA in the name. In leagues with USTA in the name, winning teams have the opportunity to advance as far as the National Championships. Winning teams in leagues with ITA in the name can advance as far as Intermountain Section Championships. Teams with CTA in the name do not have post-season advancement. See each league page for more details.
Why is USTA Adult 18 & Over 6-7 weeks of matches now?
What if I don’t know anyone, but want to participate in leagues?
USTA Colorado encourages players who don’t have a team to use our find a team program.
Once I find a team, how do I register?
All adult leagues, with the exception of USTA Flex Leagues require a USTA membership, so the first step is to get a USTA membership.
If you do not have an NTRP rating, you will need to go through the self-rate process.
Your captain or facility will provide you with a team number that allows you to register for league play.
Once you have a USTA membership, a valid NTRP rating, and a team number, you are ready to register yourself for league play. Simply go to TennisLink and click on Register for a team in the upper right hand corner. The site will prompt you through the rest.
How long are NTRP ratings valid?
Year-end ratings (from the previous year) are good for 3 years. For those 60 & over, ratings are good for 2 years. Once a rating expires, the player will need to go through the self-rate process.
How do I know what NTRP level I should play?
How does USTA Colorado send out information?
In 2006, the transition was started to provide information online instead of through the mail. Information previously provided in captains’ packets is available on the Captain Information page and/or will be sent directly to your inbox via Adult League Alerts for anyone who has subscribed for Adult League Alerts. We no longer mail information to captains. It is highly recommended that all captains and players download all rules and regulations and keep with you throughout the season. Routinely check your email and ustacolorado.com for updates and other important information. If you need any assistance, please contact us.
How many matches are required to be eligible to advance?
Are alternate court surfaces, like clay, approved?
If a home team Captain plans to play any of their individual matches on alternative court surfaces (i.e. clay), this Captain must designate prior to the exchange of line-ups which position(s) will be played on alternative court surfaces. If the home team fails to designate the specific matches to be played on alternative surfaces before exchanging line-ups, the visiting team Captain has the ability to designate which matches will be played on the courts provided by the home facility.
When does league registration open?
See the League Calendar page for the dates that all leagues open for registration. Registration is done on TennisLink. In order to register for a team, you must have a USTA membership that is valid through the league season and a team number. The facility coordinator of the facility you wish to play out of provides team numbers. You need to have the minimum number of players registered by the registration deadline of each league to be included in the schedule. Players may only play on one team within each league, except for leagues that use a “combined NTRP” format (i.e. levels that are 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, etc.).
Questions about adding, moving and deleting players.
Players may be added to your team until the last match of the season. Players may be moved to another team during the same calendar year as long as they have not played a match. Teams may not be deleted once the league department has generated a schedule. All player moves and deletion requests must be submitted using our online form.
Score reporting questions.
Scores must be reported on online within 48 hours of the match being played. If a match is rained out, rescheduled or suspended then scores should be reported within 48 hours of completion.
How to report 3rd set scores.
The score for any third set must be entered as 1-0 in TennisLink. The system will not accept any other score for a third set.
Won’t this have an affect on my rating?
No. The score of any 3rd set match has a negligible effect on NTRP. Since the computer considers the match to be very close once it goes to a 3rd set, a score of 6-0 in the 3rd will not affect either player differently than a score of 7-6.
Why was this change made?
Prior to 2009, players who opted to play a tiebreak in lieu of the 3rd set had to enter a score of 7-6, even though they did not play that many games. The result for team standings, however, was not very accurate since the teams both lost more games (for standings purposes) than they actually played. In addition, this is the same score entry process that is used for all playoff events in Colorado, so the Adult Programs Committee voted to be more consistent with score entry.
There is no record of the actual 3rd set scores. How can I see that information?
Unfortunately, that is one downside to this new system. Any matches that are played out in their entirety and go to a 3rd set will not be able to record the actual 3rd set score.
What is the player deletion fee?
USTA Colorado will be assessing a fee for player deletions in all adult leagues to cover the costs associated with the administration of those deletions. The total refunded amount will be $15 on all deletions ($10 for Trio). Thus, facility coordinators and captains, please take note of this when registering players on your teams. Players can apply registrations from one league to another (except Trio) to avoid the deletion fee.
Why is there a deletion fee?
Due to the costs and time incurred to delete and refund a player.
When will I get my refund?
All refunds are processed at the conclusion of each league; therefore, please allow approximately 2 weeks after the conclusion of Districts for each league for all refund checks to arrive in the mail.