If you're new to the USTA tournament scene, or just wanting additional info about when to transition to a new level, consider this your go-to guide.
USTA tournaments have 7 different levels within each age group. Once into "yellow ball," the age groups are u18, u16, u14, and u12. Players are able to play up an age group, but not down. For example, a 13 year old could play u16 or u18 tournaments but not u12. The specific levels of tournaments range from L1 at the highest level to L7 at the lowest. Let's get into more detail.
L7 tournaments:
Consider L7 events as entry-level tournaments. There is no ranking requirement for entry into the event, though they could cap entries at a certain number of participants. L7 events will typically be one or two day events, and could have abbreviated formats to ensure a certain number of matches. L7 tournaments are great for entry-level players who are just starting to compete in USTA tournaments. Likewise, L7s would be a great opportunity for players to play up an age group (or two).
Ranking points: up to 56 points for champion
L6 tournaments:
L6 events will typically be local-level tournaments. In most cases, these will be a slight step up from L7s, but not anything drastic.
Ranking points: up to 95 points for champion
L5 tournaments:
The next level up is L5 events. L5 tournaments are for players looking to continue climbing the rankings. The results in L5 tournaments are crucial for a player's access to higher to the next level of tournaments. Typically there will be ranking cutoffs for L5 and better levels of events, so the draw size and level of play becomes more competitive for L5s.
Additionally, L5 events are where you will typically start to see the "open" or "closed" designation. "Open" events are accessible to any player in any section: a player from the Florida could enter a California Open L5 event and receive entry if he/she has a high enough ranking. Open events will typically be more difficult to qualify for, as the potential entry list is larger.
"Closed" events, on the other hand are only accessible to players from the host section. For example, a player from Florida could not enter a California Closed L5. Entry into Closed L5s is typically a little easier than Open events due to a smaller pool of participants.
Ranking points: 300 points for champion
L4 tournaments:
Similar to L6 events, L4 events are like a stepping stone to national-level events. L4 tournaments will provide more points and value than L5s, and also be slightly more difficult to gain entry.
Ranking points: 540 points for champion
L3 tournaments:
The beginning of national-level tournaments and transitioning out of sectional-level tournaments comes at the L3 level. Much like the previous levels, entry into L3 tournaments becomes more challenging with a larger applicant pool.
Ranking points: 900 points for champion
L2 tournaments:
Entry into L2 events is difficult, and only a small percentage of players will earn that distinction. The total number of L2 events is low, and the pool of applicants is high, meaning that a strong ranking is needed for consideration into L2s. Typically, within each age group, there will be 19-20 L2 events in the US per year. With so few events, the points are high, but it will typically mean traveling outside of the section in order to play these events.
Ranking points: 1650 points for champion
L1 tournaments:
Level 1, National Championship events. The chance to earn a gold ball. This is the highest level of USTA tournaments. There are very few L1 events per year, and as a result, entry into these tournaments is extremely difficult. There are typically fewer than ten L1 tournaments in each age group per year. The stakes are high, as a champion earns 3000 USTA points, and continues on the path of hoping to earn a career on the pro tour.
Ranking points: 3000 points for champion
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