2025 Southern Combo Doubles Georgia State Regulations
COMBO DOUBLES STATE LEAGUE REGULATIONS
All USTA League Tennis Regulations in 1.00 GENERAL and 3.00 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES and the following regulations in this section shall apply to the Southern Combo Doubles League Program.
2.11 LOCAL COMPETITION
2.11A Levels of Play in Georgia. Levels of Combo 18 & Over local league play are the combined NTRP levels of 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5. Levels of Combo 40 & Over local league play are the combined NTRP levels of 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5. Levels of Combo 55 & Over local league play are the combined NTRP levels of 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5.
To play in the:
- 5.5 level your rating cannot exceed 3.0
- 6.5 level your rating cannot exceed 3.5
- 7.5 level your rating cannot exceed 4.0
- 8.5 level your rating cannot exceed 5.0
- 9.5 level your rating cannot exceed 5.5
- 10.5 level your rating cannot exceed 6.0
2.11A(1) Combined Ratings.
Using combined NTRP levels, the combined NTRP level of the doubles team cannot exceed the combined NTRP rating level in which the players are competing.
2.11A(2) Age.
For the Combo 18 & Over local league, players must be 18 years of age prior to registering in the USTA League program.
For the Combo 40 & Over or 55 & Over local leagues, each player shall have reached 40 or 55 years of age prior to or during the calendar year in which such player plays in their first local league match.
2.11A(3) Local Season.
Local play for 18 & Over and 40 & over, which qualifies local winners for the 2025 State Championships, will not begin play prior to the completion of the 2024 State Championships, nor conclude after September 29, 2025. The league must also have at least two teams registered with the minimum number of players at least 30 days prior to this date. Any teams wanting to compete in the 55 & Over State Championships should have at least 6 players registered in TennisLink by August 20th, 2025.
2.11A(4) Entry.
A player without a computer rating (“C”) or mixed-exclusive rating (“M”) must self-rate to enter the program. A player with a current NTRP computer or mixed rating must use that rating to enter the program.
2.11A(4)(a) Any player disqualified from the Adult Division may not play at the disqualified NTRP level of play in the Southern Combo Doubles division (and any lower level of play) for the remainder of the league year and for up to three years unless a new NTRP computer rating is generated. A disqualified player becomes a benchmark. In combined leagues, the disqualified player must play with a partner that does not surpass the level entered.
2.11A(4)(b) A player may not be dynamically promoted based on match results from Combo Doubles and match results are not calculated in year-end NTRP computer ratings.
2.11A(4)(c) Players who submit an appeal to their self-rating through the Tennis Link system before their local league deadline for registering players will be permitted to register up to seven days after the notification of final self-rating.
2.11A(4)(d) If a player’s rating is appealed down during or after the Combo local season, the player should notify applicable Local League Coordinator to make update on TennisLink roster. Previous matches by the player would stand.
2.11A(4)(e) If a player’s rating is appealed up during or after the Combo local season, the player should notify applicable Local League Coordinator to make update on TennisLink roster. Adjusted rating will be used for duration of Combo Doubles championship year. Previous matches by the player would stand.
2.11A(5) Number of Teams.
A local league shall consist of a minimum of two teams per level in a specified registered CTA that applies local league regulations. A local league may choose to divide any or all NTRP levels into flights. Where flights are used, a playoff structure may be established to determine a champion for each NTRP level.
2.11A(6) Team.
A team shall consist of a minimum of six players eligible to compete at a specific level of competition. The Local League may limit the number of players that appear on a team roster and the number of players that are at a specific NTRP level.
2.11B Men and Women.
Men’s and Women’s leagues shall be separate at each approved level of competition. The local league shall determine which approved levels shall be available for men and women in local league competition.
2.11C Competition Format
2.11C(1) Full Round Robin.
Each NTRP level within a local league may play at least one full round robin competition wherein every team plays every other team. When any NTRP level consists of only two teams, each team is required to play a minimum of three team matches, which is a triple round robin. When any NTRP level consists of only three teams, each team is required to play a minimum of four team matches, which is a double full round robin. Any NTRP level may be divided into flights and each team shall play every other team in its flight. The flight winners may enter a playoff structure to establish a local league champion for that NTRP level.
• 1.3.1(a) additional matches, selected randomly, within a flight.
• 1.3.1(b) additional cross-flight matches in which each team in one flight plays an equal number of matches in the other flight, selected randomly if not a full round robin.
• 1.3.1(c) the top teams in a flight to play an additional round robin to determine advancement, and the teams without a mathematical chance to advance may play an additional round robin.
2.11C(2) Partial Round Robin.
Each NTRP level within a local league may play a partial round robin competition wherein every team plays the same number of matches against randomly selected opponents. A minimum of the top two teams shall progress to a single elimination playoff to establish a local league champion for that NTRP level.
2.11C(3) Team Match.
Each team match in a local league shall consist of such number of individual matches of singles, doubles, or any combination thereof as determined by the local league. Each team must have the minimum number of players available to play the majority of individual matches. If one team does not have the minimum number of players, the opposing team will be credited with a total team default and will win each individual match 6-0 6-0. If neither team has the required minimum number of players, the match shall be scored as a double team default, and neither team will receive credit for a win. In the case of a team default or double team default any individual matches actually played will count only for NTRP ratings and eligibility for advancement and cannot count for determining standings.
If both teams have the minimum number of players available to play, but the combination of individual defaults by the two teams would result in the majority of matches not being played, the teams must follow the procedure(s) established by the Sectional Association, to ensure that a majority of individual matches are played. The first course of action would be for both captains to agree on what individual matches, based on the number of players present, or to be present, can be played to constitute a valid team match. Once that is determined, both captains will re-exchange scorecards.
If both captains cannot come to an agreement on what lines will be played to constitute a valid team match, based on the number of players present, or to be present, then the following individual matches will be assigned in sequential order to be played:
2.11C(4) Match Scoring and Formats.
Each Local League may determine the method of scoring for Local league competition.
2.11C(5) Individual Match.
An individual match is any Combo Doubles match played as part of a team match.
2.11C(6) Team Lineups.
An individual match is started when the first ball is put in play. After the start of an individual match, if injury to, illness of, or disqualification of a player occurs, the opponents will be awarded a default for that individual match only.
2.11C(6)(a) In the event of illness, injury, disqualification, or no-show of a player prior to the start of an individual match (once the lineup has been exchanged), a team may substitute a player in the affected position within the 15-minute default time, using a player not already listed on the lineup. If no such substitution can be made, the affected position only will be forfeited in local leagues.
2.11C(6)(b) In the event that a team match must be re-scheduled and starting times are staggered, where opponents are not available and ready to play, forfeits will be awarded in the affected position only.
2.11C(6)(c) Local League(s) will decide how to regulate rescheduling of team matches due to rain or inclement weather.
2.11C(6)(d) Two players will play together in the higher position when both of their partners do not show in order to avoid two defaults.
2.11C(6)(e) If a team has an invalid match (the majority of the individual matches must actually be played to constitute a valid team match) the team may (state Adult League Committee’s decision) be removed from competition and the standings.
2.11C(7) Player Participation.
2.11C(7)(a) A player may play on one team at an NTRP level in the same local league (CTA) during the same season. In local leagues (CTA’s) where NTRP levels are divided into flights, players may not play in more than one flight.
2.11C(7)(b) A local league (CTA) may authorize participation in more than one NTRP level in the same local league (CTA) during the same season.
2.11C(7)(c) A player may play on more than one team within an NTRP level in the same season provided it is in separate local leagues (CTA’s).
2.11C(7)(d) Players may play on both, 18 & Over and 40 & Over combo teams, however if both the 18 & Over and 40 & Over teams advance to the State Championship, the player must qualify in both league types.
2.11C(7)(e) Players who qualify for the Combo 18 & Over/40 & Over Georgia State Championships may advance on 2 (two) 18 & Over teams and 2 (two) 40 & Over teams, but at different levels.
2.11C(7)(f) An individual may play in one doubles match within each team match.
2.11D Coaching.
Coaching will be permitted during the rest period ONLY if the scoring method is the best of three tiebreak sets and there is a 10-minute rest period between the second and third sets.
2.12 PROGRESSION.
2.12A Local League.
2.12A(1) Local League Competition.
Each team that wins a specific level of local league (CTA) competition shall be entitled to advance to the State Championship.
2.12A(1)(a) Two-Team Leagues.
If a local league holds two seasons at a specific level, they must have a minimum of three teams participating in one of the two seasons at that level to receive two berths to the State Championships. Otherwise, two team leagues in both seasons will require a flight playoff between both flight winners to determine the local league winner.
2.12A(1)(b) Area Leagues.
The State may authorize local league play for area teams (one team at any given level with no local opponents during the entire Championship Year) from which all participating teams may progress to the State Championships. An Area team MUST come from the season prior to the State Championship and the players MUST use their Year-End Rating.
2.12A(1)(c) Area Teams.
No player may participate on an Area Team if they have participated on any team at that level, in that league type, in another local league in Georgia during that championship year. All Area Teams participating in an Area League MUST compete against each other.
2.12A(1)(d) Wildcards.
The State may draw wildcards for the State Championships at any given level. The local league must publish its wildcard procedures in the event of the repeat winners, or if the league receives a wildcard.
2.12A(2) Local League Champions.
At the conclusion of the local league competition and/or local playoff, the Local League Coordinator shall notify the State League Coordinator of teams advancing to the state championships based on state-set criteria.
2.12B State Championships.
Each State association shall determine and announce a method or progression suitable for its registered CTA for advancement of its local league teams to State League Championships. The winning team at each level at the State Championship shall be eligible to compete in the League Sectional Championships.
a. One berth per season for a maximum of 9 teams in any given level.
b. Two berths per season for a maximum of 18 teams in any given level.
c. Over 18 teams, up to each additional 9 teams, an additional berth is given.
d. In local league(s) conducting separate playing schedules for Women’s day/night or weekday/business leagues, the local league will determine which one team shall progress to the State Championships, except as noted in 2.12B(e).
e. If the number of teams in both the women’s day/night and weekday/business leagues should reach a minimum of five (5) teams at any given level, the local league may request additional representation at the State Championships.
2.12C Rating Used for Championship Play.
Players must play with the rating on the TennisLink roster through the Sectional Championships unless the player appealed their rating (up or down) during or after the local league season and/or the player is dynamically promoted during any championship year.
2.13 USTA GEORGIA COMBO DOUBLES LEAGUE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
2.13A Eligibility
2.13A(1) The State has the authority to determine the progression of teams to its Championship competition by (1) determining a champion of the preceding level of competition by NTRP category or (2) the use of the Championship Wildcard Procedures. Champions of the preceding level of competition must be included in the progression.
2.13A(2) An individual player may play in only one doubles match within each team match.
2.13A(3) In the Combo 18 & Over Age Group and the Combo 40 & Over Age Group, no individual is eligible to progress to the State Championship unless he/she has played on that same team in at least one match and no team is eligible to progress unless they have played at least three team matches during the Local League season. A defaulted match shall count as a match played for the player(s) who received the default. A retired match shall count for all players involved. The Combo 55 & Over League State Championship will be an invitational; therefore all teams will receive a berth.
2.13A(4) A minimum of six members who were on the final roster of their local league team at the conclusion of local league play must be available and eligible to compete at the State Championships.
2.13B Official League Championship Entry.
Players will submit their individual registration forms online. The deadline to have a minimum of 6 players registered for each team will be published on the State League Championships website. Player registration will remain open until the captain’s check-in meeting, on the Thursday before the tournament starts.
2.13C Scoring.
At the USTA Georgia State Championships, all matches will be the best of two sets and the set tiebreak shall be used at 6-all in each set. In lieu of a third set, a match tiebreak shall be played. There will be a two-minute set break at the end of each set with no coaching. The match tiebreak shall be scored as 1 set and 1 game for tiebreak procedures in the event of a tie. All tiebreaks will be played using the Coman Tiebreak Procedure.
2.13D Competition Format.
State Championship play shall consist of round robins (full or partial) or single elimination matches against randomly selected opponents. The use of multiple round robins, or the use of un-flighted matches, will require a playoff structure to establish a champion. Please refer to championship procedures for full details.
2.13E Team Match & Scoring.
A team match will consist of three individual men’s or women’s doubles matches per team match. The team winning the majority of individual matches will be awarded one team point. For each team match, a majority of the individual matches must actually be played by the two teams to constitute a valid team match. The Championship Committee has the authority to determine the actions to take when the combination of individual match defaults given by the two teams in the team match would result in a situation where the majority of the individual matches would not be played (2.11C(3) will be a point of reference).
2.13F Substitutions.
Please refer to the USTA Georgia Championship Procedures for substitution procedures.
2.13G Coaching.
No coaching is allowed during a championship match.
2.13H Procedures in the Event of a Tie.
Please refer to the USTA Georgia Championship Procedures for tiebreak procedures.
2.13I Individual Defaults.
Any team defaulting a court for any reason will be fined $100 per court defaulted (if paying by credit card there is an additional $4 processing fee). The fine must be paid in the tournament room prior to the team’s next match. If it’s the team’s last match of the tournament, they must pay prior to leaving. If a team does not pay the fine, a grievance will be filed against all members listed on the team information sheet, which could result in suspension from any USTA League play until the fine is paid. Any matches played during that time will be reverted to losses. The reason for this regulation is it’s your team’s responsibility to have players on every court at each match during a state championship. When a team defaults a line, it not only can affect the outcome of the tournament, but more importantly, it affects those players who showed up ready to play, only to find their opponents did not show.
2.13J Scoring of Individual Defaults.
For the purpose of determining standings, individual defaults will be scored as a 6-0, 6-0 win for the doubles team receiving the default and a 0-6, 0-6 loss for the doubles team that defaulted the match. In the event of a default by both doubles teams, both sides will be given a 0-6, 0-6 loss and neither receives credit for a win. If a double default results in a tie, the tiebreak procedure shall be the same as in 2.13H in order to determine a winner of that team match.
2.13K Team Defaults.
Each team must have at least four eligible players available for play in each team match with the correct rating combination or the entire match must be defaulted. The maximum number of positions that may be defaulted without defaulting the entire match is one. When a default is necessary, the default should be determined by the team captain and shall be at the number 3 position.
2.13L Scoring of Team Defaults.
If a team defaults an entire team match (same as withdrawing from the tournament) for any reason during round robin play, that team is ineligible to continue play at that championship. All matches of the defaulting team already played shall be null and void when determining standings but will be used for advancement purposes. If all teams with a mathematical chance to advance have already played the defaulting team in good faith, those matches shall stand as played when determining standings.
2.13L(1) Teams that withdraw once the draw is published will forfeit their deposit, entry fee and a grievance may be filed by the tournament director to the appropriate committee.
2.13M Retirement.
A retirement occurs when an individual match has started and a player (doubles team) is unable to continue due to injury, loss of condition, emergency or refusal to play.
2.13N Scoring of Retirements.
In case of a retirement, for the purpose of determining standings, the non-retiring player (doubles team) shall be credited with such number of additional games as would have been won if the match was completed and the non-retiring player (doubles team) won every subsequent game.
2.13O Date and Location.
The 2025 Southern Combo USTA Georgia State Championships dates are published on the USTA League State Championships website.
2.14. STATE CHAMPION MOVE UP/SPLIT UP
2.14A. Move Up/Split Up.
2.14A(1) Teams with self-rated players in the 18 & Over, 40 & Over, and 55 & Over Combo age divisions that advanced to, or qualified for, the 2024 Combo Sectional Championship may play together as a team, in whole or in part, in any Age Group within the Combo Division in 2025 if they move up one NTRP team level or if the individuals raise their self-ratings.
2.14A(2) No more than two players who were on a Combo roster that advanced to or qualified for the 2022 Combo Sectional Championship and are still self-rated may be on a 2025 Combo team together at the same self-rating as they were in the previous Championship year.
2.14A(3) Move up/split up requirements only apply to players who participated in one (1) or more matches (excluding all defaults) for that team during the Championship year.