2025 USTA Southern Tri-Level Regulations

Updated: December 10, 2024

Play is governed by:

  • The Rules of Tennis
  • The Code (from the 2025 Friend at Court)
  • USTA League National and/or Southern Regulations
  • The USTA Southern Tri-Level Regulations listed below

Each Southern state may supplement these regulations, but no local or state rule may conflict with these regulations. No waivers are allowed at any level (local/state/sectional), and all violations are subject to league grievance procedures.

1. USTA Membership

All participants must be current USTA members and register via TennisLink.

2. Team Composition

  • A team must have at least 6 players who can combine to form valid pairings for 3 doubles lines per team match.

3. Match Format & Scoring

  • Each team match consists of 3 doubles lines.
  • Recommended format:
    • Best of 3 tiebreak sets
    • Match tiebreak in lieu of third set
  • Local leagues may use other USTA-approved formats compatible with the NTRP system.

4. Levels Offered

Tri-Level 18 & Over:

  • 5.0 /4.0
  • 4.5 / 3.5
  • 4.0 / 3.0
  • 3.5 / 2.5

Tri-Level 40 & Over:

  • 4.5 / 3.5
  • 4.0 / 3.0

Tri-Level 55 & Over:

  • 4.0 / 3.0

5. NTRP Rating & Eligibility

  • Players may register with:
    • Computer (C)
    • Self (S)
    • Mixed-exclusive (M)
    • Tournament-exclusive (T)
    • Appealed (A)
    • Dynamic (D) ratings
  • Players without a rating must self-rate via TennisLink following NTRP guidelines.
  • Misrepresentation may lead to grievances and suspension.
  • Tri-Level results do not cause dynamic promotion, but they do factor into year-end ratings.
  • Players may be promoted mid-year from Adult or Mixed League play.

6. Lineup Rules & Defaults

  • Players may play up one level (0.5 NTRP) within a match.
    • Example: In 4.0/3.0 format, a 3.0 can play in the 3.5 or 3.0 line, not 4.0.
  • Teams may not default higher lines unless no eligible players are available for that line.
    • Example: If only 3.5 and 3.0 players are available, line 4.0 can be defaulted.
  • If a team defaults an entire match:
    • The state, not the local league, decides how standings are handled.
    • In absence of a specific state rule, USTA League Regulation 2.03L applies.

7. Appealed Ratings

  • Appeals submitted before the local league registration deadline allow 7 days for player registration post-approval.

Appeal Outcomes:

  • Appealed down:
    • Notify coordinator, update TennisLink; past matches stand
  • Appealed up:
    • Must mmediately play at new rating; past matches still count

8. State Championship Eligibility

    • States decide:
      • Minimum match requirements for advancement
      • If players may advance on multiple teams in same age group (must be different NTRP levels)

    9. Sectional Championship Wildcards

      • If a winning team from state competition can’t compete, the second-place team may be selected.
      • Wildcards may be granted to fill draws.
      • If fewer than 4 teams are entered in a division 21 days before event, that division may be canceled unless otherwise authorized.

      10. State Championship Deadlines

        • All state championships must conclude by September 22, 2025.
        • States must report advancing teams to USTA Southern by that date.

        11. Sectional Championship Eligibility

          • A player must participate in at least one local or state match (including received defaults).
          • Players may advance on more than one team in the same age group only at different levels.
          • No schedule accommodations are made for players on multiple teams.
          • Teams are expected to provide full lineups even with player overlap.