2025 USTA Georgia Tri-Level League Regulations

Play is governed by:

The Rules of Tennis
The Code (from the 2025 Friend at Court)
USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations
The following Georgia Tri-Level Regulations

USTA Georgia will follow USTA National and Southern Regulations on matters not addressed in these Tri-Level rules.

LOCAL COMPETITION

I. Membership Requirements

All players must be current USTA members for the entire season.
Age Requirements:
- 18 & Over: Must be 18 before registration.
- 40 & Over, 55 & Over: Must reach that age within the calendar year of first match.

II. Team Requirements

Minimum 3 matches required for each team.
Each team must play equal round robins in the flight.
Teams must register on TennisLink by the local league deadline.
Minimum 6 players of the same gender per team.

III. NTRP Ratings & Divisions

Players cannot exceed the highest NTRP rating of their division, but may play up one level.
Example: A 3.5 player can play in the 4.0 spot, but a 3.0 player cannot play in the 2.5 spot.

Available Divisions:

18 & Over:
- 3.5 / 3.0 / 2.5
- 4.0 / 3.5 / 3.0
- 4.5 / 4.0 / 3.5
- 5.0 / 4.5 / 4.0
40 & Over:
- 4.0 / 3.5 / 3.0
- 4.5 / 4.0 / 3.5
55 & Over:
- 4.0 / 3.5 / 3.0
- 4.5 / 4.0 / 3.5

IV. Match Validity & Defaults

A majority of individual matches must be played to constitute a valid team match.
If both teams default different lines, lowest defaulted line must play up.
A team with fewer than 4 players defaults the team match.
Local leagues determine penalties for full team defaults and non-lowest line defaults.

V. Scheduling & Overlap

Players may play on multiple teams in different divisions.
No scheduling concessions will be made for players on multiple teams.

VI. Ratings & Promotion

Tri-Level results affect year-end ratings but do not trigger dynamic promotion.
Adult League play may cause dynamic promotion mid-year.

PROGRESSION TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

I. Team Qualification

For two-team leagues across two seasons, at least one season must have 3+ teams to earn 2 berths.
Otherwise, flight winners must compete in a playoff.

II. Eligibility for Advancement

18 & Over: Players must have played 1 match on the advancing team.
Team must have played 3 team matches during the season.
Defaults and retirements count for eligibility.
40 & Over / 55 & Over: Same rules apply.
- Teams from areas with no local competition may advance directly with 2024 year-end ratings.

III. Appealed Ratings

If appeal is approved before registration deadline, players may register up to 7 days after appeal result.
If appealed down: Player notifies coordinator; matches stand.
If appealed up: Player must immediately compete at new level; matches stand.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP DETAILS

I. Key Dates

Last day for local match play: July 6, 2025
Teams must have 2 teams registered 30 days prior to that date.

II. Entry Requirements

Must have active USTA membership for entire championship event.
Advancing teams are determined by local league standings.
Local leagues may choose next-best team if top team declines.

III. Fees & Withdrawals

$250 deposit required per team.
Teams withdrawing within 21 days of event or after draw is posted:
- Forfeit entry fee and deposit.
- Subject to grievance and possible suspension.

IV. Format & Scoring

Match format: 3 individual doubles matches per team match.
Team that wins majority of lines (2 of 3) earns 1 point.
Coman tiebreak will be used.
Championship may use round robins, partial round robins, or elimination format.

V. Defaults

Not required to be “bottom-up” unless each team defaults a different line—then lowest line must play up.
Refer to 2025 USTA Georgia Championship Procedures for full default handling.

VI. Tie-Breaking Procedures
In the event of a tie, the following are used in order:

Most individual matches won in the competition
Head-to-head winner
Fewest sets lost
Fewest games lost
Other method as announced by the Championship Committee