USTA Leagues Appeals Grievances And Player Sanctions

Automated Appeals

For additional information and instructions on appealing your rating; visit this page. Please note that appealing will NOT reveal your rating in 100th of a point format. You will receive an automatic response advising whether Granted or Denied.

Once you select UP or DOWN and click SUBMIT at the bottom of the appeal page your request is final. You cannot go back.

When appealing UP, the player’s rating is compared to the player’s current play level to see if it’s within range.
When appealing DOWN, the player’s rating is compared to the next play level below the player’s level to see if it’s within range.
Only the player may appeal their computer-generated rating.
Please note that no championship benchmark rating may be appealed the first year received.

Self-Rate Appeals

For additional information and instructions on appealing your rating; visit this page. To appeal a self-rated rating first log in to your TennisLink Leagues homepage. Under your NTRP Level, click on Appeal Rating Level. Follow the prompts to appeal up or down. To appeal down, fill out and submit electronically, the Player Background History/Appeal Form that will appear.

The Self-Rate Appeals Committee will review your request and email you their decision. Please allow up to 3 weeks for a decision to be made. The decision of the SRA Committee is final and binding.

Find your suggested NTRP (General & Experienced Player Guidelines)

Appeal Your Rating

Medical Appeals

The Medical Appeals Process

A medical appeal may be requested by a player for reconsideration of his/her NTRP rating based on a permanently disabling injury or illness that occurred after the last match played prior to the publication of the most current Year End or Early Start NTRP rating level.

The Section shall utilize a Medical Review Committee to evaluate all medical appeals; and, if the injury/illness is deemed permanently disabling, the appeal will be forwarded to the National Medical Appeal Committee for a final decision rendered in writing.

Philosophy

While USTA League acknowledges that a medical appeal process is necessary and should be available, it must be understood that very few medical appeals should be granted, as it is usually better to let the computer determine the NTRP Skill Level based on actual match play.

Rationale:

If injury or illness is not permanently disabling, an appeal cannot be granted even if treatment, recovery and/or rehabilitation may take a year or longer.
Individuals respond to injuries and/or illnesses in different ways so it is hard to predict the impact on their skill level.
Many illnesses, such as osteoarthritis, are chronic, progressive, permanent conditions. However, the rate of progression of the illness, resulting symptoms and degree of impairment, as well as reaction to medication and treatment, varies in different people.
Most individuals play better after knee, hip and shoulder surgery due to a decrease in pain and a possible increase in mobility from their pre-operative status.
Most individuals who have heart disease, cancer, etc., if medically released to play tennis, will probably be able to play at their previous skill level.
If medically released to play tennis, potential pain, shortness of breath and risk of injury should not be factors in determining NTRP skill level, as these could occur no matter what NTRP level playing.
Endurance issues may occur at any skill level and vary from individual to individual. More energy may be exerted at the lower skill levels than the higher skill levels depending on the player’s style of play, court position and placement of the ball. Therefore, the amount of energy exerted while playing tennis varies in individuals and cannot be accurately predicted.

Only the player may appeal his/her computer-generated rating DUE TO MEDICAL REASONS. To file a medical appeal, the player must submit a written request for reconsideration of his/her rating, the USTA League NTRP Medical Appeal Form and the Attending Physician’s Statement via email, fax or mail to his/her USTA Section League Coordinator or designee who will in turn forward to the Chair of the designated Medical Review Committee. When possible, forms should be submitted via email.

The following are criteria for completing the USTA League NTRP Medical Appeal:

The permanently disabling injury or illness must have occurred after the last match played prior to the publication of the most current Year End or Early Start NTRP rating level.
The Medical Appeal request and completed USTA League NTRP Medical Appeal Form must be submitted in writing to the player’s USTA Section League Coordinator or designee who will in turn forward to the Chair of the designated Medical Review Committee.
The Medical Appeal must be accompanied by an Attending Physician’s Statement (APS) that is written by the physician who is treating the player for the specific injury/illness being appealed. The APS must include a current evaluation of the injury or illness, all substantiating information, a prognosis for recovery with a timeline and any permanent limitations the player currently has.

How To File A Medical Appeal

A written request for reconsideration of his/her rating

The Medical Appeal Form
The Attending Physician’s Statement Form
Send all items to USTA Florida: adultteam@ustaflorida.com

*Incomplete appeals or appeals will not be processed.

NOTE: NTRP Computer Ratings are good for 3 years (2 years for those aged 60 or older during the League year.) An individual must play at their published rating or one NTRP level higher.

Grievance Procedures

Grievance Overview

Procedures for filing grievances of or related to local, area and section play shall follow the rules established in the USTA League regulations as set forth for championship play. Grievance filings are NOT confidential. All information submitted to USTA Florida staff, concerning the matter, is shared with all parties named in the grievance and the volunteer appointed grievance committee.

Grievances

A Grievance is defined as a “written formal complaint regarding an alleged violation of regulation or procedure.” Any league captain, coordinator or member of a championship committee has the right to file a NTRP Grievance against a player and/or captain. The grievance will claim that the player and/or captain committed or condoned obtaining a Self Rate or possesses a rating which is at a lower NTRP level but has demonstrated the ability to compete at a higher NTRP level. League administrators are not required to accept such filings unless the specific claims within the grievance meet certain conditions. The items listed below suggest a framework for administrators to use to judge the admissibility of such filings.

3.02 GRIEVANCE TYPES

3.02A General Grievance.

Any grievance, other than those defined in Regulation 3.02B Administrative Grievance, 3.02C National League Grievance, 3.02D Eligibility Grievance and 3.02E NTRP Grievance, alleging a violation of (i) the USTA Constitution and Bylaws; (ii) the USTA LEAGUE REGULATIONS; (iii) the FRIEND AT COURT – The USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations including THE CODE and Wheelchair Rules of Tennis (unless modified by these USTA LEAGUE REGULATIONS); or (iv) the standards of good conduct, fair play, and good sportsmanship, shall constitute a General Grievance.

3.02B Administrative Grievance.

Any grievance pertaining to administration of the League Program at any level shall constitute an Administrative Grievance. Captains and committee members are not subject to Administrative Grievances.

3.02C National League Grievance.

The only National League Grievance that can be filed is an Administrative Grievance against the National League Administrator.

3.02D Eligibility Grievance.

Any grievance, other than an NTRP Grievance, contending that a player and/or team has failed to meet eligibility requirements to participate in the USTA League, shall constitute an Eligibility Grievance.

3.02E NTRP Grievance.

Any grievance contending that a player’s NTRP level is lower than his/her actual skill level shall constitute an NTRP Grievance. (See Reg. 3.03E(1) Players Subject to NTRP Grievances.)

3.03B Local League Procedures

3.03B(1) Any grievance alleging a violation by an individual or team during local league competition shall be filed in writing with the Local or District/Area League Coordinator or designee having jurisdiction. The grievance must be filed prior to the commencement of whichever occurs first: (a) the involved team’s next match in that flight, whether or not the involved player participates or (b) within 24 hours after the end of the local league season, except for Administrative Grievances (See Reg. 3.03A(2), Eligibility Grievances (See Reg. 3.03B(3), and NTRP Grievances (See Reg. 3.03E(3)).

FLORIDA – 3.03B(1)a All General Grievances filed during local league competition must be accompanied by a $50.00 check. The filing fee will be returned if the grievance is upheld or at the discretion of the USTA Florida League Grievance Committee. There is no charge for filing an Administrative, Eligibility or an NTRP Grievance.

Local League Grievance Form
Protocol For Filing A Self-Rate Grievance
Find your suggested NTRP (General & Experienced Player Guidelines)

Filing A Grievance Appeal

USTA League Grievance Appeal Form

3.04A General Procedures.

3.04A(1) Any party(ies) to the grievance may appeal the decision of the Grievance Committee within the time fixed by the Grievance Committee. Upon receipt of an appeal of the decision of the Grievance Committee, the Grievance Appeal Committee shall act promptly to resolve the appeal.

3.04A(2) The party(ies) appealing shall file a written notice of appeal with the appropriate coordinator or designee, who shall send it to the Chair of the appropriate Grievance Appeal Committee, the Chair of the Grievance Committee whose decision is being appealed, the Local, District or Sectional League Coordinator, and to the other party(ies) involved in the grievance.

3.04A(3) The party(ies) appealing shall have an opportunity to submit, in writing, facts and arguments in support of their respective positions. All information submitted shall be provided to all parties.

3.04A(4) Play During Grievance Appeal Procedures.

3.04A(4)a If the grievance was upheld, the individual is subject to all penalties imposed by the Grievance Committee during the appeal process.

3.04A(4)b If the grievance was dismissed or denied and then appealed, the party(ies) may participate during the appeal process but must understand that the decision of the Grievance Committee may be remanded for reconsideration.

3.04B Grievance Appeal Committee Action.

3.04B(1) The Grievance Appeal Committee shall not be required to hold any hearing except as provided in Reg. 3.04B(2). Its decision may be based entirely on the findings of fact by the Grievance Committee whose decision is being appealed and on the facts and arguments submitted in writing by the party(ies) to the appeal.

3.04B(2) If the Grievance Committee did not hold a hearing, the Grievance Appeal Committee shall do so, provided any party involved in the grievance requests so in writing. However, the committee may hear such further evidence as it, in its absolute discretion, deems appropriate.

3.04B(3) The Grievance Appeal Committee shall have the power to affirm, modify, remand for cause, or reject the decision of the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Appeal Committee shall not impose a harsher penalty than that imposed by the Grievance Committee. For the purpose of clarification, should the Grievance Committee elect to not impose a penalty, the Grievance Appeal Committee may not impose a penalty; however, the Grievance Appeal Committee may, for cause, remand the matter to the original Grievance Committee or a new Grievance Committee for reconsideration.

3.04B(4) A copy of the Grievance Appeal Committee’s written decision setting forth the basis of its decision shall be promptly sent to all interested parties and such decisions shall be final and binding. The following exception shall apply: any individual or team suspended by any Local, District/Area, or Sectional Grievance Appeal Committee for a period of 12 months or more may appeal the final decision of the Grievance Appeal Committee to the National League Grievance Appeal Committee within the deadline established by the Grievance Appeal Committee.

Player Penalty

Players, Teams, and Captains can be penalized and sanctions for various actions and/or behavior. Please click the button below to see the list of offenses and the corresponding penalties and sanctions for players and/or Captains.

Suspension Point System

Suspension Point System Q&A

Suspension Point System Calculation Tables