Appeals, Grievances, & Player Sanctions

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.

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

A written request for reconsideration of his/her rating

1. The Medical Appeal Form
2. The Attending Physician’s Statement Form
3. 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.