Advance your game by getting on the court, learning from the best and connecting with your friends. Competing in Junior Tournaments will help take your game as far as you want to go – high school, college, or the pros.
Important Update
USTA Florida is eager to resume Youth and Adult Tournaments in many Florida communities. We recognize that many facilities are not yet ready to host tournaments and that some facilities and communities may be subject to additional restrictions or guidelines when hosting these events. For those who are ready to host a tournament, we ask players and providers to work together to follow all USTA Florida Youth and Adult Tournament safety guidelines and any additional recommendations that pertain to your area.
For the full list of tournament guidelines, please view the USTA Florida Youth and Adult Tournament Safety Guidelines or visit ustaflorida.com/coronavirus for more information.
For frequently asked questions regarding resumption of Junior Tournaments visit our Here To Serve page.
2021 Junior Tournament Changes
There are exciting changes on the horizon for USTA Junior Tournaments coming in 2021. The simplified nationwide structure will create a standardized system and greater consistency for our players, parents, coaches, tournament directors and officials. Watch the video and click the button below for more information.
Tournament Levels
There are Junior Tournaments for all players whether you are entry-level, intermediate, or advanced. Florida Section Tournaments are categorized by Levels. These Levels range from 1 – 9. Level 9 Tournaments are entry-level Junior Tournaments, and Level 1 Tournaments are the highest level of Junior Tournaments in the U.S.
Find Upcoming Tournaments By Level
Level 9 (Entry-Level)
A fun way for youth tennis players to gain experience on the court in a no-pressure environment.
- Red (10U), Orange, Green, or Yellow ball
- For ages 18 & Under
- Tournaments are half-day to one-day events
- Matches are timed
- Players must know how to serve, rally and score
- Players learn and gain match experience
- Fun and supportive atmosphere
- Mandatory Court Monitors
- Non-elimination format
- No ranking points awarded
Level 8 (Entry-Level)
The perfect start for the new player in a fun, supportive atmosphere.
- Orange, Green, or Yellow ball
- Limited to players ranked 400 and above on the USTA Florida Standings List
- Most tournaments finish in 1 day and play multiple matches
- Modified scoring and draw formats
- Players must know how to serve, rally and score
- Non-elimination format
- No ranking points awarded
Level 7 (Intermediate)
Theese tournaments are great for the player starting their junior competitive career. Players should have basic match experience and have completed a number of practice matches. Players are guaranteed 2 matches.
- Orange or Yellow ball
- Players are guaranteed 2 matches
- Players should have experienced some success in Level 8 tournaments
- These tournaments count for a USTA Florida Ranking
Level 6 (Advanced)
These tournaments are for the more serious junior competitive player.
- Green or Yellow ball
- Players are guaranteed 2 singles matches
- Players should have experienced some success in Level 7 tournaments
- These tournaments count for a USTA Florida Ranking with a higher ranking value than the Level 7
Level 5 (Advanced)
These tournaments are held three times per year where the top players in the state come to compete. The draw sizes for level 5 tournaments are either a 32 or a 64. Players are also given the opportunity to play doubles in addition to singles.
- Yellow ball
- The top ranked players are selected from those that apply
- 3 of the Level 5s will offer doubles in addition to singles
- These tournaments count for a USTA Florida Ranking with a higher ranking value than the Level 6
Level 4 (Advanced)
Players are selected and tournaments are held one time per month. More ranking points are offered which sometimes attracts the higher ranked player.
- Yellow ball
- There are four level 4 tournaments (One 32 draw and three 64 draws)
- These tournaments count for a USTA Florida Ranking with a higher ranking value than the Level 5 and and also count for a USTA National Ranking
- Level 4 tournaments played in Florida may count for a FL ranking as well as a national ranking
Level 3 (Advanced)
There are two Level 3 singles & 2 doubles tournaments – USTA Florida Winter Championships and the “Bobby Curtis” Junior State Championships plus the USTA Florida Level 3 Doubles Spring Challenge at the National Campus & the USTA FL “Bobby Curtis” Doubles Championship.
- Green or Yellow ball
- There are also Level 3 National Tournaments titled “National Selection Tournaments.”
- Level 3 National tournaments played in Florida may count for a FL ranking as well as a national ranking
- These tournaments count for a USTA Florida Ranking and a USTA National Ranking
Level 2 (Advanced)
These tournaments consist of “National Selection” and Zonal Team Competition.
- Yellow Ball
- These tournaments are held around the United States
- Zonals and Level 2 tournaments played in Florida may count for a USTA Florida Ranking as well as the USTA National Ranking
Level 1 (Advanced)
These tournaments are the highest level of competitive tennis in the United States. These tournament are for players who have earned a high enough ranking in order to gain entry.
These tournaments count for a USTA Florida Ranking and a USTA National Ranking.
Getting Started
Before you get on court for your first Junior Tournament, you’ll want to complete a few easy steps:
- Become A USTA Member
- Create A USTA Account On TennisLink
Florida Junior Rules & Regulations
Here you’ll find quick access to Florida Junior Tournament Rules & Regulations, Florida Residency Requirements and Instructions, and Grievance Procedures. Click the buttons below to download or get more information.
Ranking Information
Ranking points can be earned for both the USTA Florida Section and for USTA National. To find out more about each type of ranking click the links below.
Note: Rankings are published the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month and when needed for Level 3, 4, & 5 selection
Return To Play Ranking Procedure
With the start of play in July, USTA Florida will run a new ranking list on July 7th. That ranking will include results dating back to March 23, 2019. Then moving forward, these are the dates for the remainder of 2020 below.
Once we complete this process, we will be at the end of 2020 and moving into 2021. ALL Rankings will move to USTA National as we begin with the National alignment.
| Florida Ranking Publishing Date | How Far Back |
|---|---|
| July 7, 2020 | March 23, 2019 |
| July 21, 2020 | April 13, 2019 |
| August 4, 2020 | May 4, 2019 |
| August 18, 2020 | May 25, 2019 |
| September 1, 2020 | June 15, 2019 |
| September 15, 2020 | July 6, 2019 |
| September 29, 2020 | July 27, 2019 |
| October 13, 2020 | August 17, 2019 |
| October 27, 2020 | September 14, 2019 |
| November 10, 2020 | October 12, 2019 |
| November 24, 2020 | November 9, 2019 |
| December 8, 2020 | December 7, 2019 |
General Rankings FAQs
- USTA Florida sanctioned tournaments (Level 3-7)
- All tournaments on the USTA National Junior schedule
- Results of workshops, exhibitions, or unsanctioned tournaments will not be counted toward the point tabulations.
- Players are awarded ranking points in the 12s through 18s divisions. USTA Florida does not rank players in the 10 and under division.
Rankings are published 3 days before the registration deadline of Florida’s level 3, 4 and tournaments.
If your name does not appear on the ranking list and you have won at least one match in a USTA Florida Junior tournament and met the Florida Residency Requirement, or for any other questions, you can contact Ann Brown. Please have the age division of the player that you are inquiring about and his or her USTA membership number available.
If you disagree with any tournament results, you need to contact the tournament director of that specific tournament. Only the tournament directors can make changes to published tournament results. The accuracy of the ranking lists is dependent on tournaments being published on time.
Find Rankings On Combine Standings & Tentative Ranking Lists
Florida Residency & Required Documents
The Junior Competitive Tennis Council has mandated a strict enforcement of the Florida Residency Requirement for USTA Florida Level 3, 4, & 5 tournaments, endorsement to USTA National events, and Intersectional and Zonal teams. For all these events, USTA Florida follows the USTA eligibility rule for USTA National tournaments. Click to expand the tabs below for more information.
These documents are required for a player to be listed on the Florida Tentative Ranking list and Florida Endorsement list. They are also required to be considered for selection into the Level 3, 4, & 5 tournaments, Intersectional and Zonal teams, and USTA National Championships. Once the documents are approved the player will be eligible to enter these events.
Note: Names will appear on the Tentative Ranking list when the rankings for the next ranking period are calculated. This will also serve as confirmation that the paperwork has been approved. The Florida “Tentative Rankings” are updated approximately 1 time per month in accordance with the schedule of Florida’s level 3, 4 and 5 tournaments.
All Junior players, who intend to participate in the events listed above must mail the following documents and be approved by the USTA Florida office the Tuesday before the Registration Deadline of the level 3, 4 or 5. Upon approval from our office you will receive a confirmation email including the payment link for the processing fee. For questions please contact Nolan Brewer: Brewer@ustaflorida.com
If you need to update the address in your USTA account, please call Member Services at 1-800-990-8782.
- Parent’s Phone Number and Email Address: You must provide this in order to receive the online payment link for the processing fee of $31.17 per player. Once your documents are approved by our office you will be emailed the payment link directly.
- A copy of the player’s birth certificate.
- A copy of a Declaration of Domicile, signed by the parent(s) proving that the player’s parent(s) live and work in Florida. The Declaration of Domicile form can be obtained at your County Clerk of Courts Office. This document must be notarized.
- The player’s USTA Member number
- If the player’s Birth Certificate is from a foreign country then the player must submit a copy of the Permanent Resident Card, commonly called “the Green Card.” Visas, no matter what type, do not satisfy this rule.
Send your documents & processing fee to:
USTA Florida
Attention: Junior Competitive Department
12005 Performance Drive
Orlando, FL 32827
Please note: Once your documents are received by our office you will be emailed the payment link directly.
In the event of a dispute as to the eligibility of a player according to the requirements above based upon the domicile of the player’s parent, the following factors shall be used to determine the true domicile:
- Where the parent files a state tax return.
- Where the head of household (primary wage earner) resides and is employed.
- Address on the parents’ federal income tax return.
- Affidavit of domicile executed by the head of the household.
- Intent to permanently reside in Florida notwithstanding the eligibility of the player to qualify for closed tournaments.
- Siblings declared residence for higher education tuition aid.
- Residence of dependent children of player’s parents.
Sectional Championships
Each year USTA Florida holds Sectional Championships for the state’s top players in age divisions ranging from 10s through 18s. Find out more about each Sectional Championship below.
Sportsmanship
We are committed to providing positive and fun player and parent experiences recognizing players, parents, and coaches routinely at events who demonstrate great examples of our player promise and good sportsmanship.
USTA Junior Player Promise
I recognize that tennis is a sport that places the responsibility for fair play on me.
I promise to abide by the rules of the game, which require me to give the benefit of the doubt to my opponent.
At all times I shall strive to compete with the true spirit of sportsmanship, recognizing that my behavior on the court is a direct reflection of my character.
Whether this match ends with my victory or defeat, I promise to conduct myself in a way that honors my opponents, my team, those who support me, and the game of tennis.
Share your sportsmanship moments
Were you recognized with a USTA Florida Sportmanship pin at an event?
- Share it online
- Tag @ustaflorida
- Include #FLSportsmanship
Or click here to send via email
Additional Resources
Players & Parents
Tournament Directors/Officials
- USTA Player Development Podcast
- Junior Tournament Regulations
- Junior Guidelines – Red, Orange, and Green
- Youth Progression Pathway
- Friend At Court
- Download “The Code”
- Download “The Code” (Spanish Version)
- Junior Levels Chart
- Sportsmanship Recognition
- Download The USTA Florida Junior Competitve Position Paper
- Grievance Procedures
- Grievance Form
Have Questions Or Need Assistance?
We are here to help.
- For Youth Pathway, Entry-Level , and Green Ball Championships questions & assistance please contact Thad Hawkes
- For general tournament related questions and assistance please contact Nolan Brewer
