4. Registering on-line for a tournament: Watch this video!
5. Registration Close Date is 14 daysbefore the scheduled starting date of each tournament at 1pm EST, unless otherwise specified. Check the online Applicants list to verify your registration.
6. Arrive at the tournament site at least fifteen minutes before your match time and check in promptly with the tournament desk at this time. Players should be prepared to begin play with a five minute warm-up and must wear appropriate tennis attire. The player is responsible for verifying all match times. If tournament is on-line check your match before leaving for the tournament site.
7. The lateness clock will be started when the scheduled match time has arrived, any court is available, and one or both players have not arrived (checked in).
8. Updates to the junior calendar will be posted on the eastern.usta.com at Tournament Schedule and tournament information can be accessed using the ID number listed for each event.
9. Racquet throwing, bad language, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc. will not be tolerated from players or spectators. Offenders will be subject to disciplinary action. Refer to page Point Penalty System for additional information.
10. Know the Rules of Tennis and the Code of Conduct. Call the Eastern office if you have questions.
Excerpt from the Rules, Regulations and Standing Orders of USTA Eastern, Inc.
In addition to the Rules of Tennis of the ITF and the USTA Tournament Regulations, which are hereby adopted as being applicable to all Eastern sanctioned tournaments, the following additional regulations will apply to all tournaments held at or by members of this association and sanctioned by it.
1. Players competing in Eastern sanctioned events are also expected to comply with "The Code" of the USTA and to avoid acts which are detrimental to the game of tennis. The USTA Standards of Conduct are in effect for all Eastern sanctioned events.
2. Match Format(s)
a) All +L1 main draw, single elimination and ¾ playoffs singles matches for boys’ and girls’ 12-18 will be the best of three sets, with a mandatory 10 minute rest period after the 2nd set.
b) All +L1 qualifying and consolation singles matches may be the best of three sets, with a mandatory 10-minute rest period after the 2nd set. However, a 10 pt. deciding match tie-break in lieu of the 3rd set, with a mandatory 3 minute, "coaching on the fly" rest period, may be used for all age groups.
c) L1 and L1B matches for boys’ and girls’ 12, 14, 16, 18 may be the best of three sets, with a mandatory 10- minute rest period after the second set. However, a 10 pt. deciding match tie-break in lieu of the 3rd set, with a mandatory 3 minute, "coaching on the fly" rest period, may be used for all age groups.
e) All L1 and L1B matches for boys’ and girls’ 10s will use regular scoring but in lieu of the third set, play a 10 pt. deciding Match Tie-break with a mandatory 3 minute, "coaching on the fly" rest period.
f) All L2O and L2R matches may be the best of three sets, with a mandatory 10- minute rest period after the second set. However, a 10 pt. deciding match tie-break in lieu of the 3rd set, with a mandatory 3 minute, "coaching on the fly" rest period, may be used for all age groups.
g) The regular scoring system will be used in all BG12-18sd Level 1 events and the set tiebreak will be used at six-all in each set except where indicated to the contrary by the referee. At the tournament directors’ discretion, an eight game pro-set can be used for all BG12-18doubles Level 1 events.
h) VASSS No-Ad scoring may be used ONLY in Level 3 (L3 Eastern UPS) events.
i) It is mandatory that all Level 3 tournaments be conducted in a round-robin format.
3. Daily maximum number of matches and rest periods
a) One event, regular scoring, normal conditions - 2 singles matches or 3 doubles matches
b) Both singles and doubles (2 events) - a combined maximum of three matches. When the deciding match tie-break in lieu of the third set is used, players may be required to play three singles matches in one day.
4. Scheduling
a) No match in an 18, 16, or 14 event will be scheduled after 10p.m. except on a night preceding school when no match will be scheduled after 7p.m.
b) In the 12 & 10 events no match will be scheduled after 9p.m., except on a night preceding school when no match will be scheduled after 6p.m. Tournament directors should use discretion scheduling early matches for players traveling long distances. By mutual consent the players may waive any of the foregoing regulations set forth in paragraphs 3 and 4.
c) In the 10 events no match start after 9pm, except on a night preceding school when no match can start after 6pm.
5. Three new balls (provided by the tournament) will be used for each match. It is optional for the tournament chairperson to use new balls for the third set through the quarterfinals after which new balls for the third set will be provided. Balls will remain the property of the tournament director upon the completion of the match. Click here for a list of acceptable tennis ball brands.
6. Match Time Notification will normally be by Internet posting. When such posting is not available players must call the tournament site to obtain their starting times. Where possible, two matches in each division in the early rounds can be played on each day to minimize travel burden on the players.
7. Surface preparation is the responsibility of the player. Players should contact the host facility in advance to determine the court surface of the tournament and be prepared for possible surface change depending upon weather conditions or extenuating circumstances.
8. Coaching, during individual competition, either verbally or by signals of any kind, is prohibited except during an authorized intermission (the 90-second odd game changeover is not an authorized intermission). The same rules apply to team competition unless they have been modified in advance by an agreement between the teams. Violation of this regulation renders the player and coach or advisor liable to disciplinary action, which may include disqualification of the player and/or removal of the coach or advisor from the premises.
9. Concurrent Tournament Rule No player may register for more than one Eastern sanctioned tennis tournament where the scheduled dates overlap unless the officially announced tournament starting dates are at least three days apart. Players in violation of this rule will be defaulted from all of the tournaments entered and will be subject to two (2) default suspension points. Note: First time offenders will be given courtesy of a warning, but only if they are a first time violator. The courtesy will allow them play in one of the two tournaments however they will be subject to the 2 default suspension points.
Allowable exceptions are:
(1) Entering a tournament scheduled over successive weekends and another tournament through the intervening week
(2) Entering two tournaments where the player can reasonably expect (based on current standings or tournament homepage) to play the starting weekend of one tournament and reasonably expect to start play the following weekend for the second tournament. Only one of the 2 tournaments can be a +L1 Designated Closed event. A player must determine their match schedules as soon as the tournaments have it available, and if their starting match for each tournament commences on the same weekend, the player must give notice of withdrawal to one of the tournaments within the following 24 hours. Failure to do so will result in the assessment of suspension points. A player who does enter properly under this exception, and plays in the first tournament, will still be subject to suspension points for defaulting that tournament to play the second tournament.
No junior player may play in two age divisions in the same tournament unless one of the age divisions is singles and one is doubles. The player must be age eligible for both divisions.
10. Registering for two age divisions in the same tournament is prohibited, unless one of the age divisions is singles and one is doubles. The player must be age eligible for both divisions.
11. Endorsement Requirements A player needs to retire and/or play a match in order for the tournament to count for endorsement and ranking requirements. In other words, a player who has not hit or received a ball, cannot be viewed as having "participated" in the tournament. If a player defaults a tournament match for any reason, if USTA and/or Eastern rules allow, the player may still compete in playoff or consolation matches. The allowable exception would be if a tournament defaults a player for lateness or if a player defaults a tournament match for illness or injury, the player may compete in playoff or consolation matches. For more information on endorsement requirements, click here.
12. Withdrawals, Defaults, Retirements, and Walkovers:
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Withdrawals
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Prior to 18 hours of the player’s start time, the player notifies the tournament director of his/her intention to withdraw. Once entries have closed, no refunds will be given for any reason.
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Defaults
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A player fails to appear for a match or fails to make timely notification to the tournament desk of intent to withdraw. There will be no suspension points assessed if a player notifies the tournament director of intent to withdraw at least 18 hours before the start of his/her first match. Suspension points will be assessed for defaulting any other matches (see Point Penalty System).
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Retirements
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During the course of the match, a player is unable to continue play due to injury or
loss of condition.
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Walkovers
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After completing a match in an event and before the next match in the event, a player notifies the tournament desk of a withdrawal because of injury, illness or tournament administrative error (tae).
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Default for any reason will result in review by the Eastern Junior Competition Committee and the possible imposition of up to and including two suspension points. When a default is due to illness, injury or family emergency, it is the responsibility of the player to hold documentation verifying such reason. If a player accumulates five suspension points for defaults, the player may at that time present this documentation to the competition committee for its review.
Default from a tournament by the player or by the referee due to lateness, walkover or from illness, or injury will not preclude that player from the right (but not the obligation) to play other matches assigned in the same tournament (i.e., a consolation round match or a playoff match). A player who is defaulted from a tournament due to causes involving the point penalty system, may be barred from further competition in the same tournament.