Structure/Formats

Junior Tournaments

USTA Junior Tournament Structure

Changes to USTA Junior Competition Structure
In an effort to improve the junior tournament experience for thousands of young players throughout the country, the USTA unanimously approved changes to the National Junior Competition Structure that took effect on January 1, 2014.

The new structure has been designed to maximize a player’s competitive experiences, whether that be at the national, regional, sectional or district level. At the sectional level and above, players will advance to higher levels as they earn their way through the pathway.

LEVEL 1

  • All USTA National Level 1 Tournaments National Masters
  • National Championships
  • National Team Championships

LEVEL 2 & LEVEL 1A

  • All USTA National Level 2 Tournaments National Selection Tournaments
  • Zone Team Championships
  • BG14s/16s Sweet Sixteen
  • Easter Bowl tournament

LEVEL 3

  • All USTA National Level 3 Tournaments National Selection Tournaments / Warm Up Tournament to Hard Courts
  • Intermountain Closed Summer/Fall Championships

LEVEL 4

  • All USTA National Level 4 Tournaments National Closed/Open Regional Tournaments
  • Intermountain Masters Series – Winter/Spring/Summer/Labor Day

LEVEL 5

  • ITA District Cup Series (2 in each District – 12 total Intermountain events)

LEVEL 6

  • All USTA Sanctioned District Open Championship Tournaments

LEVEL 7

  • All USTA Sanctioned District Challenger Tournaments

LEVEL 8

  • All USTA Sanctioned District Futures Tournaments

Colorado Junior Tournament Structure

Junior Tournament Guidelines – Formats / Schedules / Scoring

Level 6 / Championship (Advanced)

  • traditional draws

8 & Under: 1 tiebreak game to 7; or Best of 3 tiebreak games to 7; or timed match
10 & Under: 1 6-game set; or Best of 3 (tiebreak in lieu of 3rd)
12 & Under: Best of 3
14 & Under: Best of 3
16 & Under: Best of 3
18 & Under: Best of 3

Level 7 / Challenger (Intermediate)

  • 2-match guarantee (FMLC) or A.C.E. Format*
  • Use of Championship scoring (above) for multi-day events
  • 1-2 day events; use of modified scoring (at right); 3-match guarantee (round robin/compass draw)

8 & Under: 1 tiebreak game to 7; or Best of 3 tiebreak games to 7; or timed match
10 & Under: 1 short set no-ad (7 pt tiebreak at 4-all)
12 & Under: Best of 3 short no-ad sets (7 pt tiebreak at 4-all, tiebreak in lieu of 3rd)
14 & Under: Best of 3 short no-ad sets (7 pt tiebreak at 4-all, tiebreak in lieu of 3rd)
16 & Under: 1 standard set, no-ad
18 & Under: 1 standard set, no-ad

Level 8 / Futures (entry-level)

  • 1-2 day events; use of modified scoring (at right); 3-match guarantee (round robin/compass draw) A.C.E. Format*

8 & Under: 1 tiebreak game to 7; or Best of 3 tiebreak games to 7; or timed match
10 & Under: 1 short set no-ad (7 pt tiebreak at 4-all); or timed match (20-30 min)
12 & Under: Best of 3 short no-ad sets (7 pt tiebreak at 4-all, tiebreak in lieu of 3rd)
14 & Under: Best of 3 short no-ad sets (7 pt tiebreak at 4-all, tiebreak in lieu of 3rd)
16 & Under: 1 standard set, no-ad
18 & Under: 1 standard set, no-ad

ACE-USTACO_389x

All USTA Colorado sanctioned Level 8/Futures (Entry-Level) events and Level 7/Challenger (Intermediate-Level) events utilize the A.C.E. Multiple Match Format.

Selected Level 6/Championship (Advanced-Level) events have adopted A.C.E. as well.

Download the ACE Quick-Reference Flyer.