Adult League Reference Guide (updated 10/10/24)

CAPTAIN MATCH RESPONSIBILITIES

• Captain is responsible for knowing all league rules (National, USTA Texas, and Local) and communicating them to their players. 
• Captains should confirm match time and location prior to the match date. If the captain is unable to attend, an acting captain should be appointed.
• Captains will exchange line-ups 5 minutes prior to the start of the match.
• Report score within 48 hours of match completion. 

PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be familiar with league rules, The Code, Friend at Court, and act with good sportsmanship.   
• Arrive punctually and be prepared to be on the court and start the match at the scheduled time.
• Silence phones and make sure kids and spectators are respectful during play. 
• Line calls, double bounces, and net touches are the player’s responsibility only on their side of the net.
• All issues or calls that arise during a match are to be resolved on court, and ONLY by the players involved in the match on that court, never by other players, including Captains, spectators, or club staff. 

MATCH PLAY

• Coaching is not allowed during league play.
• Play is continuous. The maximum breaks are 25 seconds between points, 90 seconds for changeovers, and 120 seconds after a set. No break shall be taken after the 1st game of a set. 
• Bathroom breaks should be taken during a set break or, if an emergency, at a changeover. 
• The majority of lines MUST be played for it to be a valid match. 
• If a match needs to be forfeited, it must come from the lowest line of singles or doubles.
• Local score format may be set at the local league coordinator’s discretion. 
• If a player is injured during the warm-up period prior to the start of play, a legal substitute can play in their place. Order of play continues. 
• If a player cannot complete the match, the   match is retired. Scores are entered as played. E.g. 6-3, 2-0 RETIRED (not completed)

TIEBREAKS

• The first server in a set tiebreak is the player who would have been next in the serving order if the set did not end with a tiebreaker. 
• The first server will serve one point from the deuce court, following which each server will serve two points, the first being from the ad-court. 
• Players will change ends using the Coman Tiebreak Procedures, after the first point and then after every fourth point (i.e. 1, 5, 9, 13 …)
• The first server for the set following a tiebreaker will be the player/team that received the first point of the tiebreak. A doubles team may change their order of service in the new set.
• A 10-point Match Tiebreak is played in lieu of a 3rd set if sets 1 and 2 are split. The order of team service continues but it is treated as a new set so the individual team may decide which partner will serve first and may also change their court positions.

OFFICIATED MATCHES ONLY

In league matches where officials are present, the following rules can be enforced:

• Late penalties. Beginning at the scheduled match time, and if courts are available, the late player(s) loses the toss plus 1 game for each 5 minutes late. The match is defaulted at 15 minutes past the scheduled start time.
• Medical Time-Outs. A one-time 3 minute medical time-out is allowed for injury, illness and heat related conditions. 
• A maximum 15 minute medical time out is allowed for bleeding injuries. 

ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS

ELIGIBILITY FOR LOCAL AND SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

League

Computer Rated  

Self Rated / Appeal

Adult 18 & Over, Adult 40 & Over, Adult 55 & Over, Mixed 18 & Over, Mixed 40 & Over

must play 2 matches during the local league season (1 can be a default)

must play 3 matches during the local league season (zero defaults count)

Combo, Tri-Level,  Mixed 55 & Over, 

Adult 65 & Over Leagues

Must play 1 match, no defaults may count to advance to Sectionals (if local league plays)

Tri-level players must have a computer rating to be eligible for Sectionals

Lone Star

No matches are required to attend Sectional. 

Team Penalty for Early Withdrawal or Failure to Complete a Sectional Championship

Teams should consider their player commitment and team roster prior to committing to a Texas Sectional Championship.  A 12-month Texas Sectional suspension for the following year will be applied to “all qualified players” if a team within 14 days of the scheduled start of a Sectional withdraws or fails to complete the majority of all lines in a match while attending Sectionals.  

The local/area coordinator will be notified of the players receiving the suspension. Players may play local leagues if not facing further sanctions from their local leagues.

Right to Appeal: Only the team Captain may file a written appeal within 14 days of the suspension through the local/area coordinator to the Section Appeals Committee.  Relief may be granted under extenuating circumstances.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Cooperation and Courtesy are expected from all players. Points played in good faith stand. All points should be treated of equal importance. Players should give one another the benefit of the doubt on all calls and lets. Always be a good tennis citizen. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For additional information about USTA Texas Leagues, links to the USTA Texas Operating Procedures, National Regulations, and other league resources, scan this QR-code with your phone’s camera to access the USTA Texas Adult League webpage.

Check with your Local League Coordinator for local rules/regulations. For more information about USTA Texas Adult Leagues go to usta.com/texas-league.