Which level fits
Levels run from Junior Circuit and Level 7, for newer players, up to Level 1, the National Championships. The lower the number, the stronger the field.
Length is part of the fit. A Junior Circuit event is about half a day, a Level 7 is one day, a Level 6 up to 2 days, a Level 5 up to 3 days and a Level 4 up to 4 days.
Will they get in
Each tournament sets how it picks its field when it fills. Many Junior Circuit events go first come, first served, so enter early. Almost every Level 7 takes the lowest-ranked players first, so a strong ranking can keep a junior out. Most Level 1 to 6 tournaments take the highest-ranked first.
Those read the National Standings List, which includes 15% of the 6 best doubles results, so doubles helps a junior get in at Level 6 and up. Some tournaments are picked by the director, and then no ranking guarantees a place.
Will it help the ranking
A ranking is the 6 best singles results in the last 12 months. So a new result helps only if it beats the 6th-best one already counting, and the ranking goes up by the difference, not the new result's full points.
A junior with fewer than 6 results has an empty slot, so every point from a new result counts in full.
Playing up an age group can help too: points from an older division count in full toward your junior's own division, once they've played at least one ranking tournament in it.
When entries close
Every tournament has an entry deadline. Selections post after entries close, and draws usually post the week of the tournament.
Coach Ace's tournament finder lists the tournaments near you, and each tournament page says its level, how it picks its field and when entries close.
Not only points
A tournament that won't move the ranking can still be worth playing for the matches and the experience.
Common questions
What should we look at when choosing a junior tennis tournament?
The level, how the tournament picks its field, whether a good result would beat the 6th-best result already on the ranking, and when entries close.
Will a higher-level tournament always help more?
Not always. A result helps the ranking only if it beats the 6th-best result already counting, and a junior has to get in first.
Should my junior enter early?
At many Junior Circuit events, yes: they go first come, first served. Elsewhere, entering early doesn't change who gets in, but every tournament has a deadline.
Does doubles matter for getting in?
At Level 6 and up, when the tournament picks by ranking, yes. Acceptance reads the National Standings List, which includes 15% of the 6 best doubles results.
Does playing up an age group count?
Yes. Points from an older division count in full toward your junior's own division, if the result is among their 6 best and they've played at least one ranking tournament in their own division.
Is a tournament worth playing if it won't raise the ranking?
It can be, for the matches and the experience.
Next
Coach Ace is the AI coach for junior tennis parents, made by SportsAgent. It is not affiliated with USTA. Rules can change; confirm anything critical with the tournament desk. thesportsagent.ai · Privacy · Terms · Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information