What should we know before our junior's first USTA tournament?

Junior Circuit or Level 7

A Junior Circuit event is the very first step. Expect 2 to 4 short matches over about half a day, usually 2 to 4 hours. Every player plays every round, and it's about the first experience, not the result.

Level 7 is the first ranked tournament. It's one day of several short matches, and points start here: 12 for each main-draw win and 6 for each consolation win, counting the first 4 wins.

Getting in

Many Junior Circuit events go first come, first served, so entering early matters more than anything else.

Almost every Level 7 takes the lowest-ranked players first. The field is kept for players who need it, so a junior with no ranking yet is exactly who it's for.

Selections post after entries close, and draws usually post the week of the tournament.

Getting on the ranking list

A junior appears on their division's list once they've played a ranking tournament in that division or the one below it, and have at least one ranking point from a win on court. A win by walkover still pays the points, but walkovers alone don't get a junior listed.

From there, the ranking is their 6 best singles results in the last 12 months, plus 15% of their 6 best doubles results.

Getting ready

Coach Ace has a free guide for a Junior Circuit event and for a Level 7: what the day looks like, what to pack, the mental game, and food and water, with a 14-day plan, stage by stage.