Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

A. Registration & Score Keeping

 

  • How do I register/create a team?

This is done by your Area League Coordinator (ALC).

 

  • How do we get a team name entered on TennisLink?

      Request through your ALC.

 

  • How do we get a co-captain entered?

Request through your ALC.

 

  • How do I get a refund for players registered in the wrong team?

A player registered on the wrong team, typically can be moved to the correct team, which does not require a refund.  Request through your ALC.

 

  • How do I remove a player from the team?

Request through your Area League Coordinator by providing player USTA #, team #.  If the player is eligible for a refund, ALC will facilitate.

 

  • How do I and when is it appropriate to dispute the results of a match?

Accurate reporting in TennisLink is always appropriate.  Most disputes are resolved between captains, which is always the 1st action.   Failure of captains to agree leads to the 2nd action of reporting the conflict to your ALC for resolution, after you have clicked dispute in TennisLink.

 

  • How do I record the scores of a match?

Your Area League Coordinator (ALC) helps new captains learn to use TennisLink.  Attached is user documentation, 1A as well.

 

  • Where do I find ‘match codes’?

       1. Enter your team number in TennisLink homepage, click ‘Go’ box:

 

 

2.   2. Click ‘Match Summary’:

 

 

3.    3. View Match Codes:

 

 

  • How do we get a score mistake corrected?

       Notify your Area League Coordinator (ALC).

 

 

  • How should I record score when the other team defaulted?

Enter the players’ names receiving default, & choose ‘Default’ from the drop down box.  TennisLink will automatically record score of 6-0, 6-0.  Click ‘Next’ to complete.

            

 

  • How do I enter a retirement score?

Enter score at time of retirement, Choose ‘Retired’ from the drop down box. Click ‘Next’ to complete.

 


B. Competition

  • Whose call is it for the match to be canceled due to rain, and when?

Check your local league rules for time/notification requirements and rainout policy. 

 

  • If a match is rained out before play and we have already exchanged lineups do I have to use the same lineup for the makeup?

No.

 

  • What happens if only one match has started when we get rained out, but have exchanged lineups?

The matches that have NOT started may have different lineups when replayed.  Matches that have started will resume with the same lineups and score when the rain delay was called.

 

C. NTRP & Rating

  • Why don't exclusive mixed doubles players have a Dynamic Rating, or why can't they ever be DQed? 

Players who exclusively compete in mixed doubles do receive a dynamic rating at year end.  They can't be DQ'd because they don't have a dynamic rating (not calculated after every match as in Adult) which would allow their rating to go above level.  running


  • What makes one a Benchmark player? 

A benchmark player is a player who advanced to championship or was disqualified.  If a team progresses out of its local league, including local championship playoffs, the players become benchmarks. 


  • If a player is playing at 2 different levels, are his or her chances for disqualification increased?

Yes, assuming good results at the higher level.  It also depends on player’s NTRP start rate. 

 

  • If a player chooses to play at a higher level than their rating, will they be more likely to be moved up at the end of the year?

Yes, with the same assumptions as the last question.

 

 

D. Rules and Policies

Grievances

  • How is a grievance defined?

A grievance is a written formal complaint regarding an alleged violation of a regulation or procedure.

 

  • Who can file a grievance? 

2.02A (5).  A complaint against an individual or team may only be filed by (a) the team captain of team who has competed in the match where the alleged violations occurred, (b) an Area League Coordinator (ALC), or (c) a member of a Championships Committee.

 

  • Where is it sent? 

Grievances against local players/teams are sent to the Area League Coordinator.

 

  • Are there forms? 

Yes.   The Grievance Complaint form and Grievance Appeal form is available through your Area League Coordinator as well as online here.


  • Is there a deadline?

2.02B(1), a complaint alleging a violation by an individual or team during local league competition must be filed prior to commencement of the next team match in that flight involving such individual or team, or within twenty-four hours after the end of local league play, whichever occurs first.

A complaint with respect to eligibility issues, including but not limited to age, membership, identity, may be filed at any time.

A complaint dealing with self-rate abuse may be filed up to 48 hours after the conclusion of a self-rated player's Section Championship.

 

  • What are the criteria for choosing sites for Districts (Why don't we have more tournaments in Northern Virginia, Richmond or wherever)?

Minimum requirements for a tournament site are sufficient number of affordable courts, and full service hotel(s).   As an example, Senior Districts supported 46 teams, resulting in tight scheduling over 15 courts.  Adult and Combo championships require even more courts.   Our tournament growth increases every year at every event and we evaluate possible sites every year.  There are a limited number of sites in Virginia with enough courts to support a District event.  In 2009, events were hosted in Charlottesville, Wintergreen, Richmond, Newport News, Virginia Beach.

 

  • What is the purpose of the MAS Rule 10d?  Why do we have the 2-player rule?

The 2-player rule is to prevent 3 or 4 strong players from one team joining another team, and therefore dominating both leagues.  Also helps prevent defaults at District and Section Championships, because players have to declare for which team they will play.

 

  • If we must have it, why does it need to apply to different levels?

Currently under discussion, but the same theory applies.  Let's assume 5 strong players from a 3.0 team play on a 3.5 team.  Both teams win, which can create defaults at District and Section Championships due to scheduling.  Virginia splits up their levels at Adult Districts, but DC, Maryland and Section events do not - 3.0 and 3.5 may be playing at the same time. Also to prevent whole teams from playing up, which dilutes competition – a very common complaint.

 

  • In a 2.5 match, if 1 of the #1 doubles players doesn't show up, can you put 1 of your #2 players with the #1 player, or do you have to move the whole #2 doubles team up? 

You may not make changes to a lineup except for injury and only before the 1st serve, once lineups have been exchanged.  You would move the entire #2 doubles team to the #1 slot and forfeit #2.   Applies to any level/division, not just 2.5.

 

 

  • What does the money we pay to Virginia Tennis go for?  What is the reason for the high registration fee we pay on TennisLink?

League Registration fees, some of which also go to an Area League Coordinator (ALC) and/or CTA,  are the primary source of revenue for all Virginia Tennis activities which include all League activities, such as District tournaments. League Registration fees also fund Community Tennis; Junior Team Tennis; School Initiatives; Quick Start Tennis; National Junior Tennis Leagues; Adaptive and Wheelchair Tennis; Tennis in the Parks; Tennis on Campus; Recreational Coach Workshops; Tennis Block Parties; Tennis Welcome Centers.  League Registration fees also fund non-league tournaments, such as QuickStart; Half Day & One Day events; NTRP; State Championships, Virginia Open Series. 

Local fees may include your local Community Tennis Association, court costs, and Coordinator expenses.

 

  • Why do some teams bypass District tournament and go directly to Sectionals or Nationals?

There may not be enough teams at a specific level to populate a District tournament.  As an example, in 2009, Super Seniors go directly to Sectionals since there were only 4 leagues in the Virginia District. 

 

  • What is the requirement for Player Declaration?

            Playing at different levels- 

Not required.  Only required  if playing on 2 teams at the same level, same divisions.

Captaining multiple teams-

Declaration required only if captaining 2 teams at the same level, same division.

 

  • Do local league playoffs count towards advancement to District/Sectional/National tournaments?

Yes – all matches count towards advancement.

 

 

Don't see your question listed?  Contact Bill Fitzgibbon at CLOAKING .