Until the past two months, I didn’t fully appreciate that the USTA has implemented two independent suspension point systems. Leagues and Tournaments have separate schedule tables and processing procedures. It is so obvious in retrospect that I am a little embarrassed to admit that I failed to notice some of the key differences and idiosyncrasies until so recently.
I am stunned to learn that a player could accumulate 8 suspension points in a tournament setting and 8 in USTA League and not exceed the threshold of 10, which is when an actual suspension would occur under either system. Moreover, a player could apparently be suspended from one form of USTA competition and still participate in the other. I am kind of hoping I have that wrong and that someone can correct me. If not, it blows me away.
The original suspension point system outlined in the USTA Friend at Court was clearly used as the basis for the USTA League version. However, the two systems have drifted apart in the intervening decades since that happened. Some of the differences make perfect sense, such as the League edition having penalties for team captains and self-rating violations that are unnecessary in a tournament setting.
On the other hand, the suspension points imposed for the same violations don’t always precisely align. For example, acts of physical violence in a tournament can only be assessed 10 suspension points but that is worth 10-24 suspension points in a USTA League setting.
Another key difference between the two systems is how the appeals process is defined. In fact, I think the tournament suspension point system has a horribly unfair regulation that is not in place for League play.
Suspension points assessed at national tournaments. A player may appeal suspension points assessed at national tournaments only after the player has accumulated sufficient points to be suspended.
USTA Friend at Court, USTA Regulations IV.F.10.b
I find it patently absurd that a player who receives tournament suspension points may not appeal them unless enough points are accumulated to warrant suspension. The logic that underpins this rule is likely that it eliminates the appeals committee’s workload for something that doesn’t matter. However, if a player receives unjust suspension points that would be overturned, it actually does matter.
Mercifully, USTA League Suspension points appear to be appealable at any time.
Appeal of suspension points. Under Regulations 3.01B, 3.04 and 3.05 assessment of suspension points may be appealed. Points removed from the player or Captain’s record as a result of an appeal process shall not count toward a suspension.
USTA League Suspension Point System, Regulation 7
The USTA League Regulations and Suspension Point System conflates the separate topics of grievances and appeals. In some cases, the language suggests that the authors view grievances as a form of appeal. Consequently, this particular reference from the Suspension Point System back into the USTA League Regulations is a little muddy, but there are no limitations on when a player may file an appeal.
So… if anyone knows a couple of players who might have recently been assessed dubious USTA League suspension points, they should certainly file an appeal of that decision.
- Friend at Court: The Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations, USTA, 2024
- USTA League Suspension Point System 2024, USTA Resource Document, February 6, 2024.
- 2024 USTA League National Regulations, USTA Resource Document, March 14, 2024.
