New Year’s Day marks more than just the start of a new calendar and a celebration of fresh beginnings. It is also a special milestone for USTA adult-age division tennis players. Today, adult tennis players who compete in age-based divisions simultaneously “age up” to whatever year they will be on their birthday that falls over the next 12 months. It is probably one of the least understood rules in adult tennis, as it is pretty common to run across a player who believes they can’t compete until after their actual birthday occurrs. For players with birthdays late in the year, that gives up a significant amount of time to compete as the youngest in their new age division.
The age eligibility rule is spelled out in the USTA Regulations and applies to both tournaments and leagues.
USTA Regulation I.G.3.b.ii. – Adult Age Group Divisions: A player, if otherwise eligible, may enter if the player will reach the minimum age by December 31 of the year during which the division is scheduled to start.
USTA Regulation I.G.b.ii
For years, I have psychologically embraced my new USTA age on New Year’s Day. One of the benefits of that is it allows me to sidestep the usual “milestone” drama. For instance, when I turned 50, the Trophy Husband tried to tease me about crossing the big 5-0, but it was a total non-event for me. Thanks to the USTA’s age division rules, I had already been “50” for most of the year before my actual birthday rolled around.
As we enter the New Year, it’s a perfect time for resolutions. Tennis players should resolve to make the most of every opportunity in age division play. Don’t let confusion about Adult age-group eligibility hold you back. So, Happy Birthday! Embrace your USTA age and celebrate the joy of age-group tennis.
