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Let’s Play 3

On By Teresa Merklin

This weekend the “Unplugged” themed posts continues to expand on points of feedback that I recently submitted to the USTA Adult Competition Committee. (ACC) A lot of women in the Senior Tennis Community are currently doing the same thing. The declining participation in tournament tennis coupled with recent USTA “innovations” exacerbating the problem has brought us to a precipice. Point #4 advocates that the scoring format in the main draw for National Level 1 (and really 2, and 3) tournaments should always be a full 3 sets.

Competing at the Highest Levels of Tennis

On By Teresa Merklin

I recently submitted an email with lengthy feedback and observations specific to National Level Senior Women’s Tennis to the USTA Adult Competition Committee. (ACC) The talking points contained in that message echo themes that have appeared on this site over the past two years. When playing the Westwood Senior Championships a couple of weeks ago, I was struck at how pervasive the concerns over the impacts of recent tournament changes and implementations are within the Senior Women’s Tennis community.

Rankings Fragmentation and the Calendar

On By Teresa Merklin

The USTA Adult and Family Tournaments, Ranking, and Sanctioning Regulations document specifies use of a player’s “best” 6 tournament performances for rankings calculations. I recently observed that competing in 6 tournaments to maximize ranking point opportunities requires players to dedicate approximately 12% of their yearly available weekend time to tournament play. As it turns out, that is actually only the tip of the iceberg.

Excuse Me- Your Points-Per-Round is Showing

On By Teresa Merklin

The USTA’s point-per-round philosophy is readily apparent when examining the ranking points tables for single group round robin tournaments. The fact that tables is plural isn’t a typo. Two tables were in effect for different time periods in 2021. Both the original tables and the changes that were made reflects a misguided dedication to a points-per-round philosophy. The USTA is making the problem much harder to solve than it needs to be.