Recent playoffs for a USTA League in my local area were impacted by rain, which prompted a novel method of shortening the format to determine which team advanced. That prompted me to launch into a top-down analysis of the regulations, protocols, and procedures for when USTA Championships at all levels are rained out. At the same time, this is a fairly innocuous way to explore the delegated authority for USTA organizations to make changes at the local levels, even those that aren’t related to the weather.
This exercise naturally starts with the USTA League National Championships. I have had the good fortune to play on two USTA League teams that advanced to the pinnacle of League competition. As it turns out, both events were impacted by rain because this is how my life works. It genuinely stinks to travel across the country only to have Mother Nature muck things up.
I am mildly disturbed that the USTA League regulations classify rain as an “unforeseen circumstance.” It is a bit absurd when you think about it. Rain is hardly ever unforeseen, and any significant outdoor event must be scheduled with the knowledge that weather could play a role. Planning for rain isn’t a surprise—it’s a necessity.
Unforeseen Circumstances. Should any situation occur, which could potentially result in invalid matches or the postponement, rescheduling, or cancellation of a National Championship, a committee composed of the Tournament Director, National staff and National League Committee member(s) will determine the best course of action. This may include, but not be limited to, changes to the format, number of matches, and scoring. In certain extreme situations, National Co-Champions may be awarded. Sections may add additional language to their regulations or Championship Procedures to cover similar unforeseen circumstances.
2025 USTA National League Regulations, Regulation 2.03O.
When the skies open up and rain impacts play at the USTA League National Championships, the National Championship committee is authorized and empowered to determine the best course of action. They are explicitly authorized to change the format, number of matches, and scoring.
In 2022, at my team’s 55+ 9.0 USTA League National Championships, the tournament organizers made a preemptive announcement mid-day that all matches starting at 3:00 that afternoon would switch to no-ad short sets. It had not rained at that point. I thought the decision was premature at the time since there was less than a 50% chance of rain. Additionally, we were playing on clay, which stays playable under moderate amounts of precipitation. In retrospect, it was a good decision because it poured later in the afternoon.
In 2018, my 40+ team made it to Championship Sunday at the USTA League National Championships in Las Vegas, and it drizzled all morning, forcing a delayed start. (This is where I should probably concede that it might be legitimately unforeseen under those circumstances because who expects rain in a desert?) In any case, we eventually got both matches in. If I recall correctly, we played no ad scoring but full sets. It was a long time ago.
Per USTA League Regulations at the National level, if it had rained all day, I think the USTA would have declared the event a washout with no champions conferred. If that had occurred with two teams already advanced to the finals, per the regulation, it seems likely that National Co-Champions would have been declared.
The USTA League National Regulations delegate the authority for each Section to add additional language to their regulations or Championship Procedures to cover similar unforeseen circumstances, such as rain. Tomorrow, I will explore what my home Section of Texas has put on record for such contingencies. As it turns out, not completing the Sectional Championship isn’t an option because each Section must certify a Champion that advances to Nationals.
That potentially opens a can of worms.
- 2025 USTA League National Regulations, USTA Resource Document, April 14, 2024.
- 2024 USTA League National Championships Handbook, USTA Published Document, viewed September 11, 2025.
