USA Team Tennis can be used as an introduction into competitive tennis. Your tennis professional can advise you when you are ready to begin playing on a team. In USA Team Tennis, the team concept emphasizes fun, fitness, and friends. All levels of play are offered from first match experience (must be able to serve and keep score) to the highest level of supers. Divisions include 11 & under, 14 & under and 18 & under. Matches are played on Sunday afternoons and most area tennis clubs and tennis centers offer team tennis, if you are looking for a team in the Dallas area, call the Dallas Professional Tennis Association at (972) 931-9711. A USTA (United States Tennis Association) card is required. This can be purchased online at www.usta.com for $18.00 annually.

For players living in the Dallas area DPTA Tournaments (Dallas Professional Tennis Association) are a great introduction to tournament tennis. These are one day tournaments held throughout the metroplex for non-qualified players (players who have not reached USTA Texas Section Championship Level). Participants play an 8 game pro-set, regular scoring, and are guaranteed at least two matches. For more information and the current Junior Circuit Schedule visit the DPTA website at www.dptatennis.org - USTA membership required. The DPTA also offers sanctioned champ/super challengers for qualified players.

The USTA is divided into seventeen sections. Most sections are comprised of several states but due to the size of the state, Texas is recognized as one on the seventeen sections. The Texas Section junior tournament program consists of three levels: ZAT Level, Championship Level and Super Championship Level.

ZAT TOURNAMENTS (Zonal Placement Tournaments) A total of 5 ZAT tournaments are held each month. Players no longer need to compete in their zone/region. Players can only compete in 1 ZAT tournament per month. ZAT tournaments are for unqualified players (players who have not reached Championship level or above). A player must earn 65 points in ZAT tournaments to reach the Championship Level. For more information on ZAT Tournaments please visit www.texas.usta.com

CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL – The Championship Level is for players who have qualified through the ZAT level. At this point a player can get a Texas State Ranking. Players can compete in any Championship Major Zone offered but can only compete in 1 Championship Major Zone per month.

SUPER CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL – The Super Championship Level is for players who have qualified through the Championship level by earning 65 Championship Major Zone points, or have been placed in the Super Championship level based upon USTA national standings, ranking in an international federation, or ITF ranking.

NATIONAL LEVEL – The top players from each age division in Super Championship will be eligible for Super Nationals. The number of players from each section who qualify for national competition is based on year-end junior membership in each USTA section.

ITF (International Tennis Federation)– Worldwide Junior Ranking – Acceptance is based on International Tennis Federation Ranking; most tournaments have qualifiers that normally have openings. There are currently 17 ITF junior events held in the United States and 304 total in the world. Tournaments are divided into Grade A, Grade B, Grade C and Grades 1-5. Grade A events offer the most ranking points, the Junior US Open and the Orange Bowl are examples of the highest level ITF tournament. Grade 5 events offer the least ranking points and should be used as an introduction to the ITF Junior Circuit. For more information on ITF tournaments please visit their website at www.itftennis.com

USTA PRO CIRCUIT EVENTS – (Future and Challengers) – The USTA conducts 96 events just below the main tour (ATP and WTA) Tour. These events are held for upcoming players who are beginning professional level tennis. Players at this level are trying to earn points to acquire a worldwide ranking.

ATP & WTA TOUR EVENTS – Top 200 players in the world. These players all have a N.T.R.P. rating of 7.0 The highest level of professional tour events are the Grand Slams: Wimbledon, US Open, French Open and Australian Open.