JUNIOR RANKING SYSTEM (NJRS)

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1 NOTE: This document detailing the National Junior Ranking System has been posted on January 19, This document updates the description of the ranking system previously posted in October it corrects the date ranges of match results included on the January, February, March, and April Bonus Point Lists see the section titled "Bonus Points - Rewards for Significant Wins." NATIONAL JUNIOR RANKING SYSTEM (NJRS) The USTA believes it is imperative to have a system that our players can readily comprehend and that encourages them to structure their schedules to address the key elements of player development. After considerable research, the High Performance Division and the Youth Competition and Training Committee have concluded that a version of a points-based ranking system best addresses the specific objectives identified above and the overall goal of helping players reach their potential. By using tiered levels of importance we can weigh our events, assign regulations that help our juniors to compete often, and put the emphasis on advancing through the draw. The simple concept of having a player capable of categorizing an event, determining its level, and understanding the ranking impact of success in that event allows the player to understand what needs to be done. This is an invaluable asset in developing tangible and measurable goals that also help the player s preparation and motivation. The details of the NJRS are outlined below, including ranking tables and point assignments. Doubles rankings have not been addressed in these tables, but a comparable ranking approach to team rankings will be developed and implemented in Points Per Round NJRS. Included in the new ranking proposal is the plan to discontinue the Monthly Singles Rankings as produced today and move to year-end national singles rankings. The national singles rankings based on a calendar year will be consistent with the current practice used for national junior doubles rankings. Annual rankings will provide players, coaches and parents a clear vision to evaluate their development as well as progress toward meeting performance and outcome goals. We will continue to produce and publish National Standings Lists, formerly identified as National Selection and Seeding Lists, on a monthly basis as is done today, but the lists will be calculated using the new points-based ranking logic utilizing the past 12 months of player results. We also will use the points-based ranking logic to generate the National Championship Selection List (formerly the Super National Selection List) three times a year. Each player s annual ranking will be based on the accumulation of points for winning rounds ( Points Per Round ) and having wins over top 100 players ( Bonus Points ) at National Ranking Tournaments during the calendar year. The total number of points a player earns during the year is determined as follows: Points Earned at 8 Best National Ranking Tournaments ** + Bonus Points Earned at BG 18 ITF Events on the National Junior Tournament Schedule = Total Ranking Points ** Points Earned include Points Per Round from the Point Ranking Tables below PLUS any Bonus Points earned at the tournament. These Bonus Points are attached to the event at which they are earned. If a tournament is not among a player s best eight tournaments, neither the Points Per Round nor the Bonus Points for that event will count toward the player s ranking point total. 1

2 Players must accumulate at least 200 ranking points during the calendar year in order to earn a yearend ranking. A list of the National Ranking Tournaments is in the table under "National Ranking Tournaments and Tournament Levels" below. Because 12 sectional events are designated National Ranking Tournaments, it is possible for a player to earn a national ranking by playing only in sectional events. Specifics of the Points Per Round NJRS include: A player must win a round to receive any points for the tournament. The points tables that appear below are based on draws as large as 256 players. In draws smaller than 256 players, players do not receive any points until they have won a round. Byes do not qualify as wins. Withdrawals and walkovers qualify as wins for the advancing player and earn Points Per Round, but do not earn Bonus Points. Retirements qualify as wins for the advancing player and earn Points Per Round and, if eligible, Bonus Points. A player who advances because of a default that takes place before the commencement of the first point in the match or because the opponent is disqualified shall receive Points Per Round for advancing, but shall not receive any Bonus Points. A player who advances because of a default that takes place after the commencement of the first point in the match shall receive Points Per Round for advancing and, if eligible, Bonus Points. A player who is defaulted from a tournament for code violations under the Point Penalty System or misconduct forfeits any points accumulated during the tournament, including both Points Per Round and Bonus Points. Players defaulted in singles only lose points accumulated for play in the singles main and feed-in championship draws. The National Standings Lists will be limited to players who remain age eligible for play in a division. National Standings Lists are calculated using the 8 Best National Ranking Tournaments for each player during the previous 12-month period. A National Standings List for a division will include all age eligible players who have played at least one event in the division and have accumulated at least 100 points. Points earned in a higher age division tournament count towards a player s standing in the age division being calculated as well as in the age division of the tournament. This means that a 12 year old playing some in the 12s, but primarily in the 14s, occasionally in the 18s and not at all in the 16s will appear on the 12s, 14s and 18s lists (provided the player has met the 100 minimum point requirement for each division), but not on the 16s. It also means that a 12 year old playing only in the 16s and occasionally in the 18s will appear on the 16s and 18s lists (provided the player has met the 100 minimum point requirement for each division), but not on the 12s or 14s lists. Tiebreak Rules for National Standings Lists: 2

3 a. A player whose best event has the highest number of points, second best, third best, etc. through eight events. b. Total Bonus Points earned in all events played during the computation period. c. Best random draw number The final rankings for a junior age division shall include all players who have been age eligible for play in the division at any time during the year and who have accumulated at least 200 points in the division. Only points earned in the division will count towards ranking in that division. Players may be ranked in more than one age division if they have been age eligible in more than one division during the year and have met the minimum point requirement for each age division. National Ranking Tournaments and Tournament Levels. The Youth Competition and Training Committee and the High Performance Division will determine the appropriate levels of the tournaments considered for national singles rankings. Below are the leveling of tournaments for Level Level 1 Level 3 Bonus Point Only Events National Ranking Tournament USTA National Championship Tournaments (currently named USTA Super National Championships) USTA National Open Tournaments USTA Boys 18 Junior Davis Cup Championships USTA Girls 18 Junior Fed Cup Championships USTA BG 16 Intersectional Team Championships USTA BG 16, 14, and 12 Zone Team Championships USTA BG 18 Interscholastic Championships (East/West) BG 16, 14, and 12 ITF Events on the National Junior Tournament Schedule (Note: The BG 16, 14, and 12 Orange Bowl, Eddie Herr and International Winter Championships are the only tournaments currently in this category.) Other non-itf events on the National Junior Tournament Schedule Sectional Championships 4 designated by each Sectional Association Other Sectional Tournaments - 8 designated by each Sectional Association BG 18 ITF Events on the National Junior Tournament Schedule, including the BG 18 International Junior Hard Court Championships, BG 18 International Junior Grass Court Championships, US Open, Wimbledon, French Open, and Australian Open Relative Weights of Tournament Levels. The Youth Competition and Training Committee and the High Performance Division will determine the relative weights of rounds won at each of the National Ranking Tournaments. On the following pages are the point tables for

4 Main Draw with a Feed-in Championship through Quarterfinals Points Per Round (Draw in which losers through the quarterfinals are fed into the Feed-in Championship for example, this table will be used for BG 18, 16, and 14 USTA National Championship Tournaments. The Feedin Championship is considered part of the tournament with which it is connected. Points earned by players losing through the quarterfinals in the Main Draw are determined by the round they reach in the Feed-in Championship.) Player Result Level 1 (30 x ) (15 x ) Level 3 (10 x ) (5 x ) Champion nd Place rd Place th Place/SF** FIC Champion FIC Finalist FIC SF FIC QF from the QF of the MD) FIC QF Qualifying FIC R16 from the R16 of the MD) FIC R16 Qualifying FIC R32 from the R32 of the MD) FIC R32 Qualifying FIC R64 from the R64 of the MD) FIC R64 Qualifying FIC R128 from the R128 of the MD) FIC R128 Qualifying FICR256 from the R256 of the MD) ** If there is no playoff for 3rd and 4th place, the semifinalists will receive points in this row. 4

5 Main Draw with a Feed-in Championship through Semifinals Points Per Round (Draw in which losers through the semifinals are fed into the Feed-in Championship. For example, this table will be used for the USTA National Open Tournaments in 2004** The Feed-in Championship is considered part of the tournament with which it is connected. Points earned by players losing through the semifinals in the Main Draw are determined by the round they reach in the Feed-in Championship.) Player Result Level 1 (30 x ) (15 x ) Level 3 (10 x ) (5 x ) Champion nd Place FIC Champion FIC Finalist FIC SF from the SF of the MD) FIC SF Qualifying FIC QF from the QF of the MD) FIC QF Qualifying FIC R16 from the R16 of the MD) FIC R16 Qualifying FIC R32 from the R32 of the MD) FIC R32 Qualifying FIC R64 from the R64 of the MD) FIC R64 Qualifying FIC R128 from the R128 of the MD) FIC R128 Qualifying FIC R256 from the R256 of the MD) ** The USTA has amended is regulations to reduce the number of players that will qualify from each USTA National Open Tournament in to the following USTA National Championship Tournament. Beginning in 2004, the number of players that will qualify from each USTA National Open Tournament will be three, for a total of 12 players qualifying from all four of the immediately preceding USTA National Open Tournaments. 5

6 Main Draw with Modified Consolation Tournament Points Per Round, Including First Match Losers Consolation, First Round Losers Consolation, and Compass Draw (This table will be used, for example, in BG 12 USTA National Championship Tournaments.) Player Result Level 1 (30 x ) (15 x ) Level 3 (10 x ) (5 x ) Champion nd Place rd Place th Place/SF** Quarterfinalist Reached R Reached R Reached R Reached R Reached R Points Per Round Earned for Each Consolation Round Won ** If there is no playoff for 3rd and 4th place, the semifinalists will receive points in this row. In Compass Draw events only, the East Draw earns main draw Points Per Round; all other directions and Gold Draw earn consolation Points Per Round. -6-

7 Main Draw with No Consolation Points Per Round (Note: There are currently no Level 1 or tournaments that will use this point table.) Player Result Level 1 (30 x ) (15 x ) Level 3 (10 x ) (5 x ) Champion nd Place rd Place th Place/SF Quarterfinalist Reached R Reached R Reached R Reached R Reached R ** If there is no playoff for 3rd and 4th place, the semifinalists will receive points in this row. Team Events with Round Robins Points Per Round (This table is used, for example, at the following tournaments: Zonals, Intersectionals, Junior Fed Cup and Junior Davis Cup. There is no Level 1 or Level 3 tournament that will use this point table.) Player Position on Team (10 x ) (4 x ) Position # Position # Position # Position # Position # Maximum number of points that can be earned at event (points earned by winning up to 5 rounds plus Bonus Points) Bonus Points Bonus Points 25 + Bonus Points Players in each of the positions receive the number of points per win that appear in this table. For example, if Position #1 player on the team has four wins at a tournament, the player will earn 7

8 200 points (50 points x 4 wins). Players also can earn Bonus Points according to the Bonus Point table below. Tournaments with Qualifying Rounds Covered in a Single Sanction No Points Per Round will be earned in the qualifying rounds of tournaments when the qualifying draw and main draw are covered in a single sanction. However, in Level 1 through 5 tournaments, Bonus Points will accumulate for the tournament and will be attached to the tournament at which they are earned. Additionally, American juniors winning matches against other American juniors in qualifying rounds at ITF 18-and-under events will receive Bonus Points that will be added to the player's total points earned at the player s best eight tournaments. See "Bonus Points - Rewards for Significant Wins" below. Bonus Points Rewards for Significant Wins. Bonus Points are earned at National Ranking Tournaments for significant wins over top 100 players according to the table below. Bonus Points are earned for wins in both main draw and qualifying draw matches. At Level 1 through 5 tournaments, Bonus Points are attached to the tournament at which they are earned. If a tournament total is not among a player s best eight tournaments, neither the Points Per Round nor the Bonus Points will count toward the player s ranking point total. Additionally, American juniors winning matches against other American juniors in the main draw and qualifying rounds at ITF 18-and-under events on the National Junior Tournament Schedule (including the US Open, Wimbledon, French Open, and Australian Open) will receive Bonus Points in the 18s division according to the Bonus Points table below. These Bonus Points will be awarded independently of the best eight tournaments and will be added to the player s total points earned in the player s best eight tournaments. This applies for both the National Standings List and year-end rankings. Standing of Player Defeated ** Bonus Points Earned for Significant Win Top #11 through #20 50 #21 through #50 25 #51 through #75 10 #76 through #100 5 ** Player standings are determined by the Bonus Points Lists which will be published on the last day of each month and these lists apply to tournaments having a start date during the month following the publication. The following table lists the publishing dates for this Bonus Points Lists, the match results included in each and the dates of tournament play for earning points based on these lists: 8

9 Bonus Points Lists Date Published On: Notes: Match Results Included between: List used for Earning Points for Events Starting between: Apr. 15, 2003 Apr. 15, 2002 & Apr. 14, 2003 May 1 & May 31, 2003 May 15, 2003 May 15, 2002 & May 14, 2003 Jun. 1 & Jun. 30, 2003 Jun. 15, 2003 Jun. 15, 2002 & Jun. 14, 2003 Jul 1 & Jul. 31, 2003 July 15, 2003 Jul. 15, 2002 & Jul. 14, 2003 Aug. 1 & Aug. 31, 2003 Aug. 15, 2003 Aug. 15, 2002 & Aug. 14, 2003 Sep. 1 & Sep. 30, 2003 Sep. 15, 2003 Sep. 15, 2002 & Sep. 14, 2003 Oct. 1 & Oct. 31, 2003 Oct. 15, 2003 Oct. 15, 2002 & Oct. 14, 2003 Nov. 1 & Nov. 30, 2003 Nov. 15, 2003 Nov. 15, 2002 & Nov. 14, 2003 Dec. 1, & Dec. 31, 2003 Dec. 15, 2003 Dec. 15, 2002 & Dec. 14, 2003 Jan. 1 & Jan. 31, 2004 Jan. 31, 2004 May 1, 2003 & Dec. 31, 2003 Feb. 1 & Feb. 29, 2004 Feb. 29, 2004 May 1, 2003 & Jan. 31, 2004 Mar. 1 & Mar. 31, 2004 Mar. 31, 2004 May 1, 2003 & Feb. 29, 2004 Apr. 1 & Apr. 30, 2004 Apr. 30, 2004 May 1, 2003 & Mar. 31, 2004 May 1 & May 31, 2004 May 31, 2004 May 1, 2003 & Apr. 30, 2004 Jun. 1 & Jun. 30, 2004 Jun. 30, 2004 Jun. 1, 2003 & May 31, 2004 Jul. 1 & Jul. 31, 2004 Jul. 31, 2004 Jul. 1, 2003 & Jun 30, 2004 Aug. 1 & Aug. 31, 2004 Aug. 31, 2004 Aug. 1, 2003 & Jul. 31, 2004 Sep. 1 & Sep. 30, 2004 Sep. 30, 2004 Sep. 1, 2003 & Aug. 31, 2004 Oct. 1 & Oct. 31, 2004 Oct. 31, 2004 Oct. 1, 2003 & Sep. 30, 2004 Nov. 1 & Nov. 30, 2004 Nov. 30, 2004 Nov. 1, 2003 & Oct. 31, 2004 Dec. 1 & Dec. 31, 2004 Dec. 31, 2004 Dec. 1, 2003 & Nov. 30, 2004 Jan. 1 & Jan. 31, Lists published April 15, 2003 through December 15, 2003 are determined by the STAR Ranking System the same as the Monthly Seeding/Selection Lists. 2. Lists published January 31, 2004 and after are determined by the new Points Per Round Ranking System. The following examples illustrate how Bonus Points are calculated and applied to a player s point total: Player #1 defeats Players #15, #24, and #30: Player #1 receives 100 total Bonus Points and points are added to Player #1 s total points for the tournament (50 points + 25points + 25 points = 100 Bonus Points). The total ranking points earned at this tournament are only included in Player #1 s year-end total if the event is one of Player #1 s best eight tournaments. 9

10 Player #100 defeats Players #19 and #48: Player #100 receives 75 Bonus Points and points are added to Player #100 s total points for the tournament (50 points + 25 points = 75 Bonus Points). The total ranking points earned at this event are only included in Player #100 s year-end total if the tournament is one of Player #100 s best eight tournaments. Player #5 defeats Player #1 at an ITF 18-and-under event: Player #5 receives 75 Bonus Points. The Bonus Points are added to Player #5 s total points for the ranking year. TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION Below is a timeline for implementation of the NJRS. Because the NJRS was approved on April 15, 2003, and implementation begins on January 1, 2004, only eight months of data will be collected for use when the NJRS goes into effect. As noted on the timeline below, the first National Championship Selection List and the first National Standings Lists will use player results from May 1, 2003, forward. April 15, 2003 April 23, 2003 April 16 to May 30, 2003 May 30 to Oct. 1, 2003 Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2003 Dec. 31, 2003 Jan. 15, 2004 Jan. 15, 2004 Dec. 31, 2004 Approval of Proposals by USTA Executive Committee Release communiqué to Players on new National Junior Ranking System Ongoing communication plans to educate players, parents, and coaches will be implemented throughout the remainder of 2003 Build National Junior Ranking System (NJRS) Logic Computer Program Test Points-Based Ranking System Finalize detailed procedures manual for NJRS Discontinue usage of STAR algorithm at national level Publish first National Championship Selection List for USTA Spring National Championships utilizing eight months of player results (May 1, 2003 to January 15, 2004) Begin publishing monthly National Standings List (utilizing player results from May 1, 2003, forward) Publish first NJRS Annual Singles and Doubles Rankings 10