League Rules

League rules are meant to encourage fair play and good sportsmanship. UTR Tennis League “the league” do not wish to impose on your match with our rules when both parties agree to play alternative format.  It is when the parties can't agree that we have rules.  Members agree whatever format you choose to play, you accept any and all risks, and will hold the league harmless for any incident arising from league matches.  The league reserves the right to terminate the membership of any member, with or without cause, if it in the league’s sole determination, the letter or the spirit of the rules herein have been abused.

"Free Play" starts Winter'22 for Members who played all matches

UTR League wants to encourage all Members to play their matches.  As such, we have instituted the 75% Completion Rule (see below) to be eligible to play next season.  This is the stick to encourage our Members to play.  We have decided to add the Carrot.  If Members completed all matches in their group by the end of the current season, they may be entitled to "Free Play" the following season at No Charge.  A few conditions for "Free Play".

  1. Free Play is only valid for the following season.  Free play can't be used for future season(s).
  2. Free Play does not apply if the Member is already on Free Play.  You still have to Pay to Play, but for two consecutive seasons instead of one season.
  3. Once Members are qualified for Free Play in the current season, they will automatically enrolled for next season.
  4. Free Play is applicable to Singles.  Doubles are not eligible.

Pro Set for Groups UTR < 2

For younger players UTR less than 2, Pro Set match in lieu of two out of three sets is the standard format and encouraged. Pro Set is won by first player to 8 games win by two games. 7-point tiebreaker at 7-7. If press for time for the higher groups, this match format can be used. Only yellow balls are allowed.

SELF-POST on myUTR

Starting Spring 2021 season, winners will SELF-POST scores on myUTR.  Winner will continue to send scores to admin@utrleague.com so your scores will be posted on this website.  Because you are self-posting your scores to myUTR, I can’t correct any mistakes you make.  So you must be absolutely sure the score is accurate, not a duplicate, and the name of your opponent is correct.  John Smith is a common name so if you played John Smith, you need to make sure you have the right “John Smith”.  If posted scores are accurate, Opponents are required to confirm on myUTR.  
Below are the rules for SELF-POST
Winner will self-post on myUTR
Winner will also send score to admin@utrleague for posting on UTR League website
Winner must verify score with opponent after each match, before you leave the court.
Scores must be Self-Post and sent to UTR League within 24 hours of match (copied to your opponent).
Your opponent will get a notification from UTR after winner Self-Post
Your opponent will have the right to self-post to UTR outside the 24-hour window.
If you are unsure how to SELF-POST, in the Subject line to admin@utrleague.com as below
B08 Clara Shubin def B07 Alina Stephan 6-4 6-2 HELP
HOW TO SELF-POST
Goto app.myutr.com and SIGN IN as your player (email and password is required)
Click "Circle with +" at the top right hand corner of the webpage
Click Post score in the dropdown menu
Your player is auto populated.
Add Player for your opponent
Enter the score
If 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of 3rd set, the 3rd set score is 1-0 and then you can enter the tiebreaker score.

COVID Protocol (Suspended)

Your safety is our #1 priority.  If at any time, you feel unsafe due to circumstances beyond your control, you have the right to stop play without penalty.  Some of other expectations are
  • 75% Completion Rule will be suspended until further notice.  You should not feel compelled to play if you are uncomfortable or unwell.  
  • You are no longer restricted to playing in your own groups.  You may request matches from players in adjacent groups.  Match results will be posted on UTR.
  • Matches will be harder to schedule.  Please be patient and be sensitive to the needs of your opponents.
  • Expect smaller groups with fewer players.  This is the reality of Covid-19.
  • See our Physical Separation Guidelines.

Physical Separation Guidelines (Suspended)

UTR League has put into effect new social distancing measures for the safety of our members. By following these guidelines you will reduce the risks to both yourself and your opponent.

  • Players should wave in lieu of handshake at the start and end of the match
  • Players should sit at separate benches if available
  • Players should refrain from talking
    • If necessary please be at least 6 feet apart when talking
  • Note new rules for providing new balls for matches
  • Spectators/Parents must be outside the play court
  • There is no coaching during the entire duration of the match
  • Gloves and masks are recommended during the match
    • Do not touch your face at any time
    • Wash your hands after the match

Verified UTR vs. UTR

All UTR League matches count toward UTR not Verified UTR since there are no official present at the time of the match. Matches that count toward Verified UTR include:

  • Professional ATP, WTA, and ITF events
  • Federation sanctioned junior matches
  • ITF junior matches
  • Sanctioned NCAA and ITA college matches (team matches and tournaments)
  • Official high school team matches and tournaments
  • Sanctioned adult league and tournament matches (USTA, etc.)
  • UTR Verified Events on the UTR platform

Self-reported UTR

UTR League prefers to use UTR rating instead of the Verified UTR, but we can accept either.

On the registration form, you are asked to input your player's UTR.  This is self-reported and UTR League is not going to independently confirm its accuracy.  But be honest.  If you report a higher UTR, your player may have a harder time with his/her matches.  Report too low, and your player will not be challenged by his/her matches.

League Director reserves the right to modify self-reported UTR to player's projected UTR as reported by UTR, or player's UTR from other sources, including but not limited to coaches, teammates, and other players familiar with the subject player.

No Changing Groups

Once published, all groups are final. Your UTR at the time of close of registration is used to make groups. If a player is unrated please email me your skill level, tournament experience, years playing tennis, and if you have played matches against players who have UTR.  Your coach is also good guide to estimate your UTR.

75% Completion Rule -

Starting the Fall of 2022 season, all players are required to meet the 75% Completion Rule to play next season.  That means our players can only miss two matches in the assigned group to continue next season.  This rule is to encourage players who want to play tennis. If you have not completed 75% of your matches by the end of the season, you may be barred from playing in league the following season.

Additional info on 75% Completion Rule and Forfeits

Forfeits do not change your UTR. Their purpose is to help you meet the 75% rule which will determine your eligibility for playing the next season. Therefore, Forfeits should only be used as a last resort for non-responsive players.

Submit Match Scores

The winner of the match will submit match score within 24 hours to League Director at admin@utrleague.com in format in the SUBJECT line of the e-mail:

A5 Adam Aces def. A7 Larry Love 7-5, 7-6

Members play best 2 out of 3 sets match with all other players in same group. 10-point match tiebreaker in lieu of a full 3rd set is standard format or by mutual agreement of the players.  Please remember to copy your opponents.

Match Locations & Times

Members schedule match times and locations among themselves via e-mail or text. Members must be flexible and not always insist on playing on certain courts or at certain times during the week. A good way to schedule matches is by e-mailing other players in your group for matches 1 or 2 weeks ahead of time.

This league matches are played in neighborhoods centered around Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Poway and Rancho Penasquitos.  If you wish to join this league, please be prepared to play all league matches in these areas.

Coaching

Coaching is only allowed at the end of each set.  Spectators are welcome to watch the match, but from outside of the play court. Spectators are not allowed to interfere with the match in any form. Cheering for your player is allowed.  In fairness to your opponents, cheers should only be in English.  If Spectators are not following these rules, ask your opponent to remind his/her supporters.  After warning, non-compliance is subject to the Three-Strike rule.  

Tennis balls 

Each player will bring a separate new can of balls to the match.  One new can will be opened for the match.  The unopened new can of balls will go to the winner of the match.  Only regulation yellow balls will be used.

Line Call Disputes 

The rule of tennis says if you didn't clearly see the ball landed out of bounds on your side of the court, you must to give your opponent the benefit of the doubt and call the ball in.  If you find your opponent making questionable calls, then you should politely question his/her calls.  If your opponent continues to make bad calls, then you can report him/her to the league.  Line call disputes are not subject to the Three-Strike rule, but can result in forfeit of match results and/or termination of membership.

Three-Strike Rule

If you receive 3 penalty points in any one season, you will not be able to play in the league for the remaining of current season as well as the following season.   

If you are late by 15 minutes, or postpone a match within 24-hours of confirmed match time, your opponent has the option to give you a penalty point.  

A penalty point can be given for unsportsmanlike conduct, which cannot be disputed.  Hitting a ball over the fence after the point is over, is an undisputed unsportsmanlike conduct.  In this case, the offending player shall be given a chance to correct his/her behavior with one warning.  If another undisputed unsportsmanlike conduct happens again, a penalty point can be given.  Only lateness and postponement of match within 24-hours do not require a warning, to receive a penalty point.

Prior to making a request to record a penalty, please make sure you have already notified the other player of your intention to penalize him/her.

Disputes over line calls can be unsportsmanlike conduct, but because of the uncertainty of the dispute (who is right or wrong), a penalty point can not be given by either player.  See the paragraph on Line Call Disputes.

You can only receive one penalty point per match.  Abuse of this rule or giving reciprocal penalty point will not be viewed upon favorably.  In any dispute brought to the attention of League Director for arbitration, members agree to abide by League Director’s sole decision without recourse.  Further escalation may result in termination of league membership. 

Bonus Matches

UTR Tennis League is about providing fewer but higher quality matches to our players.  However, if you are willing and available to play more matches, after completing 75% of your group matches, you may request matches from players in adjacent groups.  Preference is for opponents who have also completed 75% of matches in their groups.

Forfeited Match

Two weeks prior to the end of the season you should already have played all your matches, or scheduled to be played by the end of the season.  If a member have not responded to your request for matches, this is when you can request a forfeit.  A forfeit can not be requested if both parties, in good faith, can not come to an agreement for a time and place to play before the end of the season.  Trying to play all your matches within the last two weeks of the season is not scheduling in good faith and will not be looked upon favorably when requesting a forfeit.   A forfeited match will count as a match played for the other players.  

Before requesting a forfeit, you should have informed your opponents of your intent to forfeit them.  If they remain unresponsive, you may request a forfeit, copied your opponents.  

Withdraw from Current Season 

To prevent being forfeit by other players in your group, you can withdraw from this season.  You are still required to meet the 75% Completion Rule to play the following season.  All matches played this season will still be credited for UTR.  

Members who have not played any matches by the 3rd weekend before the end of the season will automatically be withdrawn from the this season, and will not be eligible to play the next season.