What is Endorsement? Endorsement is the Section’s approval of a junior player to play National Events based on ranking and meeting the section’s endorsement requirements. The draws for the USTA's Hard Court Nationals, Clay Court Nationals, Spring Nationals, Winter Nationals and Summer National Team events are limited and are based on the standings lists at the end of a prescribed segment.

In the Southwest Section, the schedule is broken down into 3 segments. Each segment has a date range in which tournament results will be used to calculate the Points per Round for a player. All players who have one win in an eligible tournament and accumulate points will appear on the endorsement list. Below you will find more information on each endorsement segment.

The USTA National Junior Tournament Schedule includes National Championships, National Opens, regular national tournaments and summer national team events. This includes four major tournaments called the National Championships. These top tier events – Spring (Easter Bowl), Clay Courts, Hard Courts, and Winter – each have 12, 14, 16, and 18 age categories. Players gain access into Nationals by endorsement through sectional endorsement OR a top three finish in the preceding National Open OR being on Top16 List OR as an endorsed alternate.

Each of the 17 Sections of the USTA has an exact, guaranteed quota for every National Championship based on the number of enrolled juniors in the section in proportion to the rest of the USTA junior membership. The following are USTA National events that require sectional endorsement and the minimum number of quota spots held by the Southwest Section:

National Hard Court Championships 128 12’s 2

National Clay Court Championships 128 12’s 2

National Clay Court Championships 192 14, 16, 18’s 2

National Hard Court Championships 192 14, 16, 18’s 2

National Winter Championships 128 12, 14, 16, 18’s 2

National Spring Championships 128 12, 14, 16, 18’s 2

All National Championship events and National Opens require online registration (TennisLink). Enter online at www.usta.com.

The Southwest Section will endorse all players with at least one win and accrued points in the event that our players can gain entry via there seeding/selection list standing as an alternate or by filling a remaining vacancy. This list is used to fill in remaining spots in the draw not filled by sectional quotas, wildcards and national opens. All alternates are ordered based on the national seeding/selection list. The draws for these tournaments are made a week in advance. Alternates will be informed shortly thereafter. Often, alternates are accepted after player selection has been made and/or at the last minute to fill spots resulting from last minute withdrawals.

When you accept entry to one of the National tournaments or Team events, it is your responsibility to appear. If you drop out before or after the entry deadline, notify Eric Mitchell immediately.

Waiver Policy

Since ranking and endorsement lists are calculated using Points per Round, there are no waivers.

National Opens are held prior to each National Championship. Each National Open includes four 64 player draws held in four locations to help ease the cost of travel, but players can apply to any venue they choose. Players are accepted to National Opens according to the USTA National Selection/Seeding List based on match play in the last 12 months period. National Opens serve as national level competition and a qualifier to the next National Championship. The top 3 places in a National Open qualify for the next National Championships.

Each section fields team for summer national competition. Below are the different teams that will be fielded.

12 Zonal Team Championships 12 Boys/12 Girls Top 12 that apply

14 Zonal Team Championships 6 Boys/6 Girls Top 6 ranked that apply

16 Intersectional’s Championships 4 Boys/4 Girls Top 4 ranked that apply

16 Zonal Team Championships 6 Boys/6 Girls Next 6 16's that apply

Boy’s 18 National Team Champ’s 6 or 7 Boys Top ranked that apply

Girl’s 18 National Team Champ’s 6 Girls Top ranked that apply

• In most cases, a player will only play one team event per summer.

• The lineup for singles play will be based on the player's singles endorsement standing only.

• The USTA Southwest Section provides a coach for the team.

• More information will be sent in April to prospective players.

Summer National Team events selection will be based on a combined ranking during the summer endorsement segment. This combined ranking will use 100% of a player's singles points and 25% of a player's doubles points. The best five (5) tournament results during the summer segment count towards this selection.

Endorsement Information Sheet and Packets

Endorsement packets include information/entry forms for the team events. It is advised that you return your completed team entry forms complete with fees to the Eric Mitchell at the Southwest Junior Closed to avoid missing the deadline. It is highly recommended that you send your entry and money certified or priority mail anytime thereafter. Special note: While our quota is 2 for National Surface Championships and varies for team events, the number of packets distributed will vary by age group.

Endorsement Segments

2009 Winter Endorsement Checklist - 3/21/2009 through 11/29/2009
For 2 spots in each age group in the Winter National Championships, a player's best five (5) tournaments played during the segment will be used to determine his/her endorsement standing. A player's combined ranking will use 100% of the player's singels points and 25% of the player's doubles points. Those five tournaments may count different for singles and doubles.