FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a community tennis association (CTA)?
According to the USTA, it is “any incorporated, geographically defined, not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that supports or provides programs which promote and develop the growth of tennis.” Ideally, the CTA is registered with the USTA and strives to work with with all entities in the community that provide tennis programs and services, including city and county governments and local clubs in order to coordinate and maintain these programs and services, guaranteeing that they are open and accessible to all.

How do I join the Murfreesboro Tennis Association (MTA)?
If you are a participant in one of our programs or leagues, you can join by submitting your membership information and payment directly to your program coordinator. You may also join by going to our Membership page on this website and mailing your information and payment to the address specified. Membership covers one calendar year, and may be renewed annually beginning October 1st for the next calendar year.

Why should I join the MTA?
The Murfreesboro Tennis Association is registered with the USTA and TTA, which helps us to keep you up to date on tennis happenings in the area. Membership in the MTA is not required to participate in any of our activities. Benefits sometimes include league and clinic discounts, and are currently being expanded to include discounts at several local businesses and access to player information. We are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. Your membership supports the growth of our association and assures that we will be able to continue to provide the programs we currently provide and to continue adding new programs. Some of the many things your membership dollars go towards are insurance and website fees, balls, food and supplies for our parties and activities, and training for our volunteers.

How do I determine my level, or NTRP rating?
The National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) is the official system used by the USTA to determine a player's level. The general characteristics below can help you determine your own level.

General Characteristics of Various NTRP Playing Levels
1.5
You have limited experience and are working primarily on getting the ball in play.
2.0
You lack court experience and your strokes need developing. You are familiar with the basic positions for singles and doubles play.
2.5
You are learning to judge where the ball is going, although your court coverage is limited. You can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.
3.0
You are fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but are not comfortable with all strokes and lack execution when trying for directional control, depth, or power. Your most common doubles formation is one-up, one-back.
3.5
You have achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but need to develop depth and variety. You exhibit more aggressive net play, have improved court coverage and are developing teamwork in doubles.
4.0
You have dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate-paced shots. You can use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success and occasionally force errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.
4.5
You have developed your use of power and spin and can handle pace. You have sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and attempt to vary game plan according to your opponents. You can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. You tend to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.
5.0
You have good shot anticipation and frequently have an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. You can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys. You can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overhead smashes, and have good depth and spin on most second serves.
5.5
You have mastered power and/or consistency as a major weapon. You can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation.
6.0 to 7.0
You have had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior and collegiate levels and have obtained a sectional and/or national ranking.
7.0
You are a world-class player.

What is a Combo League?
Combo Leagues are established by the USTA and run at the local level by volunteer league coordinators. Match play consists of doubles only on teams consisting of players of more than one level. Each team is made up of 8 - 10 players, either all women or all men. A combo match consists of 3 doubles matches. Each pair of doubles registers as either a combined 5.0 (two 2.5 players), 5.5 (a 2.5 and a 3.0 player), 6.5 (a 3.0 and a 3.5 player), 7.5 (a 3.5 and a 4.0 player), etc. Each team member must be at least 19 years old and be a USTA member.

What is a Tri-level League?
Tri-level leagues were first offered by the USTA in 2007, and are spreading across the country. Match play consists of 3 courts of doubles, with each court consisting of 2 players of the same NTRP level, and all three courts being a different level. Each team is made up of players of three different but consecutive NTRP levels. The concept facilitates team play for higher levels of players who often have difficulty finding enough players to make a team. The options are:
Adult Teams (19 yrs. and older, all men or all women)
2.5, 3.0, 3.5
3.0, 3.5, 4.0
3.5, 4.0, 4.5
Senior Teams (50 yrs. and older, all men or all women)
2.5, 3.0, 3.5
3.0, 3.5, 4.0
3.5, 4.0, 4.5

What is a Flex League?
Flex Leagues are established by the USTA and run at the local level by volunteer league coordinators. The format groups players of similar ability together in an organized seven to ten week league that allows participants to schedule matches on their own terms. Flex Leagues can be either singles or doubles, all organized by NTRP ratings, ensuring fair and competitive matches. What makes Flex Leagues so unique is that you play your matches when it’s convenient for you, as either player can take responsibility for setting up a match in any given week. That allows players to compete at a time and a date that’s mutually convenient.

What are Senior and Super Senior Leagues?
A USTA Senior League consists of players that have reached 50 years of age prior to or during the calendar year in which they play their first local league match. Players on a Super Senior League must have reached 60 years of age prior to or during the calendar year in which they play their first local league match. Each team consists of a minimum of 6 players of the same gender. The team match format consists of 3 doubles matches, with the team winning the majority of those 3 individual matches being awarded one team point. The levels of league play are 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5.

How do I find a tournament?
To find a USTA sanctioned adult or junior tournament, go to the following link: http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/Schedule/Search.aspx and select the criteria for your search. A suggestion for first-time junior tournament players is to try the novice tournaments, which only accept players with no ranking or a low ranking. To find a novice tournament, enter "novice" in the keyword space.

How do I join the United States Tennis Association (USTA)?
You must be a current member of the USTA to participate in any USTA sanctioned tournaments or leagues. To join, go to the following website: http://www.usta.com/USTA/Home/Membership/WaysToJoin.aspx. Have your credit card ready if joining online or by phone.