Is there a touring, hand-picked Team NorCal consisting of our top juniors in the future? The idea emerged as one of the most popular subjects on a wish list addressed by 14 teaching pros invited from all over NorCal to be a sounding board.

The occasion was the first Tennis Pro Summit called by the USTA NorCal. It was held in September at the San Francisco Tennis Club. The purpose was to develop a relationship between the teaching pros and the section. Some 44 pros were invited; 14 were able to attend. They discussed nearly a score of topics pertinent to juniors.

Team NorCal would be similar to the USTA National Team. Team expenses would be paid as it competed against other sections and endeavored to enter, through qualifying and wild cards, Challengers, Satellites and Futures.

Besides dreamy topics, the group also discussed practical matters. The pros agreed that tournament rules and regulations are too confusing for juniors and that the ranking system should be made easier to understand. The communication of new rules between the national and sectional offices should include our High Performance coaches and pros in a timely manner. Email addresses were collected as the first step. Moreover, a list was created to identify which pros are working with which juniors.

Adnan Zaidi, USTA NorCal Director of Junior Tennis, said he hoped to hold more Summits in the future.





30th Annual Maze Cup

A level 5 event for USTA National Ranking! This Davis Cup format event for Boys/Girls 16s and 18s is scheduled for June 7-8, 2003, in Bakersfield. Acceptance will be determined on a player's position on the Sectional Ranking List at the time of endorsement.

Wilson Super Excellence Workout for the Spring Super National

USTA NorCal and Wilson will hold a free workout for those NorCal boys/girls who are in the 16s and 18s and ranked in the top four on the ranking list two weeks prior to the workout. The workout, by invitation only, is March 16, 2003, 1-5 p.m.

Wilson Super Excellence Workout for the Spring Super National

USTA NorCal and Wilson will hold a free workout for those NorCal boys/girls who are in the 16s and 18s and ranked in the top four on the ranking list two weeks prior to the workout. The workout, by invitation only, is March 16, 2003, 1-5 p.m. Please check the website www.ustanorcal.com and click "Juniors" for updates.

Level 5 Tournaments

ALL Championship Level tournaments have been approved as level 5 by the USTA National for National Ranking purposes! This also includes the Fall Championships.

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All matches played in the main or consolation draws will award points to the winner. Main draw points are a fixed number; the round you reach determines the points awarded. Consolation points per round are cumulative and are added to the main draw points. (Please refer to the point tables in the 2003 Junior Handbook.)

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If you receive a retirement or default (walkover, withdrawal, etc.) during a match (main or consolation) you are awarded points as if you had won the match. If you receive a bye, you must win the next round to receive points.

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Acceptance into a tournament will be based on the most current published ranking list.

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Rankings will be based on the best eight (8) tournaments played over the course of the last twelve (12) months (rollover ranking). There will be no final year-end rankings.

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Up to two (2) national tournaments may be included in the determination of your best eight (8) tournaments for ranking. Only the Super Nationals and tournaments on the national schedule in the state of California are eligible to be included. Additionally, team events such as the Zonals (12, 14, 16), Intersectionals, Junior Davis Cup, and Junior Fed Cup count towards your NorCal sectional ranking. One of your two national tournaments may include these team competitions.

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All eligible players who have won at least one match in a Northern California section-sanctioned tournament will be ranked. A player with points cannot be removed from the sectional ranking list.

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Juniors may play in any age division until the month in which they age-out of that division. Only matches played in a particular age division will count towards ranking in that age division.

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Sectional endorsement for entry into selected national tournaments will be based on a player's position on the sectional ranking list, in the age division in which the player is seeking endorsement, at the time of endorsement.

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All players must be a USTA member and must be a Northern California section resident to be eligible for a Sectional Ranking.

Who to contact if you have questions about the Point per Round Ranking System

The High Performance Department of USTA NorCal will be available to answer your questions about the new system. Please call our toll free number at 1-866-748-7327 or email us at Jrtournaments@norcal.usta.com. The toll free number will be available through May 30, 2003. Ask for the High Performance Department when calling. CLICK HERE to get the Juniors' updates on the Points per Round Ranking System.

Birth Certificates

Each USTA NorCal junior is required to send a certified copy of his/her birth certificate to the USTA NorCal, Attn: Birth Certificates, 1350 S. Loop Rd., Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94502-7081. Certified copies can be obtained by contacting your county of birth. Should you wish to have the birth certificate returned to you from the USTA NorCal, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope with the certified birth certificate. Rankings may be withheld until a birth certificate is on file.

Address and Phone Numbers

Please notify the USTA National office (1-800-990-8782) of all address and phone number changes through their automated system.

2003 Junior Handbook

The 2003 Junior Handbook was mailed in December to the household of all then current USTA NorCal junior members. Additional copies are available from our office for $5.00 ($4.00 walk-in).CLICK HERE to view the Handbook online.

Team Tennis for Youth

Boys and girls ages 6 to 18 play on teams in leagues that emphasize fun, fitness and the social benefits of tennis. Teams are organized to match players of similar ability and age and to compete against other teams in their local area. Participation consists of team practices and match play. The leagues are separated into three different seasons (Spring, Summer, and Fall). So as the new year approaches, make sure your child does not miss out on the fun of Team Tennis Youth! For more information please contact Christine Chan or call her at (510) 748-7373 ext. 2917


Here's a winner. Top NorCal juniors 10-16 are potential candidates for six free tennis memberships at the prestigious, lakeside Olympic Club in San Francisco. The member organization club is starting a Junior Merit program in 2003 to assist the development of promising NorCal- and nationally-ranked youngsters. For those selected, the club would become their home courts. They would receive Olympic Cblub apparel and partial tournament travel and entry fee subsidies. Candidates must qualify also with their grades and deportment. Call Nigel O'Rourke for additional information at (415) 404-4350.

Globe-trotting Sasha Podkolzina, NorCal's top junior, helped the five-member US team end Great Britiain's nine-victory win streak in the Maureen Connolly Trophy competition in Bournemouth, England. The Concord teenager won her two singles matches as the US triumphed 7-4 in the 19-and-under competition in October.