Rule Change Will Allow ITA Competition Courts

15-Jun-2010

  Press Release No. 57-2010

 

 

INTERCOLLEGIATE TENNIS ASSOCIATION TO ALLOW USTA
APPROVED 36’ AND 60’ TENNIS LINES ON COMPETITION COURTS

 

Rule Change Will Allow ITA Competition Courts to be Used for
Tournaments and Training Utilizing the Quick Start Play Format

 

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 28, 2010-- The USTA and Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the governing body of college tennis, announced today that the ITA has approved a rule change that will allow its competition courts to feature permanent USTA approved 36’ and 60’ tennis lines. The rule change will allow collegiate facilities to be used for tournaments and training sessions geared towards children ages 10 and under by utilizing the Quick Start play format, which utilizes lower bouncing balls, smaller racquets and shorter courts, all tailored to a child’s age and size. 

 

 “The rule change to allow USTA approved 36’ and 60’ lines on competition courts was unanimously approved by the ITA Operating Committee at its meetings during the NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga.,“ said David A. Benjamin, Executive Director, ITA. “The ITA is excited and proud to lead the way with this endorsement of the Quick Start play format.”

 

The rule change signifies the emergence of the Quick Start play format as an integral part of the development of young players. The ITA Division I Operating Committee, in conjunction with collegiate coaches who are considered as some of the top player development coaches in the country, has embraced the impact of the Quick Start play format and recognize that youth competition and training should be organized using slower balls and appropriate sized racquets on appropriate sized courts. The committee has therefore taken the lead in revising the regulations regarding lines on its competition courts.
    
“USTA Player Development is thrilled that the ITA and its member coaches have taken the lead in embracing 36’ and 60’ tennis,” said Patrick McEnroe, General Manager, USTA Player Development. “Comprised of some of the top player development coaches in the nation, the ITA recognizes the importance of appropriate training and competition for the 10 and under population. This rule change demonstrates their commitment to assisting in the development of young American players.”

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The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing thegrowth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profitorganization with more than 740,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operatesthe US Open, the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns the 90-plus Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA philanthropic entity, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and through tennis, helps underserved youth and people with disabilities to improve academics, build character and strive for excellence. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com.

For more information, contact: 
Rita Garza, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, USTA,
(914) 697-2223;
garza@usta.com

 

 

United States Tennis Association, 70 West Red Oak, Lane, White Plains, NY 10604, T914.696.7000, F914.696.7169, www.usta.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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