These recommendations were published on July 16th for a 30 day public comment period. After the comment period, the recommendations will be forwarded to the USAPA Board as recommended changes to the rules. Any changes to the rules (if any), the final wording, and formatting will be decided by the USAPA Board.
If you have any comments, pro or con, please contact your local ambassador or send comments use the link provided in the USAPA website.
The recommendations were reformatted below for consistency. For the original document, please go to the USAPA website (Click here).
Formatting notes:
The current rules are in normal type.
The recommendations and official comments to be included in the rules are in bold or shaded.
Section 15 -- Tournament Division Categories
Sanctioned Tournament Divisions & Categories
15.A. Event Categories:
Men - Singles and Doubles
Women - Singles and Doubles
Mixed - Doubles
Event categories may vary, depending upon the number of entries, their age and gender. In addition, the tournament sponsor may dictate the event categories.
15.A.1. Events described by gender shall allow only members of that gender to play in that event. Men’s and boy’s events will have only male players entered. Women’s and girl’s events will have only female players entered.
By allowing women to play in men’s events in some cases would prohibit some men from earning ranking points.
15.A.2. Mixed Doubles- A mixed doubles team shall consist of 1 male and 1 female player.
15.A.3. Players may not play in more than one division in their gender events.
15B. USAPA List of Approved Events
Open (Highest)
A (Advanced)
B (Intermediate)
C (Novice)
12&U (12 Years and Under)
18&U (18 Years and Under)
35+ (35 Years and Over)
45+ (45 Years and Over)
55+ (55 Years and Over)
65+ (65 Years and Over)Ability levels may vary, depending upon the number of entries and their respective age levels. In addition, the tournament sponsor may dictate the event categories and ability levels.
15B.1. Junior Events
Girl's (10 & Under) ----- Singles and Doubles
Girl's (12 & Under) ----- Singles and Doubles
Girl's (14 & Under) ----- Singles and Doubles
Girl's (16 & Under) ----- Singles and Doubles
Girl's (18 & Under) ----- Singles and Doubles
Boy's (10 & Under) ---- Singles and Doubles
Boy's (12 & Under) ---- Singles and Doubles
Boy's (14 & Under) ---- Singles and Doubles
Boy's (16 & Under) ---- Singles and Doubles
Boy's (18 & Under) ---- Singles and Doubles
15B.2. Adult Events
Open Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
35 & Over -------------Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
50 - 54 ---------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
55 - 59 ---------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
60 - 64 ---------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
65 - 69 ---------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
70 - 74 ---------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
75 - 79 ---------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
80 - 84 ---------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
50 - 64 Masters --------Men's & Women's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
65 + Legends -----------Men's & Women's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
15.B.3. USAPA Rated Tournament Events
Senior 4.5+ ------------ Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
Senior 4.0 ---("A")----- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
Senior 3.5 ---("B")----- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
Senior 3.0 ---("C")----- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
4.5+ ------------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
4.0 -------------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
3.5 -------------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
3.0 -------------------- Men's & Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles
Comment: 4.5+ is an indication that the 4.5+ rating will initially include players 4.5 and higher! Players assigned a 5.0 rating may play in a 4.5+ event during at least the 2007-year.
15.C. Special Events:
Disabled
Family Fun
15.D. Guidelines for Moving Between Ability Level Divisions (Open, A, B, C):
15.D.l. Moving Down - A player may move down to a lower division at any time unless he has current tournament points (in the past 12 months) in the higher division.
15.D.2. Moving Up - A player may move up to a higher division at any time. If a player wins an A, B, or C division event, then that player must move up to a higher division in the next tournament entered. If, in the next tournament, this player does not win tournament points then a move back down to the lower division is acceptable.
15.D.3. Women Playing in Men's Events - Women may play in men's events at their normal level or down one division. For example, a woman A player may enter into men's A or B events. The guidelines for moving up or down also apply.
(15.D.3 to be deleted)