UNDERSTANDING THE DIVISIONS

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To create even, level-based competition, players should compete on a team with players of the same age and experience. To accomplish this, the USTA follows Net Generation's recommendations for players under the age of 11. The USTA sets the divisions for players in the 12U to 18U brackets based on their age and World Tennis Number (WTN). Players may play up a division if they have the experience. No player can play below their age bracket. There are scenarios where a player's WTN number does not accurately reflect their experience. In those scenarios, the Area League Coordinator can move players upon request. Below is an outline of the divisions.  

DIVISION                                       WTN RATING 

BEGINNER-GREEN BALL               NOT APPLICABLE 

DIVISION                                       WTN RATING 

BEGINNER-GREEN BALL               NOT APPLICABLE 

BEGINNER- YELLOW BALL            40.0 - 29.0

INTERMEDIATE                              40.0 - 19.0

ADVANCED                                     40.0-1.0 (This division does not normally form)

DIVISION                                       WTN RATING

BEGINNER                                      40.0 - 29.0

INTERMEDIATE                              40.0 - 19.0

ADVANCED                                     40.0 - 1.0 (This division does not normally form)

DIVISION                                       WTN RATING

BEGINNER                                      40.0 - 29.0

INTERMEDIATE                              40.0 - 19.0 - MUST HAVE ONE FEMALE PLAYER

ADVANCED                                     40.0 - 1.0 - There are incentive to make this division make for the Spring 2025 season.  

The beginner division is not truly for beginners. It is designed for less experiences players or for those who have just aged up into the next division to remain competitive. Don't let the term beginner fool you either. There are a lot of players who should be competing in a higher division but due to their age and their WTN, they may want to play with their friends or may just not be ready to move up. 

The intermediate level is for players with consistent playing experience. Your WTN may "say" you should play on the intermediate level, but that is not always the case. It really depends on your playing history, recent results, and evaluations during the clinics. 

You may very well be an advanced player, but the advanced brackets very rarely have enough teams for competition. You have to ask yourself, would I rather play at an intermediate level or not at all?