Cup and Sectional Teams

What are Cup and Sectional team competitions?

It is the function of each USTA section and USTA National to provide opportunities for each player to attempt the benchmark of his or her ability level. All of the USTA sections recognize their elite players through the intersectional and team competitions, which are held annually. They are the most prestigious events you can play. It is our best versus their best. The USTA's most illustrious team event, the Davis Cup, began as an Intersectional competition between a top level group of East Coast players versus West Coast players.

Description of Cup and Sectional Team Events

Who is eligible to play in these events?

An invitiation to play in a sectional team event is an honor extended by the section to its best adult players. Participation in these events gives the player an opportunity to contribute to the legacy of each competition. Players must be USTA New England members in good standing.

I play on a USTA League 4.5 - 5.0 team. Would I be eligible?

Highly-skilled league players are encouraged to apply for a team providing they meet the tournment eligibility requirement. Advanced players from other sections now living in the New England section, former or present college players, and players with tour experience should also apply for a team if interested.

Important facts regarding Cup and Sectional team competitions:

• The rigorous selection process for team members enables those qualified players to enjoy the highest level of competition and prestige available to them.
• The sites change from year to year with sections hosting individual events on a rotating basis.
• Some competitions may be local to the player, while others may require travel and lodging.
• Certain Intersectional events count towards a National ranking.

Interested in getting involved?

Apply for a team

Description of Cup and Sectional Team Events

Church Cup

Established in 1918, a men's open competition between Eastern, Middle States, Mid-Atlantic and New England, traditionally held on grass. Format is 3 singles and 3 doubles.

Sears Cup

Established in 1927 by two great women players, Hazel Wightman and Eleanor Sears, the Wightman Cup became a competition between the US and Great Britain with Mrs. Sears lending her name to the women’s open competition between Eastern, Middle States, Mid-Atlantic and New England

Addie Cup

Established in 1981 and named after a former Wimbledon champion, Pauline Betz Addie. This is a women’s age 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s championship event between New England, Eastern Middle States and MidAtlantic. The 40s and 50s play 4 singles and 2 doubles, while the 6-s and 7-s play 2 singles and 1 doubles.

Atlantic Coast Cup

45s, 55s, 65s and 75s, each is a separate men’s event played between New England, Eastern, Middle States and Mid-Atlantic.

Friendship Cup

An annual event consisting of men’s 45s, 55s, 65s and 75s and women’s 40s, 50s, 55s, 65s and 70s, singles and doubles – U.S. vs. Canada. Host sites alternate each year.

Talbert Cup

An annual event established in 1986 names in the memory of the nine-time Grand Slam Champion, Bill Talbert, the Talbert Cup pits men ages 35 and over from the USTA Sections of New England, Eastern, Mid-Atlantic and Middle States in round-robin competition.

Senior Thurston Cup

An annual open event consisting of four New England area: North, South, Central and Boston. Format is 5 doubles positions.

USTA Women’s Intersectional Team Championships

National team competition between USTA Sectionals for 35s, 45s, 55s, 65s and 75s. Format is 3 singles and 2 doubles. Women’s 65s, 75s and 80s format is currently 2 singles and 1 doubles.

USTA National Competitions – National Doubles

Women’s age divisions: 35s, 45s, 55s, 65s, 75s (3s & 2d for 35s to 65s and 2s & 1d for 75s). Men’s age divisions: 25s, 35s, 45s, 55s, 65s, 75s (3s & 2d for 35s to 65s and 2s & 1d for 25s and 75s).