Resources

At the beginning of the player pathway, all athletes ages 12 & under are able to attend public Development Camps to build a strong foundation in tennis. More selective camps after that (Sectional, Regional, and National) are invite-only camps based on player rankings and coach evaluation. Once players turn 14 and enter the Junior phase of the pathway, USA Tennis continuously monitors player development and performance to identify athletes eligible for our support services. When monitoring players, USA Tennis considers rankings, ratings, results, traits like athleticism and coachability, as well as consistency with USA Tennis culture.

The Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) and World Tennis Number (WTN) are both rating systems designed to measure a player's level of play.

• UTR uses match results to calculate a rating on a scale from 1–16.5 and is widely used in junior, collegiate, and professional tennis.
• WTN is the global rating system developed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and rates players on a scale from 40 (beginner) to 1 (elite).

Both systems provide valuable insights into player development and competitive level.

Wild cards are awarded at the discretion of the tournament and/or selection committee based on established criteria. Considerations may include recent performance, developmental potential, rankings, pathway involvement, injury return, and the specific objectives of the event. Receiving a wild card is a competitive process, and not all qualified athletes will receive one. Please note USA Tennis does not determine all wildcards as a certain allotment is set aside for the tournament to decide. Please see our resources page for more information.

USA Tennis is committed to helping athletes access opportunities that support their development and competitive goals. We offer three types of grants to help offset costs associated with training, travel, and competition: Excellence Grants, Development Grants, and Junior International Grand Slam Grants. Eligibility for each grant varies and is based on competitive results, rankings, and tournament attendance, respectively. Please see our resources page for more information.

For questions regarding financial assistance, grant opportunities, or athlete support programs, please contact your assigned USA Tennis National Coach or Brooke Austin, Director of Player Pathway & Concierge Services, at brooke.austin@usta.com for guidance and assistance.

Tournament selection should align with your age, developmental stage, competitive level, and long-term goals. Athletes are encouraged to compete in events that provide meaningful challenges while supporting growth and confidence. USA Tennis recommends building a balanced competition schedule that includes local, regional, national, and, when appropriate, international opportunities. If you are currently a Junior or older in the USA Tennis pathway, you and your National Coach will discuss scheduling in-depth.

Please review the “USA Tennis Support” section at the top of the Resources page for information on available resources. Services are provided on an individualized basis after visiting Lake Nona and creating a player profile based on your testing and goals.

Access to the Athlete Management System is reserved for athletes participating in the select USA Tennis pathway. Athletes become eligible to access an Athlete Management System (AMS) Profile after participating in a USA Tennis Regional camp (12 & under) or a training week (13 & older). Once eligible, athletes and their families will receive instructions on how to activate their profile and access the platform.

If you have questions about the USA Tennis Player Pathway, camps, athlete services, rankings, competition opportunities, or available resources, please visit the “Ask Us a Question” section of the About Us page or connect with the USA Tennis team through the USA Tennis Athlete Management System. Our team is committed to supporting athletes, parents, and coaches by providing guidance and access to the resources needed for success both on and off the court.

For additional assistance, please contact Brooke Austin, Director, Player Pathway & Concierge Services, at brooke.austin@usta.com. We are happy to help answer questions and connect you with the appropriate resources and support.