USTA PNW Coronavirus COVID-19 Update Page
March 11, 2022
***Note: This page will continue to display the most recent updates as they become available. Previous updates are archived below.***
Effective March 12, 2022
In alignment with the CDC, Oregon and Washington State guidelines, and local health agencies, face coverings/masks are NOT required beginning March 12, 2022, at USTA PNW programs, events, tennis centers, or offices.
Face coverings are optional moving forward. Anyone who wishes to wear a face covering is welcome to do so.
Whenever USTA PNW programs take place at a third-party location, USTA PNW will continue to align with the rules set by the local business, particularly if those rules are stricter than the mandate.
Participants should refer to the most recent CDC Guidelines and/or state health agencies for guidance on how to self-manage. ADVERTISEMENT These resources provide information regarding positive cases, self-contact tracing, isolation, quarantine, and return to work/play.
As always, participants who experience symptoms, test positive, or who were exposed to COVID-19 and are unvaccinated, should continue to stay home. USTA PNW will continue to reserve the right to remove anyone experiencing the above symptoms from the program or event.
Resources for Players
USTA National COVID-19 Update Page
USTA National FAQs regarding Coronavirus and COVID-19
Playing Tennis Safely Player Tips and Recommendations
Returning to Court Webinar (w/ Dr. Alexis Colvin, Chief Medical Officer for the US Open and USTA) *This webinar no longer exists
Resources for Providers
USTA PNW Return To Play Resource Page
Playing Tennis Safely Tips and Recommendations for Providers
ARCHIVE: February 3, 2021, 12PM PT
Updated Information Pages
ARCHIVE: May 21, 2020, 9AM PT
USTA PNW SUSPENSION OF PLAY UPDATE
The health and safety of our PNW tennis community continues to be our priority. As providers and clubs begin making plans to reopen and implement enhanced safety protocols, USTA PNW is actively preparing for the return of tennis play, including USTA sanctioned events. We continue to monitor all CDC and federal guidelines as well as state and local authorities in each of our four states to develop a timeline at the local level for a recommended return to play.
The USTA Medical Advisory Group highly recommends all players ease their way back into play prior to competition. Due to the extended time off from playing, players will be more susceptible to under-training, over-use, and other injuries. The USTA strongly recommends at least three weeks of on-court and off-court conditioning before competition begins.
With those recommendations in mind coupled with the fact that most facilities remain closed, USTA PNW section will extend the suspension of sanctioned play in Oregon, Alaska, Washington and Northern Idaho until July 1, 2020. This includes all Adult Leagues; 10 and under, Junior and Adult Sanctioned Tournaments; and Junior Team Tennis. You will find similar extensions being announced by our fellow western USTA sections given where we are with the spread of COVID-19 in our area of the country.
USTA is in the process of finalizing individualized return to play recommendations for players and as well as tournament organizers that can be used in conjunction with the “Playing Tennis Safely’ recommendations released earlier this month.
Click here for Player Tips and Recommendations
Click here for Facility and Programming Recommendations
USTA PNW reminds players to always prioritize safety. We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
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ARCHIVE: April 13, 2020, 10:30AM PT
COVID-19 Update and Plans for Future Play Opportunities in the Pacific Northwest
You recently received news from our national office that, given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and its impact on the play calendar, the USTA national office and our Section office made the difficult decision to cancel all national and sectional league championship events scheduled for 2020. Given this news, the USTA Pacific Northwest Section wanted to share our tentative plans for local league play for the rest of 2020.
With no national or section championships scheduled, all advancing USTA local leagues scheduled for the spring and summer have been cancelled. In lieu of hosting these advancing leagues, USTA PNW will be hosting a “Welcome Back to Tennis” local league free of charge, which will tentatively begin play in mid-June and be played to the end of August. (The league and start date are contingent on clearance from local health officials; we will provide you with more details of this free league when plans have solidified.)
Additionally, we currently plan to host our traditional USTA advancing leagues (early start) beginning in September. Your area’s new summer and fall local league schedule will be posted in the coming weeks.
For those of you who registered for a spring or summer advancing USTA league that has been cancelled, it is our intention to transfer your league registration to an upcoming USTA advancing fall league. In the event that you do not play a fall league, after the fall league registration period ends, we will reimburse your spring/summer advancing league fee less processing fees.
We thank you for your patience, understanding and support through these challenging and unique times. We hope that you and your family are safe and healthy and we look forward to seeing you on the tennis courts again.
Below is a detailed summary of ALL changes, by product, and how each change may impact players, partners and events within the Pacific Northwest section and community.
USTA LEAGUES
Upcoming Events
New non-advancing summer league. More information will be made available once details solidify.
Fall Leagues: USTA PNW intends on having fall leagues (early start leagues) as we typically have had in the past. More information about dates, leagues, etc. will be released soon.
Cancelled Events
2020 USTA League National Championships are cancelled.
2020 USTA PNW League Section Championships are cancelled.
Registrations will be refunded to captains. This includes the following Section Championships: Adult 18, Adult 40, Adult 55, Adult 65, Mixed 18, Mixed 40, Mixed 55, One Doubles, Coed 18-39.
All advancing USTA local league play scheduled through August 2020 is cancelled, including: all advancing local leagues scheduled to play between March 14 and August 31, 2020, flex leagues and tri-level leagues.
In lieu of these cancellations, USTA PNW intends to offer a free non-advancing summer league. More information will be made available once details solidify.
It is the intent of USTA PNW to transfer all local league entry fees to fall leagues. The process of how this will be done will be released soon. Any unused local league fees from leagues impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will be refunded in December 2020.
JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS
Upcoming Events
All USTA sanctioned Junior tournaments scheduled for after the suspension period is over (after May 31, 2020) are still on schedule until further notice.
Postponed Events
Level 3 tournament originally scheduled for June 19-22 will be postponed. USTA PNW intends on rescheduling this Level 3 tournament and will provide more information as soon as it is available.
Cancelled Events
All USTA sanctioned Junior tournaments are cancelled during the posted USTA suspension of play which is currently through May 31, 2020. Check Tennislink for any tournaments that may be rescheduled.
All ITF Junior events will align with the same calendar as the ITF, ATP and WTA, and be suspended through July 12.
Rankings
All USTA National and USTA PNW ranking list publications are suspended until USTA sanctioned play resumes.
JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS
Upcoming Events
New non-advancing summer league. More information will be made available once details solidify.
Fall JTT Leagues: USTA PNW intends on having fall JTT leagues as we typically have had in the past. More information about dates, leagues, etc. will be released soon.
Cancelled Events
2020 USTA JTT National Championships are cancelled.
2020 USTA PNW JTT Section Championships are cancelled.
USTA JTT local leagues scheduled to play between March 14 and August 31, 2020 are cancelled.
ADULT TOURNAMENTS
Upcoming Events
All USTA sanctioned Adult Tournaments scheduled for after the suspension period is over (after May 31, 2020) are still on schedule until further notice.
Cancelled Events
All USTA Sanctioned Adult Tournaments are cancelled during the posted USTA Suspension of Play which is currently through May 31, 2020. Check Tennislink for any tournaments that may be rescheduled.
All Category 1 and Super Category 2 National Adult Tournaments with an ITF status will align with the same calendar as the ITF, ATP and WTA and be suspended through July 12.
Rankings
All USTA National and USTA PNW ranking list publications are suspended until USTA Sanctioned play resumes.
TENNIS ON CAMPUS
Upcoming Events
USTA PNW intends on hosting the TOC Sectionals scheduled for November 6-8, 2020 at Tualatin Hills Tennis Center and Vancouver Tennis Center.
Cancelled Events
The Winter/Spring TOC League has been cancelled.
The TOC Alumni Cup scheduled for May 1-2, 2020 has been cancelled.
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ARCHIVE: April 3, 2020
USTA Statement on Safety of Playing Tennis During the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is creating challenges for everyone across the globe. American tennis players are asking for guidance regarding the safety of playing tennis, especially when social distancing and space sharing issues are now paramount.
Based on the recommendations of the USTA COVID-19 Advisory Group, the USTA believes that it is in the best interest of society to take a collective pause from playing the sport we love.
Although there are no specific studies on tennis and COVID-19, medical advisors believe there is the possibility that the virus responsible for COVID-19 could be transmitted through common sharing and handling of tennis balls, gate handles, benches, net posts, and even court surfaces.
As a result of this, the USTA asks that as tennis players we need to be patient in our return to the courts and consider how our decisions will not only affect ourselves, but how our decisions can impact our broader communities. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay active and healthy with at home exercise and creative “tennis at home” variations. We look forward to our return to tennis in a safe manner and will provide updates as new information becomes available. By practicing all the recommended guidelines presently put forth by our medical experts, that return will happen in the soonest possible timeframe.
Click here for updated information about COVID-19 from the USTA.
Archive: April 1, 2020
We understand the unique circumstances facing the All England Lawn and Tennis Club and the reasoning behind the decision to cancel the 2020 Wimbledon Championships.
At this time, the USTA still plans to host the US Open as scheduled, and we continue to hone plans to stage the tournament. The USTA is carefully monitoring the rapidly-changing environment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and is preparing for all contingencies.
We also rely on the USTA’s Medical Advisory Group as well as governmental and security officials to ensure that we have the broadest understanding of this fluid situation.
In all instances, all decisions made by the USTA regarding the US Open will be made with the health and well-being of our players, fans, and all others involved in the tournament.
As a reminder, all USTA League Matches are still cancelled through May 3.
ARCHIVE: March 23, 2020; 2:30 PM PT
USTA PNW Update
ALL USTA LEAGUE MATCHES ARE CANCELED THROUGH MAY 3.
Please be advised we are still working diligently on contingency plans for both local leagues and playoffs (if applicable) and will release those plans as soon as they are available.
Also, please be advised that any USTA League match played during the suspension period will not count in the standings or count for ratings. If a match is entered into TennisLink and was played during the suspension period, it will be removed by the USTA National office.
Thank you for your understanding in this unique situation. I hope you stay safe and healthy and thank you for playing USTA Leagues!
USTA National Statement on Suspension of Events
Due to the continued situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and after discussions with the USTA Medical Advisory Committee, effective immediately the USTA will extend the suspension of USTA sanctioned products and events, including Adult and Junior Tournaments, USTA League, Junior Team Tennis, Team Challenge, Team Tournaments, USTA Schools programs, Tennis on Campus and Wheelchair events through May 3. Additionally, recognizing the evolving and fast-changing nature of this situation, the USTA will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about events and activities taking place after May 3.
All Category 1 and Super Category 2 National Adult Tournaments with an ITF status, all ITF Junior events, and all USTA Pro Circuit and professional events will align with the same calendar as the ITF, ATP and WTA, and be suspended through June 7.
Both the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., and the USTA National Campus, in the Lake Nona area of Orlando, Fla., will remain closed for play and instructional opportunities through May 3. Any patron who wishes to cancel participation in a scheduled activity should contact the specific location for refund information. These policies will be in effect pending additional guidance or directives from each local governmental agency and the CDC. The USTA will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about all activities at these facilities.
Click here for tips and recommendations for facilities and players, regarding COVID-19 from the USTA.
ARCHIVE: March 13, 2020; 3PM PT
At 12:30PM EST today, the United States Tennis Association has suspended all USTA-sanctioned events through April 20. Please read the full statement here. USTA PNW will work with national office and the local tennis community partners to make every effort to reschedule events, where possible, following the suspension period. We will continue to seek guidance from local health officials and work with local and national partners as we monitor the situation. We will keep you updated via this page for schedule updates and further details.
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ARCHIVE: Markch 6, 2020
The United States Tennis Association Pacific Northwest office has been and continues to work closely with local and national partners to continually monitor the ever-evolving situation associated with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Based on the latest information, we currently aim to continue tennis play as planned and not cancel or suspend scheduled matches, programs, or events in the section. However, we encourage you to consider all of the facts available to you when deciding whether to participate in an event and do what is right for you and your family, including taking all appropriate precautions advised by the CDC and other local authorities.
To this end, our staff is working to respond to matters as they develop and below are answers to frequently asked questions:
USTA (Adult) League Teams and Players
- It is acceptable for players and teams to default matches due to COVID-19. If a default is necessary, please communicate with your opponent's captain, the host facility, and your Regional League Coordinator.
- Any match that is defaulted due to players being unavailable to play due to COVID-19 can be considered for a reschedule, however, the following parameters will need to be followed: oReschedules must be completed within the posted Local League season dates.
- The host facility must agree to the reschedule. Be advised this could be a different host facility than originally scheduled.
- Both captains must agree on the new date, time, and location.
- Both captains must clearly communicate via e-mail with the host facility and Regional League Coordinator once a new date, time and location is confirmed.
- If both teams agree to a default or both teams are unable to field a team and no reschedule can be accommodated, then this will be recorded as a double team default (per PNW Regulation 2.01c(2)b).
USTA Junior Team Tennis Teams and Players
- It is acceptable for Players/Teams to default matches due to COVID-19. If a default is necessary, please communicate with your opponent's captain, the host facility, and your JTT League Coordinator.
- Any match that is defaulted due to players being unavailable to play due to COVID-19 can be considered for a reschedule, however, the following parameters will need to be followed: o Reschedules must be completed within the posted Local League season dates.
- The host facility must agree to the reschedule. Be advised this could be a different host facility than originally scheduled.
- Both captains must agree on the new date, time, and location.
- Both captains must clearly communicate via e-mail with the host facility and JTT League Coordinator once a new date, time and location is confirmed.
- If both teams agree to a default or both teams are unable to field a team and no reschedule can be accommodated, then this will be recorded as a double team default.
USTA Tennis on Campus Teams and Players
- It is acceptable for Players/Teams to default matches due to COVID-19. If this occurs please communicate with your opponent, host facility, and your TOC Coordinator.
- Any match that is defaulted due to players being unavailable to play due to COVID-19 can be considered for a reschedule, however, the following parameters will need to be followed:
- Reschedules must be completed within the posted Local League season dates.
- The host facility must agree to the reschedule. Be advised this could be a different host facility than originally scheduled.
- Both captains must agree on the new date, time, and location.
- Both captains must clearly communicate via e-mail with the host facility and TOC Coordinator once a new date, time and location is confirmed.
- If both teams agree to a default or both teams are unable to field a team and no reschedule can be accommodated, then this will be recorded as a double team default.
Players Competing in USTA Sanctioned Tournaments
If a registered player decides to withdrawal from a tournament or you want an update on the current status of your event, you are encouraged to reach out to the designated Tournament Director (the Tournament Director’s contact information is located in Tennislink).
Organization Members and Facilities
In the event that a facility temporarily closes due to COVID-19, our office will work with the facility in the hopes of rescheduling or identifying a new location or date for the impacted sanctioned USTA events and programs. Players will be notified of any changes.
General Information
If any individual has any of the symptoms (including but not limited to runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever, lower respiratory symptoms), please stay home, do not play tennis, and seek medical guidance. For those who feel healthy and desire to play, we encourage substituting a racket touch or elbow bump in lieu of the traditional post-match handshake.
We encourage everyone to use the following practices, similar to protecting yourselves and others from a cold and flu:
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue or upper sleeve;
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently (for 20 seconds or longer), or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not readily available, especially after sneezing or coughing;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and wash your hands promptly if you have touched your eyes, nose or mouth;
- Limit close contact (e.g., hand-shaking, hugging, kissing) and avoid sharing food, drinks or towels with people, especially with people and animals who are sick;
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
The most up to date and credible resource for information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is the CDC.
Other important sites include:
Washington Department of Health
Please be assured that our office will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. Your health and safety is our priority and we know that the tennis community will support each other during this time.
