ESPN reported today that the USTA has gone through a reorganization that has cut about 20% of their staff (110) and will result in the office in White Plains, NY closing.
The reorganization has been in the works since 2018 but was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact to date and I'm sure potential impact to the US Open, which is the main revenue generator for the USTA.
It appears those impacted may have leaned towards those over the age of 50 and with 15 or more years experience, as in the past few weeks those staff were reportedly offered "voluntary departure" with a pretty generous severance. The story does not say if the severance received for those ultimately let go was the same or not.
Regardless of who is impacted, it is sad to see, but perhaps not a surprise that the USTA is not immune to what is affecting nearly every other organization.
I have no insight into where the cuts were and what it means to USTA League or any other adult programs, which is probably what the majority of my readers care about. Note of course that this reorganization is specifically about USTA National. Each section is its own organization and whether or not there are cuts or changes at those levels is separate, but perhaps related as funding from National may be changing going forward.
Monday, June 8, 2020
More USTA sections lay out plans for resuming League play - PNW and NorCal
Most areas in the country a re beginning to reopen, and with that USTA sections are laying out plans for resuming USTA League play.
In my section, Pacific Northwest, all normal/advancing league play has been canceled but a Summer Social League is planned and teams are starting to form. It is an 18 & Over Mixed league using a similar format to the recently new 18-39 Coed league, that being World Team Tennis like format.
In this format a team match consists of six no-ad set matches, first to six games wins, a 9-point tie-breaker played at 5-5. The team match will be played on two courts with men's/women's doubles first, men's and women's singles next, and two courts of mixed doubles last.
There are a variety of WTT like rules including playing lets on serves, substitutions during a set, and coaching being allowed. See this for the full rules including guidelines for Covid-19 conscious line-up exchanges and play with everyone serving with their own balls.
The matches will not count for ratings, and the league will run from July 17 thru August 30. The goal is 4-6 matches per team, and a team could form with just four players.
The other big news is the league is free! Well, sort of. You still have to register on TennisLink and it will charge its $3 fee. Guest fees at clubs will still apply as well.
PNW has also earlier stated that 2021 early start leagues are planned as normal for this Fall.
Northern California has also notified players of their plans for resuming play, an update from their prior plans. They plan to open registrations for Adult 18 & Over, Adult 40 & Over, and Mixed 55 & Over at the in June.
Adult 18 & Over will replace the normal Fall Combo league and play from August 10 thru October 4, with local playoffs and even Sectionals finishing up in mid-November. Players already registered for the earlier planned 18 & Over will receive a credit to be automatically applied to a future registration.
The 40 & Over league was in session so needs to be finished and will do so from August 3 thru 30 working towards Sectionals October 9 thru 11.
Mixed 55 & Over also needs to complete play and will do so September 14 thru October 4, Sectionals in early November.
It appears Tri-Level is planned as a weekend event in late October, and Adult 65 & Over is still TBD with a. survey forthcoming.
What is happening in your area? Do you plan to play or sit out the remainder of 2020?
In this format a team match consists of six no-ad set matches, first to six games wins, a 9-point tie-breaker played at 5-5. The team match will be played on two courts with men's/women's doubles first, men's and women's singles next, and two courts of mixed doubles last.
There are a variety of WTT like rules including playing lets on serves, substitutions during a set, and coaching being allowed. See this for the full rules including guidelines for Covid-19 conscious line-up exchanges and play with everyone serving with their own balls.
The matches will not count for ratings, and the league will run from July 17 thru August 30. The goal is 4-6 matches per team, and a team could form with just four players.
The other big news is the league is free! Well, sort of. You still have to register on TennisLink and it will charge its $3 fee. Guest fees at clubs will still apply as well.
PNW has also earlier stated that 2021 early start leagues are planned as normal for this Fall.
Adult 18 & Over will replace the normal Fall Combo league and play from August 10 thru October 4, with local playoffs and even Sectionals finishing up in mid-November. Players already registered for the earlier planned 18 & Over will receive a credit to be automatically applied to a future registration.
The 40 & Over league was in session so needs to be finished and will do so from August 3 thru 30 working towards Sectionals October 9 thru 11.
Mixed 55 & Over also needs to complete play and will do so September 14 thru October 4, Sectionals in early November.
It appears Tri-Level is planned as a weekend event in late October, and Adult 65 & Over is still TBD with a. survey forthcoming.
What is happening in your area? Do you plan to play or sit out the remainder of 2020?
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