Another rule change for 2020 USTA League, stricter rules for playoff eligibility, and more on the 40 & Over format

I have seen more text from the updated USTA League regulations for 2020 and there is another rule change to be aware of.  I also have an update on the 40 & Over format change to 1 singles and 3 doubles courts.   Note that the updated regulations document should show up on the USTA site here soon, in fact it is now there and you can go directly to the document using this link.

First, on the 40 & Over format, to be clear, this format is not mandated to be used for local leagues.  Each section/district/area has the leeway to use an alternate format for local league play, and even through Sectionals if they so choose.  The new format is what Nationals will use though.  So I encourage you to let your League Coordinator which format you prefer and perhaps you can influence what is used at least for local league play.

Also, I did have a poll available to voice your opinion on the format chnage and as of my writing this, 85% of the nearly 100 respondents said they prefer the current 2 singles / 3 doubles format to the new 1 singles / 3 doubles format.   If you haven't voted, please do and let your voice be heard.

Now, on to the new change I saw in the latest regulations.

This change centers around eligibility for playoffs and Nationals and the minimum matches required to be played to be eligible.  In the recent past and for 2019, players had to play in two regular season matches to be eligible for playoffs through Sectionals, and three matches to be eligible for Nationals.  In each case one default may count towards the required matches.

As I understand it, this rule is there to ensure players play on the team and don't just show up in playoffs as ringers from other teams that didn't qualify.  Secondarily, it is there to ensure that self-rated players have played matches and have had a chance for the 3-strike DQ process to work.

The problem is that a self-rated (or appeal) players could be hidden on a roster getting a default win playing just one match before Sectionals, then play one match there and be qualified for Nationals with only two actual matches played.  Naturally, there is no way to get three 3-strikes in just two matches.

The new rule now states that self-rated and appeal player must have played four matches to be eligible for Nationals and no defaults count.  Sections may also optionally require the same for any phase of local through sectional playoffs, and may also optionally not allow defaults to count towards the total.

Update: I was not clear originally in the above, the minimum matches played are on the team advancing, not across all teams played on.  So a self-rated player playing both 18 & Over and 40 & Over would have to play at least four matches on each team to be eligible for Nationals on each team.

I think this is an excellent change made by the USTA so thank them for taking this action.  The prior rule was clearly a loophole allowing self-rates and appeal players to hide and not risk a 3-strike DQ and still qualify for Nationals where they could play all out, and unfortunately some captains would exploit it.   The new rule makes this far more difficult to pull this trick off and I think league play and especially playoffs will be better off for it.  Well done USTA.

Now let's hope sections adopt the four match minimum for playoffs too, or at least something more stringent than the old rule.

What do you think of the new minimum required match rule?  Tough enough?  Still too lenient?  What should be done for local/district/state/sectional playoffs?