For those paying close attention or that read my post on the subject, you know that the National format for 40 & Over for 2024 is changing back to a 5-court format after several years of a 4-court format. The 4-court format had some challenges, dealing with 2-2 ties for one, and was not very popular with many players, so the change back to 5-courts is welcome.
However, the change back did not just revert to the prior 2-singles / 3-doubles format, but instead is a 1-singles / 4-doubles format. This is perhaps good for getting players matches, 9 line-up spots instead of 8, but doesn't address those wanting to play more singles.
Now, this change may not really be a change where you are. Sections/districts/areas have always had the ability to run local leagues using alternate formats, and many do, and some planned to stick with 4-court or other formats for 2024. It is still very early in 2024, but I thought I'd take an early look at what formats are being used.
Keep in mind that some leagues haven't started yet and I'm only looking at those that have started or at least have schedules up. Also keep in mind that a given league may have multiple formats as sometimes lower or higher level flights will use a 3-court format to require fewer players.
With that said, as of today, there are 104 leagues that have flights continuing to use the 1-singles / 3-doubles format and just 42 that are using the National 1-singles / 4-doubles format. There are even 9 choosing to use 2-singles / 3-doubles. Still the 4-court format is far and away the most common.
And this isn't something where different sections have standardized on a format. As of right now, only Eastern is using a single format (1-singles / 3- doubles) and there are others not using 1-singles / 4-doubles at all including Intermountain, Mid-Atlantic, Middle States, Midwest, Northern California, Pacific Northwest, Southern California, and Southwest, but all other than Eastern are using multiple formats.
I think this is an indication that the change in the regulations to a 4-court format was done late enough that many areas had already planned on continuing the format from 2023, or facilities prefer to not dedicate as many courts to USTA play keeping more available for other use.
What this means to players and teams is that as you progress through the season and advance in playoffs, the format used may change. Local playoffs will likely use what was used in local league play, but come Districts, States, or Sectionals, you may need to field a line-up requiring more players, and certainly those that go to Nationals will have to use the 1-singles / 4-doubles format. Keep that in mind as you recruiting players and get them matches to be qualified for post-season play.
What are you seeing in your area? What reason have you been given for the format being used?
NOVA leagues using 3 doubles courts. No singles.
ReplyDeleteNorCal will remain 4 lines for 2024, 1 Single, 3 Doubles, with D1 counting for 2 points (all other lines 1). Only reason given is that sections had the option to not change. Standings based on total points, not wins and losses. However, this is the disclaimer posted on every team home pages:
ReplyDelete*While the NorCal Adult 40 & Over League Format in the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 levels is 4 lines-One Line of Singles and Three Lines of Doubles, if your team progresses to Nationals at the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 or 4.5 levels, the match format will be 5 lines-ONE line of singles and FOUR lines of doubles.
Rhode Island will use the 1S/4D format for 40+ and also eliminate the 17 player roster limit. Districts in New England will be 1S/3D, while sectionals and nationals will be 1S/4D. I'm not sure that the 1S/3D format at districts will be well-received or competitively as satisfying, especially for playoff tennis. There is no shortage of 40+ men who want to play singles, so I'm both perplexed and disappointed by the decision to de-emphasize 40+ singles.
ReplyDelete