20 Young Tennis Players Get Tournament Experience at TOPS’L Level 9

Twenty youth tennis players experienced tournament tennis at the entry level when the TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort in Miramar Beach, Fla., hosted a Level 9 (formerly known as ROGY) event for beginner-level players.

“With plenty of staff and volunteers for court monitors, all went well including the parent education session before the matches started,” said Tournament Director and TOPS’L Director of Tennis Joe D’Aleo. “It was great to get the $150 gift card for Tennis Warehouse from USTA Florida for hosting a timed non-elimination entry-level tournament.”

USTA Florida Level 9 (L9) are entry-level tournaments using the red, orange, or green-dot ball depending upon the child’s age and development. L9 events are a fun way for youth tennis players to gain experience on the court in a no-pressure environment.

L9 tournaments are typically half-day to one-day events with timed matches in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Players must know the basics of how to serve, rally and score coming into the events, which have mandatory court monitors to assist children in a non-elimination format with no ranking points awarded.

“All tournament organizers in Florida should take advantage of this as a way to offer some first tournament experiences and give out great prizes for the kids,” D’Aleo said. “For this event everyone got a participation certificate, and kids who won the Sportsmanship, Fastest Feet and Best Serve awards got to choose from an assortment of hats, visors, wristbands, and grips. The Sportsmanship Award winner received a medal as well, since I value this as the most important at a young age.”

For more information on Level 9 through Level 1 junior tournaments in Florida go to www.ustaflorida.com/youthtennis/junior-tournaments/junior-tournament-levels.