Player Entry & Selection

Review the entry and selection procedures for USTA Level 1 Championships.

– VIEW PLAYER ENTRY & SELECTION PROCEDURES

Player Acceptance Methods

– Direct Acceptance List (18s Only)
– USTA National Standing List as of July 10
– Sectional Quota List Explained
– Wild Cards – Apply Here (deadline: July 15)

> ENTERING BOTH AGE DIVISIONS AT USTA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The USTA Regulations allow a player to enter more than one age division of a USTA National Championship. If you want to play in the Nationals in San Diego, but aren’t sure if you will get in, you may enter up to two age divisions. When tournament selection is done, players will be selected for the 18s USTA National Championship first. If you are selected for the 18s Nationals, you will not be considered for the 16s.

If you are not selected for the 18s, you will be considered for the 16s division. This is an important thing to consider before entering. If you enter two divisions and are not accepted into the older division, you can only be considered for main draw and alternate status in the younger division. Although you can enter two divisions, you cannot play in two divisions in the Nationals. You will be selected for one division only, and if you plan to enter doubles, you must play in the age division of your singles entry with an eligible partner. In other words, you cannot play singles in the Girls’ 16s and doubles in the 18s.

> ON-SITE ALTERNATE PROCEDURE

Alternates must register at the On-Site Alternate Desk at the Barnes Tennis Center on the first day of play for each age division. Only players listed on the tournament’s Alternate List may sign in. Girls’ 16 and 18 alternates must check in 30 minutes before the first round begins.

Alternates must remain on-site; if you leave, you may forfeit your chance to enter the draw. Alternates are called in order according to the Alternate List on the tournament homepage. If a player withdraws or is a no-show, the highest-ordered alternate who has signed in on time will be placed in the draw.

Entry Fee: If selected to play, the credit card used for registration will be charged and processed.

> SELECTION PROCESS

The National Standing List published on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, will determine player selection. Eight wild card spots will be available, and selections will be made immediately after the entry deadline.

> WILD CARD ELIGIBILITY

Players who are not endorsed by their USTA Section and/or have other circumstances preventing selection may apply for a Wild Card into this event. Up to eight wild cards will be available for the 18s Nationals.

All applicants must be eligible to enter a USTA National Championship, be in good standing with their Sectional Association, and not be under suspension by the USTA. Wild card consideration is given to players who were unable to meet their Section’s endorsement requirements, and applicants are not required to have submitted a timely tournament entry to be considered.

Wild card applications must be submitted online separately for each National Championship no later than 5:00 PM EDT, five days after the entry deadline for the tournament in question. Early submission is strongly encouraged, and the Tournament Director does not handle these applications. After the deadline, the USTA will verify each applicant’s standing with their Section, and the Wild Card Committee will determine the recipients. Only players selected to receive wild cards will be notified.

– SUBMIT A USTA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WILD CARD APPLICATION

> DOUBLES ELIGIBILITY

All players selected for singles are automatically eligible to play doubles. Even if you did not sign up for doubles, you may still participate if you have a partner. After the selection process, all players must email Eric Stephens at lakewood10s@gmail.com to confirm their doubles partners. Even if you registered a partner during tournament registration, we require an email verification. If you do not have a partner, we can assist in pairing you with one.

Final Doubles Deadlines: The absolute final deadline to enter a Girls’ 16 team is Monday, July 28 by the end of the day, and for Girls’ 18, Tuesday, July 29 by the end of the day.

Doubles Selection Priority: Selection will be determined in this order: two main draw singles players first, one main draw and one alternate second, and two alternates third. If there are more teams than spots, tie-breakers will be determined using combined National Standings Listing (seeding date) rankings.

Need a Doubles Partner?

We use the Match Tennis App Free Doubles Pairing Service. To find a partner:

#1 – Create a free account or log in to the Match Tennis App.
#2 – Go to the tournament details page.
#3 – Click “Find a Doubles Partner” and add your name to the list.
#4 – Contact others looking for a partner and connect.
#5 – Once you secure a partner, update your partner details in your check-in form through the app.

The pairing service is private, so personal contact information is not shared unless you choose to do so.

Tournament Draws & Seeds

The Singles draw is 192 players, while the Doubles draw is 96 teams. 

The Seeding Criteria for USTA Junior National Tournaments is primarily based on a player’s position on the most recent National Standings List for singles and the National Individual Doubles Seeding List for doubles. Doubles teams are seeded according to their combined standings. While the National Standings Lists are the main factor, Tournament Committees may also consider other rankings, such as ATP, WTA, or ITF results, and may make adjustments based on factors like head-to-head wins.

– VIEW SEEDING CRITERIA

Singles seeding will follow the July 17 National Standing List, while doubles seeding will follow the July 24 Doubles Seeding List. The Girls’ 16 draw will be posted on Wednesday, July 30 at 6:00 PM PT, and the Girls’ 18 draw will be posted on Thursday, July 31 at 6:00 PM PT.

Competitive Format & Stakes

Both age divisions feature large draws with 192-player singles and 96-team doubles, ensuring a deep field of elite talent. 

Unlike many tournaments, every competitor has earned her spot through rigorous qualification, whether by winning their Sectional Championship, receiving a USTA wild card, or being endorsed by their USTA Section, ensuring the field truly represents the cream of the crop and the highest level of junior girls’ competition from across the country.

This prestigious Level 1 (L1) event is more than a national title, it’s a critical stepping stone toward college tennis, junior Grand Slams, and the professional tour. With so much on the line, every match at the Barnes Tennis Center carries weight, pride, and purpose.

> MATCH FORMATS

– Main Draw Singles (including 3rd/4th Playoff): Best of three tiebreak sets.
– Feed-In Championship: Best of three tiebreak sets, with a 10-point match tiebreak in place of a third set (regular scoring).
– Doubles Matches: Semifinals, finals, and 3rd place playoff use best of three tiebreak sets. All other doubles matches use best of three tiebreak sets with a 10-point match tiebreak in place of a third set (no-ad scoring).

> US OPEN WILD CARDS & PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES

One of the most defining aspects of the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s & 18s National Championships is the direct pathway it provides to the sport’s biggest stage. These aren’t just trophies, they’re springboards. Wild cards awarded here have launched countless careers, giving rising stars the rare opportunity to fast-track their journey to the WTA Tour.

The Girls’ 18s singles champion receives a coveted wild card into the main draw of the US Open Women’s Singles Championship, a game-changing opportunity to compete alongside the world’s best. The Girls’ 16s champion earns a wild card into the US Open Junior Championships, offering invaluable experience and international exposure. These are not just national titles, they’re life-altering moments that can accelerate a professional career.

Here’s what’s on the line for top finishers in 2026:

– ​Girls’ 18 Singles Champion – US Open Main Draw Singles, US Open Juniors Main Draw Singles, one Women’s USTA W75 Main Draw singles
– Girls’ 18 Doubles Champions – US Open Main Draw Doubles, US Open Juniors Main Draw Doubles (required to play with same partner)
– Girls’ 18 Singles Finalist – US Open Qualifying Singles, US Open Juniors Main Draw Singles, one Women’s USTA W35 Main Draw Singles
– Girls’ 18 Singles 3rd Place – US Open Juniors Main Draw Singles, one Women’s USTA W35 qualifying singles
– Girls’ 18 Singles 4th Place – US Open Juniors Qualifying Singles
– Girls’ 18 Singles 5th Place – US Open Juniors Qualifying Singles
– Girls’ 16 Singles Champion – US Open Juniors Main Draw Singles
– Girls’ 16 Singles Finalist – 16s Orange Bowl Main Draw Singles
– Girls’ 16 Singles 3rd Place – Junior ITF J60 main draw singles
– Girls’ 16 Singles 4th Place – Junior ITF J60 qualifying singles
– Girls’ 16 Singles 5th Place – Junior ITF J30 qualifying singles​

* Players must be age eligible according to ITF rules to accept ITF Junior Wild Cards.​