USTA Girls' 12 National Clay Court Championships

Singles Alternates updated 7/12 @ 10:00pm

The winner of the 2017 G12's Sportsmanship Award was presented to Miss Gracie Epps from Norman, Oklahoma.
Congratulations Gracie!!

WEATHER UPDATE July 21 @ 2:30 PM
Due to the rain continuing and the current conditions of the courts
matches are canceled for the day.
Doubles will be played after the completion of all singles matches on Saturday.

For your convenience, we have blocked a limited amount of rooms at the SpringHill Suites in Boca Raton. If you are in need of an affordable hotel room that includes a full hot or cold breakfast and is only 10 minutes from the Polo Club, please click on the link below (more info) to reserve your room or call 561-994-2107 and mention Girls 12 Nationals. All rooms are suites and have a sofa with a pull out in the sitting area as well as either a king or double beds. Double beds are very limited so if needed reserve immediately.

• Special rate deadline: July 12, 2017
• Check-in: Thurs, July 13, 2017 (or after)
• Check-out: Sun, July 23, 2017 (or before)

SPRINGHILL SUITES BOCA RATON, 5130 NW 8th Avenue Boca Raton, FL 33487

Special Rates 87.00 per night
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1. The Polo Club is a private club and has strict parking procedures.
2. There will be designated parking signs for the tournament. It is imperative all tournament cars park in the designated parking area.

3. Players may be dropped off in the lower valet area. However, valet parking is not available for the tournament.

NO PETS are allowed on the Polo Club property.

Registration for all players will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2017 from 1:00pm-2:00pm in the Laurels Room located at the main entrance of the clubhouse at the Polo Club Boca Raton followed by a mandatory meeting and orientation from 2:00pm-2:30pm. At this time, each player will confirm doubles partner and/or have the opportunity to find a doubles partner.

The Polo Club will hold an Olympic Style Opening Ceremony on Court 11 from 5:30 pm to 5:45 pm Saturday, July 15th, weather permitting. Rehearsal will begin promptly at 5:00 pm and all players MUST WEAR white skirts or white shorts and the tournament t-shirt. Each player will also be responsible to bring her name tag that is created at registration.

FORMAT
· Players should report to the tournament desk 15 minutes prior to match start time and both winner and loser should report to the tournament desk immediately after the match. Winners should return the match balls to the tournament desk.
· Warm-up period is 5 minutes. All practice serves are to be taken during this warm-up period. A player should not practice service returns while another player is practicing her serve.
SINGLES (Compass Draw)
· Play shall be best of 3 tiebreak sets for EAST Draw matches and for 3rd/4th place Playoffs only. New balls will be provided for the third set.
· Play shall be best of 3 tiebreak sets with a 10-Point Match Tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set for all non EAST Draws in the Compass Draw.
DOUBLES (Single Elimination)
· Play shall be best of 3 tiebreak sets for the Final, Semi-Final and 3rd/4th place Playoffs only. New balls will be provided for the third set.
· Play shall be best of 3 tiebreak sets with a 10-Point Match Tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set for all other doubles matches.

REST PERIODS
There will be a mandatory 10-minute rest period for all matches in the EAST Draw before playing the 3rd set. Coaching is permitted during rest periods but coaches/parents must remain off the court. If play is suspended for 10 minutes or more during the 2nd set, only a mandatory 3-minute rest period with coaching will be taken if sets split. All matches playing a 10-Point Match Tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set receive a 3 minute rest period with coaching from the fence for both a rain delay of more than 15 minutes and before a 10-Point Match Tiebreak. If a player requires a bathroom break, the 3 minute rest period is to be done first and then the bathroom break can be taken with NO coaching. Reasonable time is allowed for a bathroom break.

DRESS CODE
Proper tennis attire is required. Compression/spandex shorts worn alone are NOT proper tennis attire.

MISCELLANEOUS
· Players are subject to the rules of the USTA and the Point Penalty System will be in effect. Please be advised that the USTA Suspension Point System is in effect from the time you check into the tournament till you leave to go home. This includes actions both on and off the court by players, parents or coaches.
· Either player may call a let providing they call it immediately for balls rolling onto the court. Service lets may be called by either player and will be called before the receiver strikes the ball.
· A player shall not pass the net to inspect a ball mark on a clay court. Players who cross the net to check a ball mark shall be penalized under the Code of Conduct for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
· Under THE CODE a player is not required to show the opponent a ball mark on clay but is courteous to do so (CODE 21).
· If an official is called to the court for a disagreement regarding the ball mark being in or out, they will read that mark if both players agree on the mark. They will also ask what type of shot they are reading (i.e. down the line or cross court). The opponent also has the right to indicate the mark if they do not agree on the opponents indication.
· Each player is responsible for making all line calls on her side of the net. DO NOT ask spectators, coaches or parents for help in a line call. If you are not sure of a ball landing on your side of the court, you will consider your opponent’s ball as GOOD.
· No player, parent, relative, coach or other person associated with a player shall abuse an official or player. Unacceptable behavior or language will be penalized under the Code of Conduct according to the USTA rules and regulations.
· There will be no speaking to a player on court in a foreign language not understood by the official. This action could be considered that coaching is being given even if it simply words of encouragement.
· A player has the right to leave the court to obtain the services of the referee or an umpire. Such action must be taken without delay.
· The server shall announce the game score before the first point of the game and the point score before each subsequent point of the game. If the receiver does not hear the score being called, simply ask the server to speak louder. Scoring disputes shall be resolved by using one of the following methods, which are listed in order of preference:
- Replay only the disputed point(s) or game(s).
- Play from a score to which both players agree.
- Spin a racket or toss a coin.

WEATHER
Florida is the “Lightning Capital” of the world. If a storm approaches and you hear the officials announce “Suspend Play” this is for either court conditions caused by rain OR lightning has been spotted. If the courts are cleared due to lightning, we request that all players and parents leave the playing area and find safety indoors. Play will resume when no lightning has been spotted in the area for at least 30 minutes.
Dehydration is also something that may occur if not properly hydrated. Many players are not acclimated to playing in our extreme heat and humidity. Do not wait until you are on the courts playing your match to drink liquids. Drink plenty of water the day and night before your matches.
Some of the signs of dehydration may be: Ringing in the ears, blurred vision, clammy skin with extreme perspiration and dizziness. There will be medical personal present during the matches if the need arises. If you are experiencing these symptoms while you are playing your match please consider requesting a medical time-out from the official working your court. Your health and wellbeing is very important to us.
I truly hope that the friends made at this tournament will become friends for life. This wonderful game of Tennis is truly a “Sport of a Lifetime.”

Have Fun!

Sandi Pardon
National Referee

Players may submit emails to Lynne Salus at salus@ustaflorida.com to confirm doubles partnerships. Emails by BOTH players MUST be sent to process the team. All doubles players will re-confirm their partnership during the Mandatory Player Registration/Meeting. In the event of late check in, BOTH partners MUST have submitted their information no later than 3pm on Saturday, July 15th or will not be included in the doubles draw.

If you are entering two different tournaments (Girls 12s and Girls 14s) you MUST click on the link (more info) to review the procedures.
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If you had problems with your credit card payment, are an alternate that made it into the main draw or you are only playing doubles, you will need to bring cash in the amount of 151.00 to the Mandatory Meeting at the Polo Club on Saturday, July 15th. NO PERSONAL CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

The Tournament Committee will refund the player's entry fee if: The entry is not accepted; or the withdrawal is for previously authorized entry into another tournament. In all other cases (such as withdrawals for illness, injury or personal circumstances), a refund will only be given if notification is received prior to the making of the draw on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 and is for illness, injury or personal emergency.

Injury or Illness Written Verification Requirement If the player is not playing because of an injury or illness, the player shall deliver written verification of the injury or illness from a medical professional to the referee no later than the last scheduled day of the tournament.

Personal Emergency Written Verification Requirement If the player is not playing because of a personal emergency, the player shall deliver a written decision of the situation no later than the last scheduled day of the tournament and the referee shall determine whether the situation is a personal emergency.

Draw Sheets with the 1st round match times will be distributed at the end of the mandatory meeting at the Polo Club on Saturday, July 15th at 2:30pm. It will also be posted on the web by 8pm Saturday, July 15th.

The tournament will host 128 players with the modified compass singles draw and a 64 single elimination doubles draw. There will be a 3rd/4th play-off for singles and doubles.

The alternate list shall be posted after the registration deadline.
Replacing of Player Before Draw is Made: The tournament committee shall replace a player who was accepted as part of a Section's quota with the next player on the Section's endorsement list. The tournament committee shall replace a player who was NOT accepted as part of a Section's quota with the next highest remaining alternate.

Replacing of Player After Draw is Made, but Before the Completion of the 1st Round: The tournament committee shall replace a player after the draw is made, but before the completion of the 1st round with the next highest remaining alternate.

No Replacement of Players is Made After the Completion of the 1st Round: No players are replaced in the draw after the completion of the 1st round. For example, a player who wins their 1st round, but cannot play their 2nd round due to injury, is NOT replaced with an alternate.

For Wild Card information and application click on "More Info".
Deadline: No later than 5 days after tournament entry deadline (Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. EST)
Contact: Madelyn Koch at madelyn.koch@usta.com
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ALL PLAYERS MUST BRING a USTA Signed Release & Waiver form with parent/guardian signature to Registration or they will be UNABLE to participate in the event! If you would like to send via email (prior to the Saturday mandatory meeting then, sign, scan and send to Jean Mills at jeanhmills@comcast.net.
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Proper tennis attire is required at The Polo Club. Tennis t-shirts are acceptable and smooth soled tennis shoes are required for clay courts.

Practice courts will be available starting Friday July 14th at no charge for only the players and coaches in the Girls 12s. All players must check in at the Tennis Pro Shop or call to reserve a court at 561-995-1260.

Warm-up for matches will be available daily from 7:15-8am at the Polo Club (first come-first served). Once matches begin, players will check in at the tournament desk for a practice court with preference given to players having the next scheduled match. Players are expected to share and will be limited to 30 minute increments with four players to a court.

Need some practice on clay before the tournament begins??? Player drill sessions will be available Friday, July 14th from 3pm-5pm, Saturday, July 15th from 9am to 11am and 11am-1pm. The cost is 40.00 per player/session. To sign up call the Tennis Pro Shop at 561-995-1260. Space is limited so reserve a spot as soon as possible.

The Polo Club will be hosting a pizza party on Monday night, July 17th late afternoon/early evening, weather permitting. All players and families are welcome.

From 6:30-8:30pm on Tuesday, July 18th is player’s night at Boomer’s, weather permitting.

Play has been suspended due to lightning. Next update 10:30am