Natomas Junior Super Series

I am really sorry but we were not able to even get out and try to dry the courts. The weather is still rather unbecoming - wet, cold, and raining. We hope you enjoy the rest of the day, and we thank all of you for your patience. Thank you for coming yesterday despite the cold and the uncertainty.


Please note that Petar (petar@gamesmarttennis.com) from Game Smart Tennis will have all videos of the matches that were played available until December 16, 2019. His website is: www.matchbox.tennis. You may place orders on line on his website. Feel free to call him for any questions.

We wish all of you the best for a happy and peaceful holiday season. Enjoy your families, friends, and loved ones. We hope to see you in the new year.

We have not even had a chance yet to try and dry the courts. It is still wet and raining. If we get a window, we would need at least three hours to get the courts dry in these conditions. Rain is forecast to continue and to get heavier in the afternoon. It does not look good at this point. Please expect an update at noon for a tournament cancellation. Even if we could start to dry the courts now, we would be looking at a 2 or 3 PM start time, which would not allow us enough time to play reasonably.

We are soaked. The courts are very wet. More rain is anticipated to come. We will reassess at 10 AM today. At this time, it looks very doubtful that we will be able to get the courts dry for play by noon and then have a reasonable window in which to play. We will touch bases at 10 AM.


If you do not have a match time for today, you are not scheduled to play. We tried to get everyone through to the semifinals in all divisions as best we could.

It is still very wet here with what appears to be more rain on the way. The draws were scheduled to try to get everyone through the semis in the main draw and the consolation with the same format of using the match tiebreak in lieu of the third set. Even if everything should go our way, we will not finish the tournament entirely, but we will do our best.

Petar from Game Smart Tennis wanted me to remind you that if you would like any type of video play of your matches to feel free to contact him directly. His website is: www.matchbox.tennis


Next update is 7 AM tomorrow.

Well, it was pouring rain when we left Natomas. The courts were definitely not playable. We hope everyone traveled safely home.
It looks like there will be rain all night long - and so we do not expect the courts to be dry in the morning at all. In addition, it also looks like there will be rain in the morning tomorrow that will extend through the entire day. It looks very iffy that we will be able to finish the tournament tomorrow.

There will be an update at 7 AM tomorrow am, and we will go from there. Please note that we will not start any matches tomorrow before noon, and if the courts remain wet, we will cancel the tournament at noon because there will be no way that we can get them dry in time to play reasonably before the 6 PM deadline for a school night.

I will be taking the current draws down because I will reschedule them for tomorrow. Please be aware that we will need to finish those matches that were started today but not finished before we can move on. A start time of 12 noon will be used, but again, if the courts are still wet, we may not be able to play.

Due to rain, we have cancelled the day. Please check the website for updates tonight and tomorrow starting at 7 AM. Matches will not happen before noon tomorrow, if we can play.

We cannot formally cancel the tournament until noon tomorrow. Again, please check the website for updates.

The courts have been checked and cleaned today. They are dry and ready for play. We are planning to play tomorrow as scheduled. If rain should occur, we will immediately notify you by the tournament webpage, but as of now we will not be able to cancel matches unless the courts become wet and unsafe. Natomas does not open until 7 AM for those of you who wish to warm-up there. Rio del Oro will not be available to us until noon. Please do not use the courts there until that time. At Rio del Oro, we will be located across the street from the clubhouse and main tennis courts.

Should the tournament be stopped and then cancelled due to inclement weather, those who have not completed a match will be entitled to a refund of the tournament fee less $2.00. If you withdraw prior to the tournament being cancelled, your match is considered played, and so you are not entitled to a refund.

Please check your draws. Due to some withdrawals and subsequent placement of alternates, your spot in the draw may have changed as well as the time of your first match. Some of the seedings have also changed. Please check your draws often now. There will be changes that will post before we can notify you by email.

We will be changing the format tomorrow for all matches – we will be using a 10-point Match Tiebreak in lieu of the third set, regular scoring, with a 3-minute break between second and third sets if the players split sets. Players may receive coaching during this 3-minute break near the court in sight of the officials.

Drive safely. Traffic into Sacramento is usually quite bad, and this is a holiday weekend. So be careful.

We will do our best with the rain forecast, but please remember that inclement weather is out of our hands. We can only do our best when it happens.

The draws and schedules have been posted. Please be aware that on Saturday, there are two sites of play and where you play is listed on your draw. Please show up at the correct site of play for your matches. Natomas is the main site and Rio del Oro is the satellite site. Rio will not be open for play until 12 noon on Saturday. On Sunday, everything will be at Natomas. Practice courts are listed on the tournament website.

Please note that if there is a withdrawal that can be replaced with an alternate, that the groupings and seedings may change. We will try to notify you by email when this happens, but always check your draws to make sure of changes often!

All matches will be the best of three tiebreak sets, unless the format is changed for inclement weather. All players should expect to play three matches – two on Saturday and one on Sunday. Again, if you must withdraw for an illness or injury at the tournament site, please make sure you talk to the tournament director or to the referee – otherwise a note will be required to excuse your withdrawal and hence the assessment of suspension points.

Unfortunately, the weather may not cooperate. Please understand that by NorCal rule, we cannot call the tournament for the day until 12 noon on that day. However, we will try to keep everyone updated as best we can on the potential for play as soon as we know it. With the winter sun and the cold, if the courts do get wet, it will take a while to get them dry. So we will be making calls with the predicted weather forecast and the actual state of the courts on Saturday and Sunday. We will try as best we can to give a three-hour window (if not longer) as best we can. Please check the tournament website often so that you can stay on top of the changes.

Our first update will occur on Friday evening, and then others will follow as needed.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to email the tournament director and the referee.

We just wanted to let you know that Petar from Game Smart Tennis will be on-site at Natomas Sports Club during the tournament to offer videography and analytics services. All matches from this tournament (both sites) will be recorded and available for purchase. For more info about his service, pricing and orders please visit www.matchbox.tennis.
more info

NorCal has by regulation through today to complete the lists for selection and grouping the Super Series draws. We will publish the selections when they become available to us. If there is a delay, we will inform you.

Tournament communication - please enter your email address when you register so that we might be able to reach you if there is a problem. If you do not enter your email address, you may not receive additional communications as needed. Please email the tournament director and the referee with all correspondence or questions. Do not call the front desk - we may not get your question or message. Check this website frequently for other information, weather updates, etc.

Description - this tournament is a singles-only tournament with two age group divisions, 14 and 18. Those players who normally would enter the 12s should enter the 14 division, and those who would normally enter the 16s should enter the 18 division. 32-players in each gender are selected for each age group. Players are placed into groups of 8-player compass draws by rating and gender. If draws are full, every player will have three matches to play regardless of whether the player wins or loses each match. This tournament plays over one weekend, November 30th – December 1st.

Format - 8-player compass draw groupings by rating with 4 compass draws per division. Best of three tiebreak sets, regular scoring, 10-minute mandatory rest period between second and third sets with new balls for the third set. Again, if the draws are full, each player should expect to play three matches!

Selections - Norcal will make the selections and seed the draws by UTR ratings.

General Information – On November 30th, Saturday only, matches will be held at Natomas Racquet Club (NRC), 2450 Natomas Park Dr, Sacramento, CA 95833; and our satellite site at Rio del Oro Sports Club (Rio), 119 Scripps Dr, Sacramento, CA 95825. Play will start at Rio del Oro at 12 PM. There will be no practice courts available there until matches start. The check-in desk at Rio del Oro will be located across the street from the main clubhouse. We will be playing on the courts located there. Please check your draws carefully for your site of play on Saturday. All matches will be played at Natomas Racquet Club on Sunday, December 1st.

Rules of Play: We applaud and expect good sportsmanship from all participants, including coaches and spectators. We are governed by the Code which dictates that benefit of line calls should always be in favor of the opponent when there is doubt. In a USTA NorCal Junior Tournament, a code violation under the Point Penalty System will be assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct when a player is overruled for the third time and for every subsequent overrule thereafter during the entire tournament. We operate under the NorCal Zero Tolerance Policy for behavior. Players should be familiar with the Point Penalty System and the USTA Junior Suspension Point System (SPS). Spectators should be aware that unsportsmanlike behavior by a spectator could result in dismissal from the site and possible assessment of penalties to your player.

Lateness penalties will be enforced. Players are expected to check and comply with all scheduling done by the Tournament Committee. A player is deemed to have arrived when the player checks in at the place designated for checking in and is properly clothed, equipped, and ready to play. The lateness penalty clock starts at the scheduled match time regardless of court availability.

Appropriate tennis attire, including non-marking shoes, is required for all matches. Clothing not considered proper tennis attire can include, but not be limited to:
• Sports bras worn alone (without a shirt).
• Shirts with references to sex, drugs, alcohol or tobacco.
• Compression shorts worn alone (not covered by shorts or a skirt).

Avoidances: in fairness to all players and to the tournament, avoidance requests cannot be specifically honored.

Please apply on time. Late requests to play may not be honored.

Withdrawals: We understand that players get hurt or sick and may have to withdraw from the tournament for that reason. If you have to withdraw for illness or injury, you must provide a medical note for verification of the withdrawal to have it excused. If a note is not provided, suspension points will apply for an unexcused withdrawal. If you get injured or sick at the tournament site and you do not feel that you can play in the next match, please see the referee to withdraw. If you have to retire a match for illness or injury, and if you cannot play in the next match, you will not be required to submit a note if you report this information to the tournament desk or referee before your next match is scheduled.

Practice Courts: Both Natomas Racquet Club and Rio del Oro Sports Club have hitting walls. Natomas Racquet Club opens at 7 AM and the courts will be open at that time for general warm-up. Matches will start at 8 AM. We will not be using Rio del Oro until 12 PM on Saturday when the courts are open. There may not be courts open prior to that time at Rio del Oro. We will not be using Rio del Oro on Sunday. Other practice court information is below.

Here is a list of public park tennis courts that may be available in the area. Natomas High School also has courts, but may be locked.

Orchard Park (two courts)
2936 W River Dr
Sacramento CA 95833

Northgate Park (tennis/futsal courts)
2825 Mendel Way
Sacramento CA

North Natomas Community Park (two courts)
1839 N. Bend Drive
Sacramento CA

Westlake Community Park (2 courts)
4700 Westlake Pkwy
Sacramento CA

Natomas High School (8 courts)
3301 Fong Ranch Road
Sacramento CA

Residence Inn by Marriott Sacramento Airport - Natomas
2618 Gateway Oaks Drive
Sacramento, CA 95833

Our extended-stay accommodations have spacious living, working and dining areas, and we are conveniently located near Sacramento International airport. Residence Inn by Marriott Sacramento Airport Natomas offers a courtesy shuttle, from 5AM -11PM, daily or enjoy free parking if arriving by car. Enjoy our complimentary amenities; a daily hot breakfast buffet, complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access, and in-room coffee. Our fitness center, outdoor pool and whirlpool will have you feeling energized and refreshed in no time.

Book your group rate for USTA NorCal Super Series by copying and pasting the link below or by hitting the "more info" link at the end of this information.
https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1548268997530&key=GRP&app=resvlink more info

Please let us know how we are doing and what we can do to make this tournament a better experience for you! If there is something that we are doing very well, please let us know that too! more info