Players
The LowCountry Tennis Associations runs local league tennis programs throughout Charleston, Berkeley, Colleton and Dorchester counties. With players ranging in age from 18 to 80, we have the second highest participation of any area in the South including areas many times our size. The more players we have, the better!
For 18+ teams, matches consist of three doubles and two singles courts. For 40+ teams, matches consist of three doubles and one singles courts. Seniors play three doubles courts.
To play USTA League Tennis, you need: a place to play, a USTA membership, and a rating.
Charleston has some of the finest facilities in the Southeast. If you are not already a member of one, go to our FACILITIES page to learn a more about places to play tennis in the Charleston area. The facility that you join can also help you find a team.
To join the USTA, go to their MEMBERSHIP PAGE and follow the instructions to join. It’s easy and your membership includes a subscription to TENNIS magazine!
To join a team, you will need your USTA membership number and your team number (provided by your captain) to register on TENNISLINK.
As a new player, you will be asked to determining a self rating (if you do not already have a previous USTA rating). The main TENNISLINK page will walk you through the self-rating process. At the top of the TENNISLINK page, select “NTRP Rating Help” for tips and instructions. Answering the questionnaire during registration will help you decide the appropriate level for you to play. Our levels range from 2.5 for true beginners to 4.5 for advanced league players. 5.0 and above players do not play a local league, but advance directly to Sectional or National playoffs. By far, our largest levels are 3.0 and 3.5, with the 4.0 level quickly growing.
NEW PLAYER LIAISON
If you are a new Player, you may need some help. The LCTA has established a New Player Liaison job for just that purpose. Charlotte Gerber, our liaison, will help you find a team or a facility. She can give you advice on other things too, like how to ‘self-rate’.
Charlotte is happy to help you! You can reach her at charlottetennis@hotmail.com or by phone at 843-330-0014
GOT QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?
We would love to hear from you. Send us your suggestions and questions here.
LCTA POLICIES
The following policies were updated in November of 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I locate the Captain’s Report (or a captain’s telephone number) in TennisLink?
A: Log on to TennisLink using your USTA number. Go to your team page. In the upper right hand corner is the nameof your flight and/or subflight, if applicable. Click on the flight name (or subflight, if shown) and on the next page, click on Team Captain’s Report.
Q: I’m a Captain and have lost my team number. How do I find it?
A: Log on to TennisLink using your USTA number. Go to your team page. Select the “Player Roster” tab beside Team Summary. The team number is next to your team name.
Q: Does the LCTA have a cold (or hot) weather rule?
A: No, there is not a set rule regarding simply cold or hot weather. Our regulations allow the home team captain, as the final arbiter with or without the visiting captain’s consent, to make the final decision as to whether the match will be played or postponed based upon their assessment of inclement weather conditions, which is defined as weather that is unpleasantly or dangerously cold, hot and/or wet / other, at match time. Obviously, if the home team facility determines that inclement weather conditions preclude use of their courts for safety/court and/or liability issues, then the match will necessarily be postponed to a later date.
Q: When should match scores be reported and which captain should report them ?
A: Match scores must be entered into the TennisLink system within 48 hours after the completion of the match. The winning captain should enter the match scores, although either captain has the capability to do so.
Q: What is the rule regarding the timing of makeup matches?
A: Within 48 hours of a match postponement, a makeup date should be scheduled and the league coordinator notified. The date of the makeup match must be within 2 weeks of the original match date. If captains are unable to agree to a makeup match date, our regulations state that the match will the scheduled for the first following Saturday at 2 pm.
Q: How many below-level players may I have on my team?
A: Beginning in the 2022 Spring Season, LCTA will allow up to (6) below level players to play on a team that has at least (6) at level players.
Q: I have a question about tennis rules. Where can I find an answer?
A: Our local league program is covered by National, Sectional, State and Local regulations, in addition to The Code. If you are unable to find an answer to your rule questions, please direct your inquiry to your Level Coordinator.
Q: I am a 3.0-rated player. Can I play on a 4.0 team?
A: No, you can only play one level above your current rating.
Q: Who Can Call a LET Scenario: You see a ball rolling onto an adjacent court to a spot behind a player. You fear the player may step or trip on the ball and sustain an injury? Can you call a “let” to stop play on that court?
A: NO. Only an official or a player on the affected court may call a let. A player may call a let only on the player’s court.
