What happens if my child is late for a match?

Question

Accepted Answer

Your child must check in at the tournament desk before the scheduled match time, and isn't considered "arrived" until checked in, dressed, equipped and ready to play (USTA Reg. IV.A.2). Players are responsible for knowing their match times (Reg. IV.A.3).

Penalties for best-of-three matches, including those with a match tiebreak (Table 16):

Late by	Penalty
5 minutes or less	Loss of toss + 1 game
5:01 to 10 minutes	Loss of toss + 2 games
10:01 to 15 minutes	Loss of toss + 3 games
More than 15 minutes	Default

Short-set formats have smaller penalties (maximum 2 games). The Referee may decide not to default, or reverse a default, after considering the circumstances, and a default can be appealed to the Tournament Appeals Committee (Reg. IV.D.21).