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FAQs

Q: I've heard the $50,000 Natomas/USTA Men’s Professional Tennis Tournament event referred to as a "Challenger" tournament. What's a Challenger tournament?

A: Challenger tournaments along with Futures tournaments make up the USTA Pro Circuit. These events are a professional tennis player's stepping- stones to top tier USTA and ATP tour tournaments and majors such as the US Open.

USTA Tournament Structure

Higher level Challenger tournaments, such as the Natomas/USTA Men’s Professional Tennis Tournament showcase players with rankings from approximately 50 to 200 in the world.

The USTA Pro Circuit

*America’s gateway to tennis stardom
*Circuit started over 20 years ago
*The most comprehensive developmental tour in the world.

*Over 2,000 tournament players each year
*Professional tournament competition for:
-Pros beginning their careers
-Pros who previously have broken into major tour ranks and are looking to
-Top-ranked junior players

*Managed nationally by the USTA and executed by tournament staff
*USTA Pro Circuit is part of the ATP International Tennis Federation Men’s Circuit

Q: What's "International" about the tournament?
A: Players from all over the world participate in the tournament. This reflects the international character of tennis.

Q: How do the ATP Tour Rankings work?
A: The ATP Rankings is the worldwide computer rankings for men’s professional tennis. It is a ranking system that reflects both a player's performance in tournament play (Round Points) as well as his record against other players (Quality Points).

The ranking system is a 52-week, cumulative system in which the number of tournament results that comprise a player's ranking is capped at eighteen (18) Tournament results for Singles and fourteen (14) Tournament results for Doubles.

The results used to determine the players' ranking are the tournaments that have yielded the players' highest Ranking (Round and Quality) Points over the past fifty-two (52) weeks. The rankings determine player acceptances and seeds for all Tournaments.

Q: How good are the players participating in the Natomas/USTA $50,000 Men’s Professional Tennis Tournament?
A: The stature of this tournament is emphasized by the fact that many players go on to participate in the Grand Slams and other major tennis tournaments around the world.

Q: Are the Natomas/USTA Tournament Challenger players mostly college players and club pros?
A: No. They are ATP touring pros. They play tennis tournaments around the world for a living. They eat, sleep, and breathe tennis.

Detailed information about players participating in this year's tournament is available soon.

Q: Can I learn anything from attending the Natomas/USTA Challenger that will help my own tennis game?
A: Definitely! You can pick up many things by watching tennis pros from a few yards off the court that you won't see or fully appreciate on TV, no matter how close the camera zooms in. Crucial skills like footwork, racquet preparation, energy, player and ball speed, quickness, aggressively attacking the ball, angles, change of pace and use of spin can't be truly appreciated by watching tennis on TV.

Did you ever get the feeling watching pros on TV that you could go out there and hang with them for at least a few points or return those slow 85 mph second serves? Watching pro tennis live will permanently rid you of this illusion!

Q: How much prize money are the Natomas/USTA Challenger players competing for?
A: There is $50,000 in total prize money awarded along with valuable ATP ranking points. The winner gets $7,700 and second place is awarded $4,200 while each member of the winning doubles team receives $2,800 and the runners-up $1,500.

Here's the prize money and ranking points awarded in the singles competition:

Main Draw:

First: $7,700 (35) Runner-up: $4,200 (24.5) Semis: $2,300 (15.5) Quarters: $1,300 (8.5) Round of 16: $800 (5) Round of 32: $500 (1)

Qualifying:

Final Round: $300 (2) Round of 16: $150 (1.5) Round of 32: $100 (1)

Q: How are players selected to participate in the Natomas/USTA Challenger?
A: A player can get into the main draw of the tournament in one of four ways:

1) If their world ranking is approximately #150 or greater they often gain direct entry into the main draw of the tournament.

2) If their world ranking is roughly #150-600 they can play in the qualifying tournament, which begins on Saturday before the main draw. The 4 players who win all 3 of their matches in the qualifying tournament gain entry into the main draw.

3) One of the players who lost in the last round of qualifying is selected via a random drawing and may get into the main draw if a spot opens up due to the withdrawal of one of the main draw players. The replacement player is called the "lucky loser."

4) Local tournament officials as well as USTA officials can give any player they choose entry into the main draw or the qualifying tournament. These players are referred to as "wildcards." Typically, there are 2-4 wild card entries into both the qualifying and main draws.

Q: Are there any Northern Californians playing in the Natomas/USTA Challenger?
A: Entries close three weeks prior to the event. Please check back to see which up and coming Northern Californian players will be joining us.

Q: What's the size of the main draw?
A: 32 in the singles draw and 16 teams in the doubles draw.

The main singles draw typically consists of 25 direct entries, 4 players from the qualifying tournament and 3 wild-card entries.

Q: Why should I attend the Natomas/USTA Challenger?
A: 1. Experience the high energy, speed, and athleticism of pro tennis up close for little or no cost. Pro tennis from a distance of 15 feet is a whole lot different than what you experience on TV or in a cavernous stadium. Trust me!

2. See and meet the players of the future "up close and personal." When watching the finals of the US Open on TV you'll be able to say, "Hey, I saw him at the Natomas/USTA Challenger."

3. Support the growth of Sacramento and Northern California tennis and aid the efforts of local organizers working to attract more prestigious USTA events to this area.

4. Get your kids excited about the game of a lifetime. Will they be playing soccer, football, or hockey when they're 35 years old? It's doubtful. Seeing some of the world's best pros in action up close is a powerful inspiration for tennis players of all ages and abilities.

Q: I have a pesky day job and can't attend day matches on weekdays.

Don’t make excuses! Main draw featured evening matches are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings Admission is free from October 3rd thru October 9th.

Q: Who is responsible for organizing the Natomas/USTA Challenger?
A: The tournament is a United States Tennis Association Circuit Event that is officially sanctioned by the USTA and the ATP. However, most of the logistical and organizational work is the responsibility of Tournament Director, Glenn Davis. He is assisted by Natomas Director of Tennis, Brian Martinez and a crew of dedicated volunteers.

Q: Can I volunteer to work at the Challenger?
A: Definitely! You can be a part of the action. Meet the players and help make the Natomas/USTA Challenger a success. Call Christine Kojima (916-230-7792) and let her know that you want to help.

Q: Is there a phone number I can call for additional details and information about the Natomas/USTA $50,000 Men’s Professional Tennis Tournament?
A: Yes. Call 916-649-0909 ext 36