Hi Parents,
I’m Ivan Krcelic, a Professional tennis player and coach at Tennis-Prime in Fort Lee and Edgewater (Independence Harbor), and owner of Rally Zone in Jersey City and Union City. I’m thrilled to share our tournament pathway for junior players who are ready to step into competition.

I know how hard it is to understand a complete guide to get your child into tournaments. Over the past 15 years, I’ve helped parents with this pathway, built the number-1 player in New York, and prepared Division I-level athletes. If you’ve heard of Horace Mann, Riverdale, and  Dwight-Englewood School, many top players have been crafted in our Tennis-Prime academy. But that’s not the main point—my goal is to help every parent navigate and understand this journey.

Below, I explain how we’ll guide your child through tournament play. At the end of this post, you’ll find blog articles I’ve written over the years, drawing on my experience coaching national champions and top-tier varsity players across New Jersey and New York City. 

1. School Stage: 10 & Under – Orange / Green Ball

Orange Ball (ages 7-10):
At this stage, we use slower, softer balls and smaller courts so kids hit more, move more, and develop faster. Tournaments for 10 & Under often include orange ball divisions.

Green Ball (ages 9-11/12):
Players move to full-sized courts and green-dot or standard balls. This transition often involves a “trial period” under the UTR Sports Color Ball Rating (CBR) system. UTR Sports+1

What this means for your player at Tennis-Prime:

• If your child is 10 or under and playing orange or green balls, we encourage tournament exposure in this age-appropriate format.

• It’s important to start competing young. We prioritize exposure and experience over wins or losses—some kids will push forward, others will play for fun.

• We’ll train match-play (serves, scoring, movement) so they feel comfortable in tournament settings.

• We’ll also ensure they understand expectations: being on time, proper attire, scoring knowledge, or having a coach walk with them.
  
  

Useful link: 10 & Under Tennis info – United States Tennis Association (USTA)

2. Next Stage: USTA Junior Tournaments

Where to begin:
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) Junior Tournaments are structured in levels from Level 7 (beginner-intermediate) to Level 1 (national elite). For newer tournament players, starting at Level 7 is recommended—it features shorter matches and beginner-friendly formats.

NOTE: If your child is under 10, they should follow the orange→green pathway until they’re ready for yellow balls, which are required for Level 7 events.

How to register:

1. Ensure your child has a USTA junior membership.
   

2. Use USTA TennisLink to search for tournaments near Fort Lee / Jersey City and register in the appropriate age division.
   

3. The system may feel complicated at first—most tournaments are local and recurring. With experience, it becomes easier.
   

What to expect:

• Tournaments may be one-day events—ideal for newer players.
  

• If your child has a tournament on a Saturday, plan ahead with class make-ups or schedule tweaks; we’ll coordinate.
  

• No pressure for perfection; the aim is learning, progress, and enjoyment. And yes—ice cream after the match is encouraged!
  

• Even in the 10 & Under division, some events still use modified balls or courts.
  

Recommended steps for Tennis-Prime players:

• Parent + coach review upcoming orange/green ball or Level 7 tournaments 4-8 weeks in advance. Our job: coaching; your job: registration.
  

• Register once your child is comfortable with scoring, serving, and match-play (Helpful resources:
  
  How to keep scoring
  Tennis for kids: Basic rules)
  

• Use the tournament for experience, not just winning. After each even,t we will debrief: what went well? What to improve?
  

• Once your child consistently wins at that level, we’ll consider moving up to yellow ball events or higher levels.
  

3. UTR / Color Ball Rating & Match-Play System

The UTR system includes the Color Ball Rating (CBR) for players 12 & under (red, orange, green ball stages). It tracks progress and transitions between ball types.

 For example: moving from orange → green often involves a “trial period” of about five green-ball matches before the new level counts. 

 Over time, when players begin using standard yellow balls, they build a full UTR rating—a system widely recognized in junior and collegiate tennis. 

NOTE: I recommend UTR or match-play events only when your child uses standard yellow balls. These events often occur on Sunday evening (6-8 pm). Register at: UTRSports.net

4. Define Your Goal

If we’re in this for the long run—and I believe we are—let’s set a strong but realistic goal. Suppose your child is 10 now and we have 5–6 years ahead: aiming for 30-40 matches per year results in 150–200 matches over 5 years. Numbers don’t lie.

 At Tennis-Prime, we’ve coached multiple national & international champions—including NYC’s #1—so we know what the pathway looks like.

As a parent:

• Let’s craft the goal together with your child—not just for them.
  

• Set aside ego—it’s about them, not you.
  

• Decide: recreational? high school? national level?
   We’ll help if you follow the steps. No magic—they’re just the right steps.
  

5. Step-by-Step Timeline for Tennis-Prime Players

• Weeks 1–4: Training & readiness—match-play drills, scoring knowledge, serve consistency, confidence building.
  

• Weeks 4–8: Select the first tournament (local orange/green or Level 7) and register.
  

• Pre-tournament prep: Meet with the coach about arrival time, equipment, and attitude.
  

• Tournament day: Arrive early, warm up, follow rules, keep score. Parent accompanies; coach guides.
  

• Post-match debrief: We review performance—what worked and what to improve.
  

• Repeat & progress: After 1–2 events, evaluate readiness to move up (green → yellow → higher levels).