ALTA Tennis Rules

The Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA), an affiliate of the Southern Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association (USTA), has a membership of over 80,000 tennis enthusiasts that reside in greater metropolitan Atlanta. ATLA registered with the United States Lawn Tennis Association, the direct predecessor of USTA, in 1934 and adopted their rules of play to cover any aspects that are not covered clearly by ATLA rules.



The most important ALTA overall rule is that coaching is illegal. Sandbagging is not permitted at any level.

  1. Adult Rules

    • Annual membership fees are $20, and members must be at least 18 years old to play in the Adult League. Players who are 45 years of age or older may play in the Seniors Leagues. Members are only allowed to play in one match each dual meet.

      Home teams are require to pay visiting teams court fees, and players should play a minimum of two matches during any given season to ensure eligibility for playoffs. Team captains from both the home and the visiting team are required to meet at least four days prior to a match to conduct all of the planning for the match.

    Junior Rules

    • Annual membership fees are $10 for players 18 and under.. Players can only play on one team in one league in one season. Team managers are required to meet at the beginning of every dual meet to exchange necessary team information and lineups.

      Other sections of the rules include Dual Meets, Penalties and Forfeitures, Increment Weather and Scoring.

    Wheelchair League Rules

    • Annual membership fees are $20. All Wheelchair League members must be at least 16 years of age and a player may only be on one team during a season. Teams are allows to use courts with any surface. However, two courts must always be reserved, if not adjacent, a minimum of 700 feet apart.

      Both team captains must communicate via telephone at least four days prior to a match to conduct all of the planning for the match.

      Other sections of the rules include Dual Meets, Penalties and Forfeitures, Increment Weather and Scoring and Playoffs.