Welcome to USTA/Virginia Tennis. We are excited about growing the game of tennis with you! As a part of our team, you can access several benefits that are unique to USTA/VT in addition to the national USTA benefits.

USTA/Virginia Tennis wants to help you take full advantage of your membership. Our member benefits pages explain existing benefits, and are updated every time we are able to provide new benefits to our members - so check back often.To become a member, please call 1-800-990-USTA(8782), or join online here.

FAQ's about Membership

Please Note: USTA Individual Membership Dues Increase, Effective January 2010

ANTICIPATED FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE

USTA MEMBERSHIP DUES INCREASE

JANUARY 2010

Q. I heard something about a dues increase – please explain?

A. The USTA has not raised dues in 4 years. The modest dues increase, which averages 5%, is necessary to help offset growing operational, postage and printing costs, but more importantly, to continue to provide great benefits, programs and services to our members. USTA membership remains a great value. The dues increase goes into effect on January 1, 2010.

Q. Why is a membership dues increase necessary? I heard the US Open was the most successful ever so why are new costs being passed on to members?

A. We have grown the membership program to continue to provide more opportunities for participation and more benefits in the last decade. Since that time, the rising costs of providing benefits and services have been absorbed entirely by the USTA. The dues increase is necessary to help offset growing operational, postage and printing costs, but more importantly, to continue to provide great benefits, programs and services to our members. USTA membership remains a great value – for instance, the increase for an adult one-year membership is only $2.00. That’s less than 17 cents a month!

Q. When does the increase take effect?

A. The increase is effective January 1, 2010

Q. When will I see the increase/new dues?

A. The new rates take effect upon renewal of your current membership. You will receive your renewal notice about two months before your membership is due to expire. When you renew, we encourage you to upgrade your membership to a 3 or 5-year term. You can take advantage of significant discounts and lock in the rate for a longer period with the added convenience of renewing only every 3 or 5 years.

Q. Why did I hear about the dues increase in the media (Newspaper, Magazine, TV, etc.)? Why didn’t I hear about the increase from you/USTA?

A. Since the dues increase only affects members at the time of renewal, we felt that personally notifying members through their renewal notices was more appropriate. We also want to manage the volume of calls coming into the Section office and the USTA Member Service Hotline, so lines can be kept open to service our members more effectively.

Q. How much is the increase? How much are the new dues?

A. The increase depends on your category of membership (see chart below) – on average, the dues

Increase is 5%. For an adult one-year membership, it’s only 17 cents a month!

Q. Is there any way I can lower my membership dues?

A. The best way to lower the cost of membership is to increase the length of the term. Upgrade to a 3 or 5-year membership and take advantage of significant discounts. You also lock-in your rate for a longer period of time and you will experience the added convenience of only renewing every 3 to 5 years. Here are the rates:

Q. I’m a lifetime member. Will the dues increase affect me?

A. Thank you for your support as a Lifetime Member! Because you have already paid your life member dues, there is no impact to you. For new life members, there will be no increase in 2010.

Q. What are the benefits of USTA membership?

A. USTA member benefits are as follows:

• Ability to play in USTA Leagues and Tournaments, USTA Jr. Team Tennis (a national youth tennis league for kids ages 6-18) as well as college play, adaptive play formats, USTA Flex Leagues and more;
• Subscriptions to TENNIS magazine and to USTA Magazine for Adult and Family members and SMASH magazine for Junior members;
• Preferred access and discounts on tickets to professional tennis tournaments throughout the country including the US Open as well as Member Appreciation Days;
• Discounts on tennis merchandise and apparel at USOpenShop.org and USTAshop.com;
• Discounts on tennis travel (destinations include major tennis tournaments around the world including the four Grand Slams) and tennis instruction;
• Member savings program providing discounts on travel, sports gear, hotels, entertainment, dining and more;
• Membership dues support NJTL chapters, Jr. Team Tennis, USTA League, refurbishing public courts in inner cities around the country and more. And it’s working! Our efforts have resulted in more people playing tennis. In fact, in 2009 we surpassed 30 million players!

Q. How does the USTA compare with other membership organizations?

A. USTA membership is a great value, especially when compared to other membership organizations. We are proud of the benefits we give our members and our support of American Tennis through the Davis Cup, the Fed Cup and the US Open, as well as the tennis programs and grants we offer throughout our communities. Monies raised through USTA membership benefit thousands of adults, seniors and children across the country.

In addition, our market research informs us that existing USTA members believe our membership offers good value for the money.

Q. Is there someone I can contact with other questions about my membership?

A. USTA Member Services can help you with all other membership questions. Feel free to call the Member Service Center at 1-800-990-USTA (8782) between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, or email questions to: memberservices@usta.com.

Printable FAQs for Dues Increase