USTA rules govern
play except areas where the rules below state otherwise.
USTA
rules.pdf
Rankings
The
league starts using the previous season's rankings. New players are
placed at the bottom of the tour ranking in the order that they sign
up.
There is
a maximum number of positions players can move up with each win depending
on the month. Note that you may challenge anyone on the ladder, no
matter how high.
First Month-Move up a maximum
30% of the rankings with each win
Second Month-Move up a maximum 20% of the rankings with each win
Third Month-Playoffs, move up a maximum 15% of the rankings
Note:the maximum is always at least 5 spots.
Challengers take
the rank of the defender if their challenge is successful and if the
defender was within the maximum number of positions or less above
them.
If the defender
is higher than the maximum allowed then the challenger will move up
the ladder the maximum amount.
If you are challenged
and lose you move down one spot regardless of the challenger's rank.
No ranking change
occurs if a challenge is unsuccessful.
Two
Week Rule
It is to your benefit to play matches within the two
week periods. The two week periods run from the beginning of the month
to the 15th and from the 16th to the end of the month.
At the end of
every two week period (end of play on the 15th, and the last day of
the month), starting from the bottom, players that have played a match
are moved up the ladder until they bump into another a player that
has played a match. Then the player that was bumped into is moved
up the ladder until that player bumps into another player that played
a match. You can move up the ladder very quickly simply by playing
matches regardless of whether you win or lose.
After players are moved up the ladder, the same process is used to
move players that haven't played down the ladder, starting from the
top. So, If you haven't played a match during the two week time period
you will be moved down the ladder an unlimited number of positions
until you bump into someone else that hasn't played. Then that person
will be moved down until they bump into someone.
If no one players
during the two week period, the person that challenges the most people
with be moved to No. 1.
Challenges
Players
may challenge anyone on the ladder, regardless of tier.
A
player issues a challenge by phone or email.
You may not challenge
the same player within a two week period, unless you have challenged
someone else after your first challenge.
A player issued
a direct challenge must respond within one week of
receiving the challenge with a time and location that he/she is able
to play. Failure to reply to challenge will result in a three position
rankings drop penalty.
You may log your
challenge emails with the Tour by cc: challenge@tennistour.org
It is courteous
to respond to match scheduler requests but not required.
Etiquette
Rules
The lower ranked player provides
a new can of balls.
Challenger attempts
to play at the higher ranking player's location.
Report un
sportsmanlike conduct to the tour.
This includes:
Match no-show
Arguing your line calls
Blatant repeated line calling errors
Inappropriate language
Racket abuse
Two complaints
from two separate individuals results in a warning. Three complaints
from separate individuals will result in your removal from the league.
You may be removed
at anytime for any reason
Changing
Match Scheduling
If you change an agreed to match time or cancel a match you must get
confirmation from your opponent. This will likely require a phone
call.
Defaults
A
default results in the defaulted player moving down one spot.
Defaults can
result if a player is over 15 minutes late for a match or if a player
cancels a match less than 24 hours prior to match time.
The Puget Sound
Tennis Tour reserves the right to remove any participant from the
league at any time, move a player into a different division, or reject
a match result or score, all without reimbursement.
Line
Calling
For
many this is the first time playing organized competitive tennis.
Here is a summary of how players should call lines without an umpire:
Players
call balls only on their side of the court
Players
on the opposite side of the court may ask for verification on a
call but they can not argue the call beyond that.
A ball
must be 100% outside of the lines to be out. If a ball barely hits
the edge of the line then it is considered 100% in. Basically, if
you can not see space between the ball and the line then you should
call it in. Try to give the benefit of the doubt.
If everyone does this, the calls will even out and it will help
avoid arguments.
Reporting
Scores
Winning
players must report scores on the web site within three days
of match play.
Match
Rules
2 out of 3 sets,
ad scoring, with 12 point tie break if needed.
A shorter length
match may be played if both players agree.
Default request
can be made if opponent is 15 minutes late.
A match that
has begun must be continued until completion unless agreed to by
both players.
Either player
may stop a match for safety reasons such as darkness or weather.
The player that
is unable to complete the match is defaulted unless the match suspension
is agreed upon by both players.
Vacation
or Injury
You
can notify the Tour Director that you will be away on vacation or
out with injury
-unavail will
be added to your city name.
Your only penalty
for not playing is the standard two week rule that applies to everyone.
Notify the Tour
Directory when you are ready to resume Tour matches.
Final
Tournament in Masters Cup Format
The final tournament is optional.
- Regular length
Tour matches
- Draws are
posted on the web site
- Players have
one week to set up and play their matches
- Everyone is
eligible to play
- Brackets set
up for each eight person Tier. (Place yourself into the top eight
rankings for a shot at the championship)
- Draws are
set up in Masters Cup format with everyone playing three round robin
matches. Then the top two out of each section move on to the semi-finals.
- The winner
of each tier takes over the top ranking for that tier.
