Tournament Rules
- Entering The Tournament
- Players must be 18 years of age or older during the calendar year.
- Players may only play in a division equal to or higher than their rating.
- Players may enter up to 3 divisions.
- Players can only enter 1 non-age related Singles division.
- Players can enter more than 1 doubles divisions but must play with different partners.
- In the Men's or Women's Doubles divisions, the level of the division will be that of the higher rated partner.
- In Mixed Doubles, partners can not be more than 1 full rating level apart (ex: 3.5 to 4.5 is 1 full rating point apart).
- If you do not have a rating or are unsure of your level, you can use the USTA NTRP guidelines to help you determine your level or you can contact the Tournament Director.
- If you played on a High School or College team please check the NTRP Guidelines listed above to make sure you are entering in the correct level.
- The Tournament Committee reserves the right to place players in a different category than their USTA rating.
- The Tournament Committee reserves the right to consider a player's/team's results in other tournaments to help correctly place players.
- Scheduling Matches
- Match scheduling is the player's responsibility.
- At the start of the tournament players receive an email for each division entered with their 1st round opponent's info. As a player moves on in the draw they will receive emails with their opponent's contact info and deadline to play as the opponent is determined.
- Matches must be played by the "Play By" date (deadline) listed at the top of each round.
- Depending on draw size, players will have 9-14 days to complete each Round.
- Players should contact their next opponent immediately after winning a round.
- Extensions - for extenuating circumstances only - to play past the posted deadline can only be granted by the Tournament Director. Requests must be made more than 48 hours prior to the deadline.
- Deadlines can only be extended by 1 or 2 days, otherwise the decision goes to the default committee.
- If the Tournament Director is not notified prior to 48 hours of the deadline, then a coin flip may be used to decide which player/team will advance to the next round to keep the tournament on schedule.
- Scheduling Tips
- When scheduling a doubles match, partners should discuss the dates they are available to play before contacting their opponents.
- Players should not depend on Emails to schedule matches. If an email has gone unreturned for 1-2 days or a deadline is approaching it is best to use the telephone.
- If a player knows that he/she will be out of town or otherwise unable to play during a period of the tournament, they should be proactive &make every effort to contact their opponent(s) and schedule their match as early as possible.
- Match Location/Surface
- Matches can be played at any location convenient and agreed upon by the players.
(Note: Court Etiquette: If you arrange to play a match at a location where you are a member and the other person has to pay a fee, make sure they know that ahead of time, and maybe split the cost :-).
- If players live far away, they should try to find a court that is convenient for both parties.
- If an agreement on match location can not be reached, players should notify the Tournament Director (see Issue Resolving Tie-breaker below).
- If an agreement on court surface can not be agreed upon and one player/team, when entering the tournament, selected the clay court preference/need option, then the court surface will default to clay
- Court Reservations
- Court reservations are the players responsibility.
- We try to work out reduced pricing for tournament matches with facilities in the area - please check the website home page for any deals we have.
- Playing Matches
- Matches will be best two out of three sets, regular scoring. A 12-point tie breaker (first to 7 by 2) is played at 6 games all.
- The 3rd set will be a 10-point super tie-breaker (first to 10 by 2). If all players agree, a full 3rd set can played. This should be decided before the match starts. All finals will be 3 full sets (except age divisions which will have a 10-point tie-breaker in lieu of a 3rd set).
- Tie-Breaks will use standard format - switch sides every 6 points. In Doubles, if all players agree, the USTA tie-break format can be used - play 1 point and switch sides every 4 points.
- If there is not enough court time left for a 3rd set and the players cannot re-schedule before the “play by” date, then the 3rd set super tie-breaker should be used.
- Each player/team brings a can of balls to the match. The winners keep the unopened can.
- No one is to observe or coach by sitting or standing on the courts.
- No beepers or cell phones to be heard on court.
- Players should bring their opponent's contact information with them and contact their opponent if they are running late.
- Play should begin within 15 minutes of the scheduled match start time. If a player is more than 15 minutes late and has not contacted the opponent, the missing player can be defaulted.
- The player who is at the court should make an attempt to reach the other player before declaring a default.
- In the case of a rain delay during the match, play should continue as soon as possible. Remember the sides and the score - play must resume exactly where it was stopped.
- If an issue arises during the match with line calls, behavior, etc, the match should suspended and the players should contact the Tournament Director. The match can be continued with a tournament representative present.
- If a situation arises that is not covered by the rules in this section, then USTA rules should be applied.
- Canceling a Match
- If a match is cancelled on the same day it is to be played and it is before the deadline for the round, then the player/team canceling can be defaulted if the other player/team is not available to play before the deadline or a tournament approved 1-2 day extension.
- If a match is cancelled and it is already being played after the deadline with an approved extension, then the player/team canceling will be defaulted unless the other player/team is willing and available to play at a later tournament approved date.
- Reporting Scores
- The winner should report the score online as soon as possible after the match is complete.
- Results should be posted online and will be reflected immediately on the website.
- Issue Resolving Tie-Breaker
- If the players have in situation that can not be agreed upon (ex: play on hard/clay), the following tie-breaker will be used:
- There will be a 3-way telephone call with the players (or a team representative).
- The players will choose odd or even.
- The choices will then be compared to the next mid-day lotto drawing's final number as to whether it is odd or even.
- Finals
- The finals will be held on Saturday & Sunday, April 15th & 16th.
- Match times will be posted on the website by the Thursday before the finals day.
- Courts will be reserved by the tournament.
- Balls will be provided.
- All finals matches must be played on or before the last Sunday - April 16th.