Tournament Rules

  1. Entering The Tournament
    1. Players must be 18 years of age or older during the calendar year.
    2. Players may only play in a division equal to or higher than their rating.
    3. Players may enter up to 3 divisions.
    4. Players can only enter 1 non-age related Singles division.
    5. Players can enter more than 1 doubles divisions but must play with different partners.
    6. In the Men's or Women's Doubles divisions, the level of the division will be that of the higher rated partner.
    7. 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).
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to place players in a different category than their USTA rating.
    11. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to consider a player's/team's results in other tournaments to help correctly place players.
         
  2. Scheduling Matches
    1. Match scheduling is the player's responsibility.
    2. 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.
    3. Matches must be played by the "Play By" date (deadline) listed at the top of each round.
    4. Depending on draw size, players will have 9-14 days to complete each Round.
    5. Players should contact their next opponent immediately after winning a round.
    6. 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.
    7. Deadlines can only be extended by 1 or 2 days, otherwise the decision goes to the default committee.
    8. 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.
         
  3. Scheduling Tips
    1. When scheduling a doubles match, partners should discuss the dates they are available to play before contacting their opponents.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
         
  4. Match Location/Surface
    1. 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 :-).
    2. If players live far away, they should try to find a court that is convenient for both parties.
    3. If an agreement on match location can not be reached, players should notify the Tournament Director (see Issue Resolving Tie-breaker below).
    4. 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
       
  5. Court Reservations
    1. Court reservations are the players responsibility. 
    2. 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.
       
  6. Playing Matches
    1. 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.
    2. 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).
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Each player/team brings a can of balls to the match.  The winners keep the unopened can.
    6. No one is to observe or coach by sitting or standing on the courts.
    7. No beepers or cell phones to be heard on court.
    8. Players should bring their opponent's contact information with them and contact their opponent if they are running late.
    9. 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.
    10. The player who is at the court should make an attempt to reach the other player before declaring a default.
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. If a situation arises that is not covered by the rules in this section, then USTA rules should be applied.
         
  7. Canceling a Match
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
       
  8. Reporting Scores
    1. The winner should report the score online as soon as possible after the match is complete.
    2. Results should be posted online and will be reflected immediately on the website.
       
  9. Issue Resolving Tie-Breaker
    1. 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.
         
  10. Finals
    1. The finals will be held on Saturday & Sunday, April 15th & 16th.
    2. Match times will be posted on the website by the Thursday before the finals day.
    3. Courts will be reserved by the tournament.
    4. Balls will be provided.
    5. All finals matches must be played on or before the last Sunday - April 16th.