Tennistour






		Rules
		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 20% 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. 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.

Rules