Ranking: To determine starting positions on the ladder, players will be drawn from a hat on TBD. This ranking will be updated on Capo tennis website. Any players who add after the first week will be added to the bottom of the ladder.
Challenging: You may only challenge/accept one challenge per week. Challenges should be made by calling or e-mailing other players. Players must accept the challenge within 48 hours from the moment you are challenged otherwise you are automatically forfeit the match and your opponent will take your place on the ladder. When challenging, you may only challenge within three positions above or below yourself on the ladder. For example, if you are 8th on the ladder, you may only challenge the 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th place players. Invalid challenges may be played, but are not used in adjustment of ladder position. If a player fails to respond to a challenge or declines a challenge, they will forfeit by default. Any player under challenge cannot accept a second challenge until the first challenge is played. The match must be played before 6PM on Sunday so the winner can record the score. Although you forfeit matches you decline, this process will keep the ladder moving and allow players to participate in more matches.
Positions: on the ladder following completion of a match change as follows:
- If the winner has the higher position, there is no change.
- If the winner has the lower position, he or she takes over the higher position. The loser and all others below the winner move down one position. The calculation is based on the positions of the two players when the match is recorded, not those at the time the challenge is made. It's not unusual to find the positions of the players have changed during that interval; please observe good sportsmanship and play your match even if you find your respective positions have changed. The calculations are made each Sunday at noon, regardless of holidays, so make sure you get your weekend results in before then.
- A player who is challenged must agree to a match with the challenger if the challenger is within a fair range to be played no later than one week after the challenge is made unless: A. The challenged player already has at least two other matches to play. B. The challenged player is unable to play due to injury, vacation, etc. C. The two parties cannot mutually agree on a date and time of a match.
- Each player is expected to play at least one match every week, otherwise HE or SHE will be dropped THREE positions. The number one player is exempted from this requirement.
Balls: Each player brings a new can of balls and one can is used for the match; winner keeps unopened can and loser keeps the used can.
Scoring: Play 2 out of 3 sets. If the set goes to 6-6, play a 12-point tie-breaker (first to win more than 6 points and lead by at least 2 points). If the match cannot be completed due to weather or other reasons, the player leading at that point shall be considered winner; if the match is tied at that point, the challenger shall be considered loser.
Reporting the score: It is the responsibility of the winner of the match to report the score, regardless of whether any change in positions occurs. If the winner cannot report the score, make sure the loser does so; this helps ensure both players remain active and not lose their positions due to inactivity. Scores should be sent to Coach Terri or Coach Kristi no later than 6PM on SUNDAY.
Field of play: The challenger of the match is responsible for finding the tennis court. After challenging another player who accepts, both players must find a time that works best for both of them as earlier as possible so as soon as possible to allow for more matches to be played. The challenger may select a time and location of the match; however, the time and location must be mutually agreeable with both players.
Rewards: The top two players at the end of ladder challenge period will earn an automatic berth on JV or Varsity the following year.
Duration of the Season: The Tennis Ladder will be open to challenges from 2/27/09.
Sportsmanship: Good sportsmanship is essential in match play. If there is a sportsmanship problem during a match please report it to Coach Terri or Coach Kristi.
Rules: The Rules of Tennis will apply to all challenge matches so please become familiar with such rules. These rules may be found at USTA.com.