Rules

Here are the guidelines for the ladder:    

RULES:

1. It is up to the challenger to make contact with their opponent. You may challenge anyone else on the ladder, up to and including 3 places above you. (The attached document has the rankings and the contact details).
2. The initial ranking of the players on the ladder was set up by the team captains - so don't shoot the messenger! They are not up for debate, let the ladder tell the story in a few months time!
3. New players can join the ladder at any moment. When you join the ladder, you may challenge any player within the bottom 5 positions of the ladder as your first challenge. However, choose carefully whomever you challenge as this is a unique opportunity. If you lose the first match you will then unfortunately start at the bottom of the ladder. (This only includes players not currently ranked on the ladder).
4. A player who is challenged must agree to a match with the challenger no later than two weeks after the challenge has been made unless:
   1. The challenged player already has 1 other matches to play
   2. The challenged player is unable to play due to injury, holiday etc.
   3. The two players cannot mutually agree on a date and time for a match.
5. The challenger is responsible for providing new or at least fit for purpose tennis balls for the match.
6. It is the responsibility of the winner of the match to report the score to Mike Dunleavy (07770 872730, mdunleavy@aol.com).
7. The time of the match should be mutually agreed to by both players - but be sure to check the club web site to make sure of court availability re coaching sessions and club matches. Therefore if either party is more than 15 minutes late in attending an agreed match, then the late or non-attender loses the match (unless sufficient reason) Please decide before playing the game what will happen if it rains or the game has to be abandoned for any reason.

POSITIONS ON THE LADDER FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF A MATCH CHANGE AS FOLLOWS:

1. If the winner has the higher position , there is no change.
2. If the winner has the lower position, he takes over the higher position. The loser and all others below the winner move down one position. The calculation is based on the position 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.

MATCHES:

1. You should mutually agree with your opponent the length of the match depending on the time you both have e.g. best of 3 sets, best of 5 sets (!). As a MINIMUM matches must consist of the best of 15 games i.e. first one to 8 wins. If score is 7 - 7, final game to be decided on a tie break. If you cannot agree, higher ranked player has final say on format of the match. 
2. Tie break in all cases is first to 7 points, but you have to win by two clear points i.e. 7-5, 8-6 etc.
3. As previously stated, at the end of a match the score has to be registered by the winner. Failure to do so may result in a mix up of the ladder.

By entering the ladder you agree to publish your contact details freely to other ladder members. I will also try to get a ladder / chart set up in the clubhouse. 

The tennis ladder will commence Monday 16th May 2011 and you may contact people to arrange ladder games after this date. Enjoy your tennis!

(If there are any members who are keen  to be involved and/or run a similar ladder for the lady players and the junior players, please let me know.  I'm sure Mike will assist with sharing his knowledge of how to get these off the ground.)