Southern Saratoga Tennis Ladder Rules

1. Initial Ladder Rankings:

a.         I will honor last year’s rankings until the beginning of the season April 6, any player signing up after that, will follow players already signed in.

2. Duration of Ladder:

a.    Matches begin on April 5, 2025.  All matches will be counted until October 12, the last official play day.

3. Eligibility:

a.    To be eligible to win the ladder, players must have a minimum of 8 matches in total before August 18.

b.    On August 18, the top 8 players will start the season ending "Championship".  The top 8 players will be divided into two groups.  The winner of each group will play in the final.

c.     Group A:  #1 X #8, #4 X #5.  The winners face each other.

d.    Group B: # 2 X #7, #3 X #6.  The winners face each other.

e.    The winner of group A will play the winner of group B for the Championship.

4.    Ranking System:

a.    The winner of a match moves one position above the position of the player who lost the match.  If the winner is a higher-ranking player, the player’s position will remain the same.

5.    Inactivity:

a.    Only the top 10 ranking players will be affected by it.

b.    To keep position, the top 10 players will have to play 2 matches in a three-week period (Monday to Sunday).  To keep position, the top 10 player will have to play against at least one top 10 player in the same three-week period.

c.     Failed in any instance, a drop of 3 positions to a more qualified active player will be issued.

d.    A Player only lose position to an active player.

e.  This rule will be in effect on April 28, 2025, and on May 5th, inactive players will be moved below the active ones. 

6. Playing the Match:

a.     Both players should bring one unused, and unopen can of tennis balls.  The winner of the match will keep the unopen can of tennis balls.

b.     Only official standard Type 2 USTA approved balls or better must be used, not coaches, practice or recreational.  Here is the link to USTA with a list of tennis balls approved:

https://www.usta.com/content/dam/usta/pdfs/20190920_USTA_Approved_Balls_List.pdf

c.      A match will consist of two out of three sets using the 7-point tiebreaker.

d.    The person challenged can decide the site of the match unless another site is mutually agreed.

e.     Your ladder chairperson will offer a ruling on any dispute.

f.       Please be kind and respectful of your opponent and remember to apply all the tennis etiquette as possible.

g.     Rain, extreme weather conditions and darkness are the only legitimate reasons to stop a match.

h.    Be advised to disclose any possible issue before the match starts.

7. Challenge Etiquette:

a.    When a challenge is made, the challenged person is requested to negotiate a date with the challenger at that time, unless the challenger agrees to withdraw the challenge if no date is agreed upon.  A span of one week is the expected time for challenge dates.

b.    Is proper to give a plausible reason for cancelling a challenge, or not accepting one.

8. Cancellations:

a.    If one member should cancel a scheduled match, please do so as quickly as possible to avoid waiting time for your opponent.

b.    If cancellation is within one and half hours before the start of your match scheduled, a phone call is needed.  Emails are allowed only up until two hours before the start time.  In any case, a phone call or text is preferred.

c.     Default Reason 1: When a match is scheduled and the opponent does not show up within 15 minutes, then the person present can claim a win.  An email or phone call with a reasonable explanation is expected.

d.    Default Reason 2: A player who is injured or must leave for any reason, not previously agreed upon before play began, must default, and record the match as a loss.

9. Reporting Scores:

a. Ladder match scores should be reported within 24 hours, but in no event later than Sunday of the week’s play.  The week’s play ends at 11:59 pm., Sunday evening.  It is the winner’s responsibility to report the results, even if the positions remain the same. 

b.    Report the date of the match, the winner, the loser, and the set scores.  Please report the time if more than one match is played on the same day.

c.     Match results should be emailed or called to your ladder chairperson.  Please do not call before 8:00 am. or after 9:00 pm. when reporting matches.

10.   Ladder Standing Updates:

a.    Sent weekly by email and posted on our website.

11.   Awards and Discounts:

a.   All certificates and discounts are redeemable until the end of each season's year.

b.  Player of The Month Award goes to the player with more matches within the month.  Round Robin play does not count for this matter, just for overall matches played at the end of the season count.

c.   Player of The Month Award cannot be awarded to the same player twice in the same season.

If you wish to be removed or are unable to continue to play on the ladder, in fairness to all, advise the ladder chairperson so that you can be removed from the ladder list.