My Tennis Ladder - is a Free Tennis Challenge Ladder open to local area men and women players of all ages and NTRP levels.  Advanced level junior players may also compete on the Tacoma challenge ladder.  There is no cost to join the ladder however you will be responsible for providing balls and paying for applicable court or guest fees where required.  **There will be a tournament entry fee of $25.00 for the season ending Round Robin Tournament for all who choose to participate.  All players will receive tournament T-Shirts , awards will be presented to 1st & 2nd place winners and a player's reception with awards presentation, prizes and food will be held.

Here's How The Ladder Works:
New players coming on to the ladder are placed at the bottom.  All new players have a "First Free-Challenge", which means they can challenge any player at any position on the ladder.  Once the "free challenge" has been played, players may only challenge a maximum of three places above them.  The winning player takes the losers spot and the losing player moves down a spot. If the challenger loses the match, no position changes are made. 
Making Challenges:
All players will have a "FIRST FREE-CHALLENGE" which allows him/her to challenge any player on the ladder, no matter where that player is positioned on the ladder.  For example, using a Free Challenge, the 41^st player can challenge the #1 player on the ladder.  After playing a "Free Challenge", a player may only challenge up to three players above him/her.  For example, the #5 player on the ladder can challenge player #2, #3 or #4, but not player #1.  Player #5 must first challenge and beat one of the other three players before having an opportunity to challenge the #1 player.

To make a challenge the challenging player may phone, email or make the challenge in person.  When a challenge is made, the challenging player should e-mail the Tennis Ladder Coordinator at mytennisladder@comcast.net to confirm that a challenge was made.   The challenged player has one week to respond to the challenger.  If a player fails to respond one week player, the challenger must notify the Ladder Coordinator at mytennisladder@comcast.net,  who will then contact the challenged player.  If no response is received by the Coordinator within 3 days, the challenged player will be moved down three positions on the ladder.  Any player that fails to respond to three challenges will be dropped from the ladder.

If the challenger wins the match, he/she moves above the challenged player.  If the challenger loses the match, the positions of both players remain unchanged.  You may not challenge the same player within a one month period until you have challenged and played someone else first. Once players complete their match, both players should e-mail the match results within 48 hours to the Tennis Ladder Coordinator at mytennisladder@comcast.net.  The coordinator will record the scores and if necessary, move the ladder standings.  Both players will also receive credit for their match played for that month.
Rules of Challenge Match Play
The challenging player provides a new can of balls for the match.  The challenger must play at the defending player's desired court location.  Court fees and/or guest fees will be split between both players unless free courts are acquired. USTA rules and code of conduct apply.

Play will consist of the best of three sets.  If both players agree, before the start of the match, a 10 point match tiebreak may be played in lieu of a third set.  In addition, a no-ad point may be played on the third deuce, if both players agree in advance.  By playing the match tiebreak and using the third deuce rule, you should be capable of finishing a match within 1-1/2 hours.  Be sure to allow enough time to complete your match based upon the score format you will play.

If you need to change or cancel a scheduled match, it is your responsibility to notify your opponent by e-mail and/or phone at least 24 hours in advance and receive a confirmation from him/her.  Simply leaving a voice mail is not enough.  You must actually get an acknowledgment from your opponent that he/she received your message.  Failure to do so may result in a default of the match.

Reporting Scores
Both players should report the results of the challenge by e-mailing the Ladder Coordinator at mytennisladder@comcast.net within 48 hours of match play.  State who won the match and what the winning player's scores were, For Example: Bill Smith def. Joe Brown, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.

"Bump-Up - Bump-Down" Procedure
The object of this ladder is to have players play matches.  If you don't play, you'll move down the ladder, using the "Bump-Up - Bump-Down" Procedure.  The play cycle goes from the first day of each month to the last day of each month. On the last day of the month, all players that played a match are "bumped up" the ladder until they bump into another player that played a match.  Once all players are repositioned by "bumping up" the ladder, players that haven't played are "bumped down" the ladder, beginning at the top. So, if you haven't played a match during the month, you'll be "bumped down" the ladder until you bump into someone else that hasn't played a match during the month. Players who are inactive for three consecutive months will be removed from the ladder and must start at the bottom if they want to get back on.
Unavailability to Play Due to Injury, Vacation, etc.
You can notify the Ladder Coordinator at mytennisladder@comcast.net that you will be away on vacation or out with an injury.   Two ** will be added to your name on the ladder until you notify us you are available to play.  Inactive players will be bumped down the ladder according to the "Bump-Down" rule.  Notify the Ladder Coordinator at mytennisladder@comcast.net when you are ready to begin playing Ladder challenge matches.
Season Ending Round Robin Tournament
Participation in the final tournament is optional.  Tournament entry fee is $25.00 per player. 2009 Tournament dates TBA.  Players will be divided into round robin draws of four players each.  All players are guaranteed three matches.  The winners of each bracket will play in the finals.  T-Shirts will be given to all players.  Trophies will be awarded to the Champion and Finalist of each division.  A players reception will be held with prizes, fun and awards presentations.

 

Join MY TENNIS LADDER, today!  It's FUN & it's FREE!

Meet new friends, improve your tennis game and stay fit for life!

For additional information call

(253) 531-6300

Sprinker Tennis Center
14824 So. C Street, Tacoma, WA 98373
mytennisladder@comcast.net

Notice: LATENESS FOR MATCHES: USTA Rules will be followed: A player who is up to 5 minutes late will lose the toss and one game; 5:01-10 minutes late, loss of toss and two games; 10:01-15 minutes late, loss of toss and three games; 15 or more minutes late=default.