Barclays Local Tennis Leagues rules and regulations
The rules and regs of our Leagues help to keep them fun, friendly, and competitive.
This information is applicable to all Leagues. By playing in any of our Leagues, players agree to the terms and conditions below. The organisers reserve the right to vary or amend the rules and regulations as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the Leagues.
Important to note for all players
- Matches are self-umpired and should be conducted in the spirit of fair play.
- Players compete at their own risk, and it is the player's responsibility to ensure any courts used are safe for play.
- Players are solely responsible for court hire and equipment provision.
- Players must be 18 or older on the start day of a Round.
- Players must register and play under their real name (specifically not an alias, pseudonym, or nickname) and must provide accurate contact details.
- We expect players to be sporting and courteous in dealings with opponents, tennis venues and their officials and us as organisers and our partner organisations, and we reserve the right to remove players who are not.
Players compete at their own risk and agree to release LTA from any claims, demands, losses, damages, rights, and actions of any kind that either directly or indirectly arises from their interactions with or conduct of other users of the App. This disclaimer shall exclude the LTA’s liability to the extent permitted by law.
Balls and courts
Balls: Balls must be of a good quality and both parties should provide a set.
Courts: Please share the cost of the courts and allow for two hours of play. Matches can be played on any court that suits both players.
Setting up matches: Players have a joint responsibility to set up matches. Please agree on the time, location, and projected time frame for the match beforehand.
What happens if it rains?
If it rains before the match starts, the whole match should be rescheduled. Don't make assumptions about the weather; be sure to contact your opponent to discuss the situation and to reschedule.
Immediately before the match (or after one game has been played) if one player feels the court conditions are too slippery, or otherwise unsafe, they have the right to ask for a postponement. The scoreboard should be cleared, and the match restarted.
If it rains during the match or court conditions deteriorate, either player may decide to call a halt to the match, and play can continue another day (or remain as To Be Completed if players can’t reschedule). The score should be reported as it was when play stopped.
Injury Retirements
If a player retires injured or unwell, or for any other reason, the match cannot be replayed. The player who could have continued (the winner) will receive 2 points for a win + 1 point for playing. The retried player receives 1 point for playing + 1 point if they've won a set.
Rescheduling matches and walkovers
If a player is more than half an hour late, the other player can claim a walkover and receive 2 points, or the match can be rescheduled.
If a match is To Be Completed and then a walkover is awarded, the 'winning' player receives 2 points for the win + 1 point for playing. The original score remains unchanged. If the person who caused the walkover had originally won a point for a set won, that also remains unchanged + they keep their 1 point for playing.
If you are cancelling a scheduled match, make sure you get an acknowledgement from your opponent. If the message does not get through, the match may be deemed a walkover.
If a player wants to reschedule a match, they must give their opponent a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. If a court cost is incurred the player who postponed the match is solely responsible for the cost of the unused court.
If less than 24 hours’ notice is given, the match may be recorded as a walkover in favour of the opponent and points awarded, although it is still preferable to play the match if possible.
If a player simply decides they don't want to play a match they cannot offer a walkover to the other. That is, for points to be awarded a match must be scheduled and played. Aside from retiring through injury, players may not concede a match either before, during or after a match.
If the agreed time simply runs out for a match, neither player should concede the match. If the match can't be played to a conclusion later, points are simply awarded for the completed sets.
Matches should be played within the round dates; the cut off point for play (and for the result to count) must be observed.
Doubles pairings
Once you join a Round with an allocated partner, no substitutions are permitted. If your partner can no longer play due to injury or any other reason your pair will need to withdraw.
Withdrawals
If a player withdraws from a Round, each player who has not played against them will receive 1 point. No other points will be awarded if a player withdraws.
Resolving conflict
If conflict arises between two players, we ask that you do your best to resolve it between yourselves by referring to these rules and regulations. Barclays Local Tennis Leagues has a competitive element, but we ask that all players keep things friendly.
If the issue cannot be resolved amongst yourselves, you can email us with information about the conflict. We will refer you to the rules & regulations if it is clearly noted there, otherwise we will contact both players to help you find a solution.
Please note we were not present at your match so cannot advise outside of information we receive from both players, so we require players to be truthful.
Withdrawing from a Round
Before a Round has launched:
- Navigate to the Round page in the app and click 'withdraw'
- Send us an email via the enquiry form here to request a refund (incurs a £2.50 admin charge)
After a Round has launched:
To withdraw from a Round that has already launched, send us an email via the enquiry form here requesting to be withdrawn. Once we withdraw you from the Round you cannot be added in again. Refunds, coupons, and transfers are not given out once a Round has started, for any reason, even if you haven't played any matches.
Round dates and extensions
As organisers, we reserve the right to alter or amend the published round dates. Sometimes it is necessary to postpone a round, in which case we offer to refund the round fee of any player who can no longer play. Matches must be played within the Round dates and no extensions are given in any circumstance.
Round payments
Round payments are per person and are not transferable. You may cancel for a refund (minus a £2.50 admin charge) any time up until the day before a round launches. After this, fees are not refundable or transferable to another Round or League, for any reason. We do not store or have access to customers' credit card details.
Doubles: If you are entering as a doubles team, both players are responsible for paying a fee.
Group placement
We place you in a group where you will have competitive matches at your standard. Players are positioned in a group, relative to players in the Round, and according to your ITF World Tennis Number. Your group number/placing may vary in subsequent Rounds depending on who has signed up - every Round is different. We reserve the right to rebalance the groups in any way that we believe will provide players with the best possible matches. Injury and other factors may be taken into consideration.
Please note group numbers are not comparable between Rounds as the number of entries varies. This means, someone who won 'group 5' in one Round may be promoted but may still be in a group called 'group 5'. This is because the overall number of players playing has changed. So what may look like a numerical demotion may actually be promotion.
We cannot predict which group you will be in before the Round starts as we do not begin to organise the groups until after the deadline when we have the full list of players.
Reporting scores
The winner of a match should report scores promptly using the score reporting function in the app.
Results must be submitted by midday the day after the Round ends. Once a Round Report is issued at the completion of a Round, the Round is locked, and results stand as is.
Match integrity
We rely on players entering accurate scores and match details. Falsifying a result in any way, including submitting a result for a match that was not played, may result in the disqualification of any of the players concerned. This provision also applies to falsifying the date of a match to earn bonus points or to make a match valid. Players are obliged to report any attempts to manipulate results.
Participation point
Along with points awarded for sets won, 1 point will be awarded to each player regardless of win or loss, for participating (excluding walkovers).
Group standings
All players receive 1 participation point for playing (excluding walkovers), regardless of win or loss.
You get 1 point for every set you win (i.e., 2 points for a 'win' in best of three sets). Players play their opponents once, each round.
An additional 2 bonus points will be awarded to players who have played 3 matches by the Round mid-point (excludes walkovers).
The player with the most points at the end of a Round wins the group.
Players are sorted from 1st to last based on the following set of rules:
- Total number of points
- If 2 players have an equal amount of points, and they played each other during the season, they are ranked based on head-to-head
- In case 2 players have an equal amount of points and they did not play each other, or if 3 or more players have an equal amount of points, then it’s based on:
- Set % won
- If set % is equal, rank on game % won
- If game % is equal, players are ranked in random order
Do my results influence my ITF World Tennis Number?
All Barclays Local Tennis Leagues match results (excluding flex results) are automatically sent to the LTA after a score has been submitted on the app (please do not self-submit your results). They will appear in 'My Game' in your LTA Advantage account. Your results will also influence your ITF World Tennis Number, but to see any significant changes to your WTN, you will need to play multiple matches across a longer period.
Bonus prizes and points
These players will also be awarded a £6 (£3 for beginner leagues) bonus prize coupon to use for a future Round. The coupon code will be sent via email when you qualify.
Winner’s prizes
The winner of each group receives a coupon valued at £21 (£15 for beginner leagues) to use for a future Round. Coupons must be used within 12 months.
Contact details and payments
As this is a public league, your name will appear on accessible tables of results and in the Round Reports. Current and past rounds are publicly viewable.
By playing in the Leagues, you are authorising us to share your contact details with other members of the League who are placed in the same group.
We do not store credit card details, nor do we share customer details with any third parties.
Entry requirements
Entry to the Leagues is open to all players over the age of 18.
All players are required to have an LTA Number when creating a Barclays Local Tennis Leagues account.
We expect players to be sporting and courteous in dealings with opponents, tennis centres and their officials and us as organisers and our partner organisations, and we reserve the right to remove players who are not.
Line calling
- You call the ball on your side of the net. If you saw the ball go out, your opponent must accept your call.
- If you are unsure, the ball should be called in.
There’s a ball on court
- Any balls on your side of the net are your responsibility, and if you are receiving, it is your job to make sure they are returned to the server.
- If a ball lands in a neighbouring court, wait for an appropriate time in your match and theirs, to retrieve it.
Playing a let
If play is interrupted in any way, playing a let is the fairest thing to do. Either player can call a let and then you should replay the point.
Keeping score
- This is the server’s responsibility, and the easiest way is to announce the score is before you serve the next ball.
- If your opponent disagrees, try to track back the points. If you can’t agree on the score, you must go back to the last point you both agree on.
I need to let off steam
Tennis can be a tense, adrenaline-fuelled game and no one expects it to be played in silence. Emotions are part of the game, but if you swear and shout, even if it is only at your racquet, it can be off-putting to your opponent. Do your best to keep shouting and screaming to a minimum.
Concerns about the conduct and behaviour of a player
The LTA take a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour or conduct within Barclays Local Tennis Leagues. If you feel at immediate risk of harm, you should call the police on 999. If you have a complaint around safeguarding or adults at risk, you can contact safeguarding@lta.org.uk
Tell friends and family about your plans
Tell a friend or family member of your plans, including when and where you're playing. Have your phone charged and with you at all times.
If you feel uncomfortable, leave
It's okay to end the match early if you're feeling uncomfortable. If your instincts are telling you something is off or you feel unsafe, ask someone for help.
Be in control of your transport
We want you to be in control of how you get to and from your match so that you can leave whenever you want. If you're driving yourself, it's a good idea to have a backup plan such as a ride-share app or a friend to pick you up.
Spectating
- If friends or family would like to watch a match, just let your opponent know first to be sure they are okay with it.
- Spectators should remain outside the court, showing support respectfully and should never get involved in line calling.
Making a complaint
If you would like to make a complaint about anything regarding Barclays Local Tennis Leagues, please see our guidelines and instructions below: