Winter Singles Ladder
New Singles Ladder Starting!
Monday, 5 May - Sunday, 29 June
Who:
Open to all senior club members (not just those who play interclub) and juniors who have participated in senior interclub this year.
When:
Commences Monday 5th May, and ends Sunday 29th June (8 weeks).
Why:
This is a fantastic opportunity to continue playing competitive singles over autumn and winter, challenge yourself by playing against members ranked higher than you, and meet members you may not have played before. It will also assist club captains when selecting and ranking teams. Playing against a mix of stronger, similar, and developing players is a great way to improve your game, learn new strategies, and help others grow too. All matches are valuable—win or lose.
How
Register to play ASAP. There are 30 places. First come first served. Email Penny at secretary@nelsonlawntennisclub.com to register.
Opportunities to Play:
Matches can be organised at any time with mutual agreement between players. Additionally, there are club-supported times when others may also be playing.
• Saturday Singles: Every 2 weeks, the courts will be booked for ladder matches from 2:00-4:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoons. This provides an opportunity to schedule regular matches, watch others play, and socialise afterward. Please register your games with the administrator to arrange court bookings. Planned dates: 10 May, 24 May, 7 June, 21 June.
• Singles Night: One or two evenings a week (Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday – to be confirmed), up to four courts will be available with reduced-price lights for singles matches. Please register your game with the administrator to reserve a court and lights. Cost: $7 per person (includes lights and balls), or $10 for non-members.
Ladder Rules
A club ladder is a great option for players who prefer flexibility and can’t commit to a fixed weekly schedule. You can challenge other players as often as you like, arranging matches at times that work for both of you. To keep the ladder active and flowing well for everyone, we encourage aiming for a match every 1–2 weeks. Here’s how it works:
Ladder Structure:
There are up to 30 spots on the Open Ladder (Men and Women combined). If you're a social player who enjoys singles but aren't quite ready to join the main ladder, you can still get involved. Contact the administrator to be added to a pool of interested players keen to arrange friendly matches. This list will be shared with others in the same boat, so you can organise games at your own pace—without the pressure of ladder rankings. You’re also welcome to join in on Saturday singles or ladder nights to play your social matches.
Initial Order:
The initial order of play will be drawn randomly. The ladder rankings will adjust over time as matches are played.
Joining the Ladder:
Players joining the ladder after the start date will be added to the bottom.
Match Format:
- 9-game super set
- Short deuces (sudden death at second deuce)
- If the score reaches 8–8, play a tiebreak to 7 (win by 2)
Optional Format (if both players agree):
- Best of 3 sets
- Short deuces (sudden death at second deuce)
- Regular set scoring: tiebreak to 7 (win by 2) at 6–6 in the first two sets
- If the match goes to a third set, play a super tiebreak to 10 (win by 2)
If players can’t agree on a format, the 9-game super set is the default.
Weather Interruptions:
Matches stopped due to bad weather or other reasons must be completed within one week. If not, the leading player will win the tie.
Climbing the Ladder:
Players can challenge those ranked higher on the ladder (up to 5 places) and, if they win, move into the spot above their opponent. If a player loses, they remain in the same position.
Organising a game:
Once you register for the ladder, you’ll receive access to a shared Google document where you can enter your contact details and view the live ladder.
Please respect everyone’s privacy—this document is for registered ladder participants only and should not be shared outside the group.
The document includes several tabs to help you stay organised:
- Contact Details – Please enter your name and preferred contact information so other players can reach you to organise matches.
- Live Ladder – Check this tab to see your current ranking and identify players within reach (up to 5 places above) that you can challenge.
- Match Register & Results – Use this tab to:
- Check if someone already has matches scheduled before issuing a challenge.
- Record upcoming matches once a date is confirmed.
- Log your match result after playing.
You’re welcome to list multiple upcoming matches—it helps everyone keep the games flowing and makes it easier to plan ahead.
Wildcard Challenge:
Each player is entitled to 1 wildcard challenge, which allows them to challenge any player, regardless of position on the ladder. If the challenger wins, they move one place above the player they challenged. If the challenger loses, both players stay in their current positions.
The wildcard is marked with an orange sticker on the player’s card. Once used, the sticker is removed.
Challenge Timing:
Challenges must be accepted and played within 10 days of being issued, unless both players agree to an extension or there is a valid reason (e.g., the player is out of town or injured). If there’s no response within 10 days, the match may be awarded to the challenger unless a valid reason is provided.
Rematch Rules:
If a challenger loses, they must challenge 2 other players before challenging the same player to a rematch.
Court and Equipment:
The challenger is responsible for booking a court and supplying new balls for the match. Singles Night has a fee of $7 members/ $10 non-members to cover lights and balls.
Result Reporting:
The challenger must inform the ladder administrator of the match result within 24 hours, preferably by text to the administrator. It would be helpful if the challenger can also enter the results in the shared document under the ‘Match register and results’ tab.
Ladder Updates:
The ladder administrator will update the online ladder as results come in- date last updated will be indicated at the top of the sheet. Physical ladder at the courts will be updated weekly.
Unavailability:
If a player is unavailable (e.g., injured), they should inform the ladder administrator. Their card will be turned around until they are available for challenges again.
FAQs
What does the orange dot on my card signify?
The orange dot indicates that you still have a wildcard available. It will be removed once you use your wildcard to challenge someone outside your normal range (5 spots above you).
What if the player I want to challenge doesn’t have time for a match? You cannot refuse a challenge. You must arrange the match within 10 days, which will include at least one weekend. Refusal leads to an automatic forfeit unless the challenger agrees to withdraw and challenge someone else.
What if I am unavailable due to injury or being on holiday?
Inform the ladder administrator of your unavailability. Your absence will be noted on your card, and potential challengers will skip your rank until you are available again.
What happens if I challenge someone who has already accepted a challenge from another player?
You’ll need to wait until their existing match has been played, or you can choose to challenge someone else in the meantime. Using the ‘Match Register & Results’ tab in the Google Sheet helps everyone see who is available and who already has a match scheduled.
Who do I contact if I have any questions?
Contact Penny at secretary@nelsonlawntennisclub.com with any questions.