Singles ladder - April 2024

Who: Open to all senior club members (not just those who play interclub) and juniors who have played senior interclub this year

When: Commencing Monday 22 April and ending Sunday 4 August (104 days)

Why: This is a fantastic opportunity to continue playing singles competitively over autumn and winter, to challenge yourself by playing members who may be ranked higher than you and to meet members who you may not have played before. It will also help club captains when selecting and ranking teams as Match Hub rankings can be unreliable.

Format overview

A club ladder is a great format for those who can’t commit to playing at a set time each week.

When challenged, players organise a time to play that suits them both and you can challenge as little or as often as you like.

Here’s how it works:

1. There are up to 30 spots on the ladder
2. The initial order of players on the ladder will be based on player knowledge of the club captains, Match Hub rankings, ITF World Tennis Number or recent results on Match Hub. It will be best guess in some cases, but the ladder will certainly sort itself out over time – that’s the whole idea of it!
3. Players who join the ladder after the start date will be added to the bottom of the ladder
4. All matches will be the best of 3 sets, short deuces, a tie break to 7 (2-point lead) at 6 games all and if a third set decider is needed this will be a super tiebreaker to 10 (2-point lead)
5. Matches stopped for bad weather or similar reasons must be completed within 1 week or the leading player wins the tie
6. Players move up the ladder by challenging higher ranked players and winning the match
7. When you’ve won a match, you swap places with the player you won against
8. Players can challenge other players a maximum of 3 places above them
9. Players ranked 1-5 can challenge any other players ranked 1-5
10. Each player will have 1 wildcard challenge. This allows players to challenge another player anywhere in the ladder. If they lose, they move to the bottom of the ladder. 
11. Your wildcard challenge is indicated by an orange sticker on your card. Once you've used it, it will be removed.
12. Challenges must be accepted and played within 10 days of the challenge, unless both players agree to an extension or there is a good reason, such as having challenged a player who is out of town or injured. Failure to respond to the challenge, may result in a win for the challenger
13. In the case where a challenger loses a match, they must challenge 2 other players before challenging the same player to a rematch
14. It is the challenger’s responsibility to book a court and to supply new balls for the match
15. The challenger must inform the ladder administrator of the results and report the score within 24 hours of the match, preferably by text
16. The ladder administrator will adjust the ladder weekly and post the results on the noticeboard by the court gate. 

What next

If you would like to play in the ladder, please add your name to the spreadsheet issued by email by Monday 8 April at the latest. Remember places are strictly limited to 30.

We will confirm your spot shortly after this and names will be added to the noticeboard.

All players will be supplied with contact list for all participants.

You can organise play to begin on 22 April.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What if the player I want to challenge doesn't have time for a match?

A: You cannot refuse a challenge. You have 10 days to arrange the match, which always includes at least one weekend. The refusal leads to an automatic forfeit, unless the challenger agrees to withdraw and perhaps challenge another player instead.

Q: What if I'm unavailable because of an injury or I'm away on holiday etc

A: Please let the ladder administrator know if you're not available. Your absence will be noted on your card and potential challengers will skip your rank until you are next available.

Q: What happens when I challenge someone, who has already accepted a challenge from another player?

A: You wait until the first challenge has been played and try again, or challenge another player in the meantime.

Q: What information is displayed on the cards?

A: Only your name and your wild card sticker will be placed on your card. As the noticeboard is in a public place, please let us know how you would like your name recorded on the card - for example I might request Robyn S.

If you have any further questions, please contact the ladder administrator.

Ladder administrator

Our thanks must go Jonas Asmussen for taking the lead in making this ladder a reality. He has repaired and set up the noticeboard ready to go.

Jonas will update the placement of the cards once a week.

Please submit any questions to Jonas and of course your results as they happen. Please text your results to him on: 027 267 5700.