CRTC League Rules & Regulations

Playing Rules

• All matches are to be played under USTA rules and code of conduct.
• Matches consist of two sets and a match tiebreaker (if necessary) that follows the guidelines below (see GAME SCORING).
• All matches should be played at the scheduled date and time at CRTC unless both teams agree to play off premises for scheduling reasons or certain weather-related reasons.

League matches are scheduled through the individual league (i.e. Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, etc..) pages. A match can be set up by the League Coordinator with a “play by” date. Please contact your opponent to agree upon an actual date and time for your match and update, on the league page, the actual date and time of the match. Matches should conform to the 1.5 hour time slots and considered Timed Matches.

**Rules for Timed Matches can be found at the Link dropdown for each individual league’s pages. You may not double book (i.e.. booking a match in the 3:30 time slot and also the 5PM time slot). You are encouraged to set up your own matches in addition to the ones set up by the League Coordinator and should be created on the league page so that it counts against your three required matches. All players/teams must complete three ladder challenge matches in order to qualify for the playoffs.

Start of the Match (VERY IMPORTANT TO READ)

• Always start your match going over the basic rules that you both agree to.

Be clear to your opponent -- “We are playing a timed match that is best 2 out of 3 set match with the third set being a tie breaker. We will stop 10 minutes before time runs out to assess if a player/team is up at least 2 games in the current set. If not, then we will play a 7-point set tie breaker (or 5-point if less than 10 minutes). If we split sets, a 10-point match tie breaker (or another 5-point tie breaker if less than 10 minutes) will be played."

** If you are playing at an off-peak time that allows you to finish a best 2 out of 3 set match with no time limit and you both agree ahead of time, that is permissable.

Game Scoring

• All games will be limited to ONE AD point. Should the score go to DEUCE a second time, the receiving team will have a choice of which player is to receive the game deciding point, except for Mixed Doubles where the server should serve to the same gender as they are. In the case of Singles, the receiver chooses the side to receive from.
• At the score of 6 games all, a 7-point tiebreaker will be played (if less than 10 minutes remain play a 5-point tie break). First to win two sets wins the match.  At one set all,a 10-point tiebreaker should be played to decide the match (if less than 10 minutes remain, play a 5–point tie break).

Tiebreakers - How to keep it all straight

• The match format is 2 out of 3 sets. One Ad scoring. At 10 minutes before time is up AND if there is NO clear winner for the second set, the player/team ahead by 2 games wins the 2nd set. If neither player/team is ahead by 2 games, play a 9-Point Tiebreaker (first to 5 by 1) to declare the winner of the second set.
  
  
• If players/teams split sets, and there's more than 10 minutes remaining, play a third set Super Tiebreaker (first to 10 by 2). If you have 10 or fewer minutes remaining, play a 9-Point Tiebreaker (first to 5 by 1) to determine the winner of the match.the player/team ahead by 2 games wins the 2nd set. If neither player/team is ahead by 2 games, play a 9-Point Tiebreaker to declare the winner of the second set.
  
  
• If you are playing at a time of day that permits more than 90 minutes of play, you may play a full third set if each side agrees BEFORE the match starts.

Match Scoring

• Please report your scores within 24 hours of playing the match on the appropriate leagues page on the website.
• Enter winner of 5-point tiebreaker as 1 game. If this results in equal number of games, then instead enter winner of tiebreak as 1 and opponent as 0.

Team Rules

• Once a doubles (Mixed, Women’s, Men’s) team has played one ladder match, substituting players is not allowed unless due to an injury. In the event of injury, a player may continue the season with a new partner under certain conditions. The proposed new team is subject to League Coordinator approval. If approved, the new team is required to complete three matches to qualify for playoffs.
• Teams may play together for two consecutive years. Example: Player A and B play together as a team in 2023 and 2024. They may not play together as a team in 2025, but are permitted to play together again as a team in 2026 and 2027.
• Mixed Doubles has 3 divisions ranging from 7.0 up to 8.0. Teams consist of s combined rating of each player with no more than 1 point separating each team member. You should tell the division coordinator which division you wish to play in when the season starts. You may move up or down depending on the other teams you are playing against. At the time of playoffs, your level should be at your appropriate level. A team will not be forced to play up if they signed up for a certain level unless it is clearly underrated or overrated. The League committee has the right to review and determine where the team should compete during playoffs, if this is the case. It is suggested but not required that the winning mixed doubles team consider playing in the division up if they still have a year to partner together.
• Men's and Women's Doubles teams are at the approval of the individual league coordinator.

Forfeit Rule - Waiting for Players

There is a 10 minute grace period when waiting for player(s) to start a match. After this time, the team who is missing a player(s) must be prepared to forfeit the match. The team who is ready to play makes the decision to either accept the forfeit OR reschedule the match. If the decision is made to reschedule, the match must be rescheduled to play within a week. If it is not, the match is automatically forfeited to the team originally deciding to reschedule.

Tennis Balls

Each side is responsible for bringing a new can of tennis balls. One can will be used for the match; the unopened can goes to the winner.

Match Etiquette

• Keep the match moving.
• Change overs after odd games should not exceed 90 seconds and should not exceed 2 minutes between sets.
• On really hot or humid days you can agree to allow extra time to grab a drink or towel off.

Last but not least...

One of the best things about CRTC is the support of the members watching matches, leagues, playoffs or otherwise. Please remind viewers to refrain from coaching from the sideline and to applaud both players for stellar points and shots versus cheering on unforced errors.