Depending on how serious your tennis tournament is, there might be a considerable number rules and regulations you must follow to run the event or play in it. Sanctioned tournaments must follow strict guidelines with little flexibility to ensure fairness to all players. Recreational events are much more flexible, with special requests often granted by the tournament organizers.
Sanctioned Events
If an event is sanctioned by a national, local or scholastic league, you must follow the rules for running or competing in the tournament. These tournaments have strict rules so players competing in different states or cities all play under the same rules. Tennis organizations often use tournament results to award rankings, making uniform play even more important.
Recreational Events
Fun tournaments are more flexible, especially if the goal is to provide recreation or raise funds. Even recreational tournaments set entry and playing rules, but organizers try to be flexible to keep the event enjoyable. For example, you are less likely to be defaulted if you are 15 minutes late to a recreational tournament and more likely to be added to a draw after the entry deadline.
Organizers
Tournaments wishing to play under the auspices of a governing body must apply for sanction of their event. You may be required to use the governing body’s entry forms, charge approved fees, check player IDs, make your draws according to its rules, enforce strict default rules, report scores in a specified manner and follow other guidelines. You may need to use a certified umpire at your event.
For recreational events, you should have a playing format, fees, eligibility requirements and sign-up details planned and announced so people know what they are entering.
Organizers should arrive early, have a tournament desk staffed the entire time, have written rules and guidelines for participants and otherwise be available to make sure players know exactly what they need to do while the tournament is running.
It’s customary to provide cold water and cups, balls, prizes and free snacks or food and drinks players can purchase.
Players
Your first step in entering a tennis tournament is to check if you are eligible to play, and, if so, in what divisions. Learn the dates for submitting your entry and fees, match start and default times and score-reporting requirements.
Learn the scoring system. Many tournaments use variations of game, set, tie-break and match scoring to shorten matches, and you are responsible for playing the correct format.
Know the procedures for settling disputes that may arise during the match. This can be as simple as knowing where to go for help during the match. This might be to the tournament director or a roaming umpire.
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