Eligibility & Challenge Match Format

Eligibility for Playing in Matches

• A player is eligible to play in a match if:
1. he/she is ranked in the top 12 of the eligible players for a particular match, AND
2. he/she attends at least 2 practices in the week leading up to the match.

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Challenge Match Format

• A challenge match is a match between a higher ranked player and a lower ranked player.
1. If the lower ranked player defeats the higher ranked player, the lower ranked player assumes the position on the rankings that was held by the higher ranked player and the higher ranked player moves down one position. (i.e. Player #15 defeats Player #12. Player #15 becomes #12 and Player #12 moves down to #13.)
2. If the higher ranked player wins, both players remain where they are in the rankings
• A lower ranked player can only challenge up 3 positions ahead of his/her position. (i.e. Player #6 can challenge Players #5, #4, and/or #3). If there are players that are not consistently coming to practice, those players will be dropped from rankings as to not hinder a challenging player’s ability to challenge up on the rankings
• The first player to win 4 games, with no ad scoring, wins the challenge match. A tiebreaker is played at 3-3.
• Challenge matches can be played in practice at coach’s discretion or outside of practice. Because court space is limited during practice times, challenge matches outside of practice times are recommended to those players who have a strong desire to move up in the rankings.
• The coach will make every effort to get a challenge match for each player during a week's practices. Friday’s have been designated as a challenge match day.
• Cheating has no place in tennis. If it can be determined that an OHC player is consciously and/or consistently cheating, he/she will be removed from team. When players are calling the lines, the rule of thumb is if you are not 100% sure it is out, you must call the ball in. If you are playing an opposing player/team that you feel is not fairly calling the lines, one of the home coaches can be asked to serve as an on-court line judge. This is only a last resort after repeated/blatant instances of inaccurate calls.
• Players should get in the habit of having certain items with them when they play a match. These items include racquet (two if possible), sneakers, a water bottle, and possibly a towel. In addition, players need to wear an OHC logoed shirt, preferably the most up to date team shirt.
• Matches typically start at 1:00pm. Plan on arriving at matches at 12:30 for warming up and any team announcements. The match format is 6 singles matches and 3 doubles matches. The match format is an 8 game pro-set for senior team and a 6 game set for junior team. Both use no-ad scoring.
• Get in the habit of saying the score during your matches. When serving, say the game score (and make sure the score cards are used if applicable) at the beginning of your service game. Also, when serving, say the point score during the game. This will help the fans follow your match as well as clarify any disagreements of the score players may have. Similarly, verbally call the balls out when calling them out. Don’t assume that it was obviously out.
• Don’t interfere with the adjacent courts’ match. Don’t go onto/behind a court unless play has stopped.

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Off the Court

• While players watch matches, there should be NO communication with any players playing a match. In addition, there should be no excessive or inappropriate cheering or comments made during a match. The only appropriate cheering is positive/supportive comments for the players.
• Players are expected to stay for the ENTIRE match.