2013 RULES AND REGULATIONS (revised 2013-04-21)


1. Each team fixture will consist of 4 matches, 2 singles and 2 doubles. Each match will consist of 2 regular sets, (with a 12 point tie-breaker, if applicable), each set is worth one point. No match tiebreakers will be played during the regular season. Each game counts.

2. All members of a team must be members in good standing of that club.

3. Each team must prepare their respective rosters with the “honor system” in mind. The number one singles player should be the best singles player and the number one doubles team the best doubles team. The number one player(s) play number one, and number two play number two. Rankings for a fixture depend on who is present for the match. If either captain disagrees with the opposing team line-up, they should try to resolve the issue before the match. If this is not possible, they can play the match under protest (and mark the scorecard accordingly) and advise the Commissioner. The other team captain will be called upon to defend his line-up. When it is decided that there has been obvious "stacking" by a team, the fixture could be defaulted in favor of the other team.

4. Teams need to observe the dress code (clothing restrictions) of the Home club. The home team must provide food and refreshments following the matches. This is considered to be an essential and mandatory social aspect of the competitive interclub scene.

5. Start times: All matches start at 6.30pm.

6. Home matches: All teams play their home matches on Tuesdays, with the exception of Côte-St-Luc and Dorval, who’ll play at home on Thursdays.

7. Clothing Restrictions: White Tennis clothing and collared shirts at MRTC. Specific and appropriate Tennis attire (collared or non-collared shirts) at all other clubs. No sleeveless shirts accepted.

8. It is the visiting Captain’s responsibility to confirm the match each week.

9. It is the host Captain’s responsibility to post the score sheets to the League website by noon of the day following the match each week. If a fixture is rained out, it is the responsibility of the home team captain to inform the League Statistician, within one (1) week of the rained-out fixture, of the agreed upon rescheduled date.

10. Again this year, we will continue our “Pro”trial (started in 2010); one (1) Pro teaching in a Club will be permitted to play per fixture. A player shall be defined as a Pro for interclub match play, if he receives any type of remuneration for teaching tennis at the Club for which he plays. Teams using a Pro must advise the other team beforehand and special mention must be made on the score sheet. The same number of matches played remains for accessibility to playoffs. This rule will be reviewed at the end of the season.

11. A player must play a minimum of 2 matches in the regular season to be eligible for the playoffs.

12. If a team withdraws from a match and/or the League without giving a valid written reason acceptable by the League, it will be suspended for the balance of the year and the following year.

13. Final standings will be determined as follows:

The team with the best record (most sets won) will have the highest ranking, from 1 to 9. In the case of a tie, the tie-breakers will be as follows:

1) the most points (sets won) between the 2 teams that are tied;
2) the most games between the 2 teams that are tied;
3) the most games during the year.

14. Playoffs: There will be 2 divisions for the playoffs.

14.1 Division A: Top 4 teams as per the Final Standings during the regular season. Semi-finals - 1 vs 4; 2 vs 3. One fixture only. The team with the better record during the season will host the match. Winners play the Final. The team with the better record during the season will host the ''A'' final. In all cases, the “regular home night” will be used to host the match, weather permitting.

14.2 Division B: Next 4 teams as per the Final Standings during the regular season. Semi-finals - 5 vs. 8, 6 vs 7. One fixture only. The team with the better record during the season will host the match. Winners play the Final. The team with the better record during the season will host the ''B'' final. In all cases, the “regular home night” will be used to host the match, weather permitting.

14.3 For the Playoffs only, when sets are tied 1-1 in a match, a Super tie-breaker will be played, and will count as 1 set (1point). Super tie-breaker means 1st player/team who reaches 10 points – 2 point difference – wins. After the 1st point is played, players will change sides after every 4 points (i.e. at 5, 9, 13, etc)


14.4 The team with the highest number of points (sets won) wins the fixture. In the case of a tie, the tie-breaker will be as follows:

1) the most games won;
2) a 12 point tie-breaker will be played for each match (4 in total); the team with the most tie-breakers won, wins the fixture;
3) the total points for all tie-breakers.