Singles League Rules
Scoring, scheduling, and playoff format
1. Scheduling
- It is your responsibility to contact players in your division to arrange matches at a mutually convenient time. Email is the preferred method of contact.
- The regular season ends in September, with playoffs starting shortly after. Scheduling is flexible — play as many or as few matches as your schedule allows. More matches means more points and a better chance at the playoffs.
- A coin flip, racquet spin, or mutual agreement decides who serves first.
2. Division Rules
- Each member may play in a maximum of 2 singles divisions.
- If a member has won a singles playoff title 2 times in the same division, they must move up to the next higher division. Members already in Division A may continue competing there.
3. Match Format
- Warm-up is limited to 10 minutes maximum.
- Matches are played as a single set — first to win 6 games with standard advantage scoring. You must win by 2 games. At 6–6, a tiebreaker is played to 7 points (alternating serve: 1-2-2-2). Final score: 7–6.
- If a match cannot be completed (court time expires, weather, etc.), both players should finish on the next available court that day. If that's not possible, email the short score to the league commissioner, who will round it to the nearest valid score for standings purposes.
4. Points System
Each match distributes 8 points between the two players. The winner receives 8 minus 0.5 for each game lost. The loser receives 0.5 for each game won.
| Score | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| 6–0 | 8.0 | 0.0 |
| 6–1 | 7.5 | 0.5 |
| 6–2 | 7.0 | 1.0 |
| 6–3 | 6.5 | 1.5 |
| 6–4 | 6.0 | 2.0 |
| 7–5 | 5.5 | 2.5 |
| 7–6 | 5.0 | 3.0 |
Top 15 Rule: Only a player's best 15 match scores count toward their season total. You can play unlimited matches, but only your top 15 results are used for standings.
First Head-to-Head Rule: Only the first match between any two players counts per division, per season. Subsequent matches are recorded as exhibitions and excluded from standings.
5. Injuries & Defaults
- If a player cannot finish due to injury or emergency, the non-defaulting player may take the win (their score is pushed to 6 games; the defaulting player keeps their current score).
- Alternatively, if both players agree, the match may be continued at a later date with the current score intact.
- No-shows without 3 hours' notice result in a 6–0 default victory for the player who showed up. Weather-related cancellations past the deadline are exempt.
6. Score Reporting
The winner must email the score to fhtcleague@hotmail.com within 5 days of playing, including the date of the match and CC'ing the opponent. Scores submitted after 5 days may not be accepted.
7. Playoff Seeding
Tiebreakers for seeding are resolved in order:
- Most total points
- Winner of head-to-head matchup
- Best winning percentage from top 15 matches
- Coin toss
8. Playoff Format
- The top 4 seeds in each division qualify automatically (minimum 1 match played). Seeds 5–8 also qualify if they have at least 21 points.
- Standard bracket format (e.g., 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5). No reseeding after the first round.
- Lucky Entrant Rule: If a qualified player withdraws before playoffs begin, the next highest-seeded player fills the spot. After the first round, withdrawals result in a default — no replacements.
Men's Premier Division
The Premier Division features the highest level of competitive play. Players must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
- Previously played in the FHTC Premier Division
- Finished first in Men's A regular-season standings
- Reached the Men's A finals
- Won an adult OTA, equivalent provincial, or USTA singles tournament
- Won a men's singles club championship at any recognized club
- Was or is a member of a varsity university/college team
- Won professional tennis matches on a professional circuit
Proof of external achievements must be provided to the commissioner.
For any matters not covered above, the league commissioner will make the final decision.