The Manchester International GLTA Tennis Tournament
14 - 16 September 2012, Manchester, England, UK
Regulations
PLEASE NOTE THE INFORMATION BELOW REFERS TO 2011. UPDATED INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MAY 2012
Tournament Rules
Manchester International Tournament 2011, 16 - 18 September
- Matches start on Friday 16 September at 08.00 AM. The finals are scheduled for Sunday 18 September until approx. 17.00 (5 PM).
- Please note that players must make themselves available for the duration of the tournament.
Rules
- This tournament will be played in accordance with the rules of the Gay & Lesbian Tennis Association (GLTA) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Tennis rules from the International Tennis Federation apply. These rules are described in the text below.
- By participating in the Manchester International Tournament, players agree with these tournament rules.
- In the event a situation arises which does not pertain to any of these rules, the tournament organization will decide how best to resolve the situation.
Venues
- Matches will be played at Sport City, Manchester (6 indoor, 4 outdoor - hardcourt)
- If needed, on Friday, matches will be played at a second venue
Seeding and draws
- Registrations are accepted for a combination of 1 single's event, 1 men's/women's doubles event, and 1 mixed doubles event with a maximum of 2 events in total. Each draw will have a maximum of 32 entrants, and draws cannot be guaranteed with fewer than 8 entrants, although every effort will me made to accommodate all scenarios.
- In the doubles divisions, couples will be placed in the appropriate division based on the rankings of the strongest player.
- For seeding, the GLTA ranking list 2 weeks prior to the tournament will be used as well as any other relevant information such as to be decided by the tournament committee.
- In case a player is participating in a too low level, he/she will be disqualified.
- Substitutes are allowed as long as no matches have started in that particular draw. This will require the tournament organisers' approval
Prizes
- In all events, winner and runner up prizes are awarded.
- In the consolation rounds only the winners are awarded a prize.
Matches
- Please report to the tournament desk 30 minutes prior to each match
- All matches will be the best of 3 sets with a tiebreak at 6-6 in the first 2 sets and the 3rd set a super tie break to 10 points.
- Consolation matches are to be played as 8 game pro-sets, with a tiebreak at 8-8 (see ‘consolation rounds’).
- Some events will be played in round robins. For every match you win, you get 2 points. The player with most points is the winner of the round robin. When two or more players have an equal number of points, the head-to-head result counts. If scores are tied, the tournament organisation will count the relative match-points, then the relative set difference, then the relative game difference, then the number of sets won, then the number of games won. If scores are still tied, the winner will be decided by a toss.
- Warm up times are limited to 5 minutes.
- Report the match results to the tournament desk after the match.
- Between matches a 20-minute break is allowed after a main draw singles match and a 15-minute break after a doubles match or a consolation singles match.
- Organisers and volunteers are present to check balls, warm-up times, rest periods and to be of general assistance.
Late arrival
Late arrivals will incur a penalty in accordance with the GLTA rules starting from the moment the match has been announced (and a court is available). Therefore it is your responsibility to arrange transportation, get directions if necessary and leave yourself sufficient time to get to the venue.
- Up to 5 minutes: loss of toss and 1 game
- 5 to 10 minutes means: loss of toss and 2 games
- 10 to 15 minutes: loss of toss and 3 games
- More than 15 minutes: default
Balls and courts
- All matches will be played with Slazenger balls. The balls will be used for a maximum of 3 matches. New balls will also be provided for each final.
- After each match balls must be returned to the tournament desk.
- For single matches always use the single posts.
Consolation rounds
- Consolation rounds are open to all players who lost the first match in the singles events. There are no consolation matches for the round robin events.
- You need to sign up for consolation rounds. You can sign up at the tournament desk immediately after you lost your first match. Note: If you didn’t sign up, you cannot play in the consolation rounds
- Matches in the consolation rounds will be played as a pro-set. This is a set until 8 games with a difference of at least 2 games and a tiebreak at 8-8.
Attire
- Proper tennis attire (including shoes) is required when on court.
Do's and don'ts
- Always enter the courts through the appropriate entrance. Avoid disturbing other matches.
- Players shall not engage in unsporting conduct or disturb other players.
- A player is not allowed to receive coaching during a match.
- Do not enlist the aid of spectators in making line calls.
- Wait until players on another court have completed a point before retrieving or returning a ball.
Unforeseen delay
In case of an unforeseen delay (including rain), the tournament organisation may opt for one or more of the following:
- To shorten matches playing sudden death at Deuce. The receiver chooses the side he or she wants to receive serve. However, in mixed doubles, the man must serve to the man and the woman to the woman.
- Sets will be shortened until 4 games with 2 games difference and a tiebreak at 4-4.
- Cancellation of the consolation round matches.
The tournament organisation decides which option will be played. This will be announced prior to the match.
Waiver of Liability
By participating at the Manchester international tournament 2011 and related activities & events, participants agree to waive any & all rights & claims for bodily or emotional injury, injury to their reputation, or any other damage or harms that they might suffer, or any other claims of any nature they or their legal representatives may have against the Manchester international tournament, Northern Aces Tennis Group, GLTA & its officers, all tournament sites, tournament sponsors, or any organization, facility or individual associated with this tournament & the related activities & events. Participants agree to participate at their own risk & the above organizations, facilities, & individuals will not be responsible for any harm, injury or damage that they might suffer. They also release & waive any & all rights to claim damages or remuneration which may arise as a result of references to, photographs, images or likenesses of them which may appear in any publication or other media coverage.
