Delcastle Tennis Center
633-0900
SINGLES LADDER RULES

 1.     The Ladder is open to the public. To join the Ladder, there is a $35.00 charge.

 2.     There will be a Ladder Tournament at the end of the outdoor season. The Tournament will be held in September.  The specific dates will be posted once a date is selected. The Ladder Tournament will be open to all players. Your entry fee for the Tournament is included in the price when you sign up for the Ladder.  Trophies will be given to the finalist.

 3.     You must be 16 years or older to play on the Ladder. (This rule is currently suspended)

 4.     For the first Challenge Match only, a free Challenge may be issued to anyone on the Ladder. If successful, the Challenger moves up the Ladder directly above the player challenged. If unsuccessful, the Challenger must work himself up the Ladder following the rules below..

 5.     The top 30 players may only Challenge 10 positions up; players 31—60 may Challenge 20 positions up; and players 61 and down may Challenge 30 positions up; all after the first free Challenge. Whether a Challenger is successful or unsuccessful, he may continue to Challenge during the season.

 6.     Each individual Play Period for the Ladder is 1 week long — starting May 3rd and the last day of the ladder season will be August 30^th. The first Challenger must offer the Defender five different times to play. If the Defender is unable to play at any of the offered times, the Defender may then offer five times to play. If no time is agreeable between both players, the Challenge will be withdrawn. A refusal to play results in a default for the Defender and a win for the Challenger. Notify the Delcastle Tennis Center for all refusals and any problems, including any player who is consistently unable to play at offered times. The Delcastle Tennis Center Management will resolve all problems; their decision is final.

 7.     A two week period must pass before a defeated Challenger may challenge the same player, or before a successful Challenger may be challenged by the player he has defeated, unless both are in agreement to play.

 8.     Players #1 & #2 on the Ladder should accept one challenge per week, if possible. All other players need only accept one challenge every two weeks. In declining a later challenge, give the name of the previous Challenger and scheduled date of the match to the newest Challenger. A player may accept other challenges if he desires.

 9.     Updated Ladder standings will be posted at the Delcastle Tennis Center every week by Tuesday. Each week of play begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.  Results must be called in to Delcastle Tennis Center (633-0900) by noon on Sunday each week. That means if you play a match on Saturday, be sure to call it in by noon the next day. Failure to get your match recorded by this deadline will result in a default by the Winner. Match scores are to be called in between the hours of 9:00am and 6:00pm.  When you call Delcastle with your score, please give the date of the match, the score and the names of participants.

 10.   Rearrangement of the Ladder will be done in the order the matches are played. If the challenge is successful, the Challenger moves up the Ladder above the Defender. If unsuccessful, he retains his original position. Penalties for refusals will be imposed prior to making adjustments for matches played.

 11.   The Challenger is to make arrangements for an agreed upon court time and location. Matches should be played on a hard-court surface in New Castle County unless other arrangements are agreed upon.

 12.   Delcastle Tennis Center welcomes and encourages players to play at our site however that is not required.  Court fees, if any, are to be split equally. Significant Private court fees should not be imposed unless agreed upon.

 13.   If one player does not show up within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, a default results in favor of the player who does show. Any changes involving a scheduled match that are not made 24 hours prior to the match will also result in a default unless agreed to by both parties.

 14.   The Challenger supplies a new can of USTA approved balls. Balls are to remain with the Challenger after the match.

 15.   If the match cannot be completed due to weather conditions, darkness, or loss of court time, the match should be rescheduled at another time. The match can be replayed from the start if both parties agree, if not, then the match will continue were it was left off.

 16.   All matches will be the best two out of three sets, with a 12-point tiebreaker played at 6-All in each set.

 17.   Each Season’s initial Ladder rankings are based on the previous year’s final ladder standings. New entrants will be added onto the Ladder in alphabetical order. Late entrants will be added onto the Ladder in the order in which they sign up.

If you have any further questions or problems, please contact us at
The Delcastle Tennis Center

(302) 633-0900