What is Tie Break Tens?

Tie Break Tens is the new short format of Tennis that incorporates all the elements of the traditional tennis game, in a quick-fire version, allowing players and spectators to enjoy the sport outside of its traditional confinements. The first to 10 points system means every point counts. So players need to be ready to go from the first serve. If your opponent gets too far ahead it could be game over.

Since 2018, the club have took inspiration from the concept of Tie Break Tens and have enhanced it in the format of handicapped mixed doubles.

This has now become one of the club's most popular social events in our calendar, and we aim to host at least three each season.

How does it work?

Once you sign up, the tournament organisers will sort out your handicap for the event.

You will then be randomly drawn with your mixed partner on the day of the event and your handicap as a pair will be confirmed.

Some handicaps may be adjusted for each match depending on the pair you are playing. Two 'plus' handicaps will be adjusted. The same goes for two 'minus' handicaps. Example - a +2 pair against a +4 pair will be adjusted to 0 and +2. If a 'plus' is playing a 'minus' pair, no adjustment is required.

At the start of each match, the players shall draw to decide who serves first and which end they will choose. This is more important than ever, as there is no change-of-ends.

Each match is one tie-break to 10 points. At 9-9, you have to win by two clear points.  However, if the match goes to 20-20, the match will go to sudden death and the next point will decide the winner.

Every match will begin on the 'deuce' side.

The player who serves first will serve for 1 point, and then their opponent will serve for the next 2 points. The players will alternate serves every 2 points for the rest of the match.

Match formats usually consist of a round-robin followed by a possible final or even some semi-finals depending on time.

If there is a larger turnout, multiple groups will be arranged, followed by a knockout stage.

In the event of a tie in the group between two pairs, head-to-head will be the tie-breaker.

If there is a tie between more than two pairs, head-to-head between the pairs involved will be the first tie-breaker. If there is nothing to separate the pairs, the points difference within the matches between the pairs involved will be the next stage of the tie-breaker.

Statistics on previous tournaments, performance ratings and list of winners