Singles Box League Rules

How the Box League Works
 Each round of the box league lasts about 2.5 months. Each player gets to play all other players in the same division, up to 5 matches per round. At the end of the round, the top two in each division gains promotion to the division above, while the bottom two moves down to the division below. If there is a significant amount of bad weather, the round may be extended.

Match Format
Box league matches will be played as best of 3 sets. The first 2 sets will be regular sets with a standard 7 point tie break played if the score reaches 6 games all. If the score is one all after 2 sets have been played, a championship tie break (first to 10 points, 2 points clear) should be played as a final set to decide the match.

Promotion / relegation
The top two players in each group will be promoted and the bottom two players will be relegated. Position within the group is worked out using the criteria in the following order.

• Players in each division will be arranged in order of the number of points they have won in the round. 5 points for a win – 2 point for a tie break loss - 1 point for a playing the match and not winning a set.
• If 2 players finish with the same amount of points, the higher position will go to the player who has played the most matches. If the two players have played the same number of matches then the player who won the head to head match between those 2 players will be promoted.
• If 3 or more players have the same amount of points the positions will be calculated by the number of points gained against the tied players (excluding points won against others in the division). If still equal it will go down to most wins, then most sets won, then most games won in the whole division, then least games lost in the whole division, then most championship tie break points won, then least championship tie break points lost. A Championship tie break = 1 set.
• If you play zero matches in the time frame you will be relegated.
• If you play zero matches in two consecutive seasons you will be withdrawn from the box leagues unless you specifically request to be re-entered.

To ensure that the players are put in the correct positions, it is essential that all players submit their results after each match, giving details of complete score including games. Without this information it is very difficult to ensure the correct players are promoted and relegated. It is the responsibility of the winning player to ensure the results are given in as soon as possible after the match.

Organising Matches
It is the duty of the player named first in the fixtures to organise the match. Matches can be played on any day at any time.

 Walkovers
 If a player contacts another player to arrange a match and suggests at least four dates (these dates must be at weekends between Oct and March or Weekends & evenings between April and Sept), and the other player is unable to play on any of the dates offered, a walkover may be claimed. When submitting results, please just state that the win was a walkover. A Walkover win will be counted as a 6-0, 6-0 result.

Submitting results
 Please email all results to hart_aj@yahoo.co.uk. It is the responsibility of the winning player to ensure the results are given in as soon as possible after the match.
  
New players
 New players entering the box league, or former players who are returning after having previously withdrawn from the league, will usually be entered into the lowest division available, from where they can try to move up in the next round. Occasionally, depending on how many players are in each division, a new player may be placed in a higher division if it is felt to be necessary, either because the player’s ability is too high for the lower division, or if there are no available places in the lower division. However, if there are no available places in higher divisions, new players will start in the lowest division, even if their ability is higher than would be expected in that division.

 Other information
 This competition is free for members of the Wellow Tennis Club. It is advised that members should book a court in advance for the match. All fixtures, tables and results will be kept up to date on the WTC website.

The decision of the league organiser is final!