Official Master Version

Tournament
Rulebook

Doubles format · The following rules apply to all matches unless otherwise specified by the Tournament Organizers.

Match Format

1.1 Matches will be played as doubles.
1.2 Each match consists of one set.
1.3 The first team to win six (6) games wins the match.
1.4 No tiebreaks will be played.
1.5 A team is not required to win by two games.
1.6 If the score reaches 5–5, the next game is a deciding game; the winner of that game wins the match 6–5.

Scoring Format

2.1 Games are scored: 15, 30, 40, Game.
2.2 No-ad scoring will be used.
2.3 At 40–40, a deciding point will be played.
2.4 The winner of the deciding point wins the game.

Warm-Up

3.1 Players are permitted up to five (5) minutes of warm-up before the start of each match.
3.2 Play must begin promptly following the warm-up period.

Equipment & Attire

4.1 Proper athletic footwear must be worn at all times on court.
4.2 Running shoes, tennis shoes, or court shoes are required.
4.3 Open-toed shoes, sandals, or barefoot play are not permitted.
4.4 Players are responsible for ensuring their equipment (rackets, grips, etc.) is safe and in playable condition.
4.5 Clothing must be appropriate for athletic competition.

Pre-Match Decision (Coin Toss / Racquet Spin)

5.1 A coin toss or racquet spin will determine which team has the first choice.
5.1.1 One team will be randomly selected to call the coin toss (heads or tails).
5.1.2 The selected team must make their call before the coin is flipped.
5.2 The winning team may choose ONE of the following: to serve or receive first, OR the side of the court.
5.3 The remaining option is automatically assigned to the opposing team.
5.4 After this decision, both teams must establish their serving order and receiving order for the match.

Serving & Receiving

6.1 Each team may choose which player serves first. Once established, the serving order must remain unchanged for the duration of the match.
6.2 Each team must establish a fixed receiving order before the match. This order must remain unchanged for the duration of the match.
6.3 Teams shall alternate serving games throughout the match.
6.4 Each game shall be served by a single designated player.
6.5 The server shall begin each game from the right-hand side (deuce court).
6.6 The server shall alternate between the right and left service courts after each point.
6.7 Serving and receiving order must remain continuous throughout the match, including after breaks or pauses. Any dispute must be raised immediately and verified; otherwise, the current sequence stands.

Court Positioning

7.1 Players may change left/right court positioning only at the end of each game.
7.2 No switching positions is permitted during a game.
7.3 Once a game has begun, players must remain in their chosen positions until the game is complete.

Serving Basics

8.1 Each point begins with a serve.
8.2 The server is allowed two attempts to start the point: First serve — if it lands in the correct service box, the point begins. Second serve — if the first serve is out, the server gets another attempt.
8.3 A serve that touches the net and lands in the correct service box is a let and is replayed.

Pace of Play

9.1 Players should maintain a steady and reasonable pace of play.
9.2 A maximum of approximately 20 seconds between points is expected.
9.3 Excessive delays may be addressed by the Tournament Organizers to keep matches on schedule.

Line Calls

10.1 All matches are self-officiated.
10.2 Players are responsible for making line calls only on their side of the court.
10.3 A ball may only be called out if a player clearly sees space between the ball and the line.
10.4 Line calls must be made immediately and honestly.
10.5 Line calls are final once the next point has started; previous points cannot be disputed afterward.
10.6 Only the immediately previous point may be disputed before the next point begins. Any earlier disputes are invalid unless unanimously agreed or corrected by Tournament Organizers.

Net Rules

Net Play & Contact

11.1 If a ball touches the net during a rally and lands in the opponent's court, play continues (the ball is live).
11.2 If the ball touches the net and goes out of bounds, it is out.
11.3 A ball may be played off the net during a rally if it remains in play.

Net Contact by Player / Equipment

11.4 A player may not touch the net or net posts while the ball is in play. Doing so results in loss of point.
11.5 This includes any intentional or unintentional contact with the net, net cord, or net posts when a point is active.
11.6 A player may not reach over the net to play the ball until it has crossed onto their side of the court.
11.7 A player may follow through over the net after striking the ball, provided initial contact occurred on their own side.

Racket Control & Shot Legitimacy

11.8 A player must maintain control of their racket when striking the ball. Intentionally throwing or releasing the racket toward the ball is not permitted and results in loss of point.
11.9 A double contact is permitted only if it occurs as part of one continuous, unintentional stroke. A player may not intentionally strike the ball twice.

Ball Contact with Player

11.10 If the ball in play touches any part of a player's body, clothing, or equipment (including racket), the following applies:
11.10.1 If the ball strikes a player before it has bounced twice on their side, the player who is struck loses the point.
11.10.2 If the ball is already out of play (fault, out, let, or stoppage), contact with a player has no effect on the result of the point.
11.10.3 Deliberately using the body or equipment to block or redirect a playable ball is considered interference and results in loss of point.

Net Post & Around-the-Net Play

11.11 A ball may be legally played around the outside of the net post, provided it travels outside the net posts and lands within the opponent's court.
11.12 A ball that strikes the net post and lands in the opponent's court remains in play.
11.13 A ball that strikes the net post and lands out of bounds is considered out.
11.14 A player may not touch the net post during a point while the ball is in play; doing so results in loss of point.
11.15 If a player is struck by a ball traveling legally around the net post, the standard ball-contact rule (11.10) applies.
11.16 The net post includes all fixed supports and hardware and is considered part of the court infrastructure for contact purposes but not part of the net crossing plane.

Lets & Court Interference

12.1 A serve that touches the net and lands in the correct service box is a let and is replayed.
12.2 Serves that hit the net and do not land in the correct service box are faults.
12.3 If a ball from another court enters the playing area during a point, play must stop immediately and the point is replayed.
12.4 If interference occurs after a point has clearly ended, the result of the point stands.
12.5 Any situation that creates a safety concern or significantly interferes with play may result in a let and replay of the point.
12.6 Players may call a let in interference situations. Intentional distraction or interference during a point is not permitted and may result in loss of point at the discretion of the Tournament Organizers.
12.7 Let calls must be made immediately when interference occurs. Repeated or clearly strategic let calls may be overruled by Tournament Organizers.
12.8 Final decisions on all interference situations rest with the Tournament Organizers.

Equipment, Ball, and Score Disputes

13.1 Disputes regarding equipment (including balls or rackets) must be resolved by Tournament Organizers.
13.2 If a ball becomes unplayable during a point, the point is replayed.
13.3 Score disputes must be raised immediately before the next point begins.
13.4 Only the immediately previous point may be disputed; earlier disputes are not valid unless unanimously agreed or corrected by Tournament Organizers.
13.5 Once the next point has started, the previous point's score stands as played unless otherwise ruled by Tournament Organizers.

Match Delay / No-Show Policy

14.1 A team must be ready to play at the scheduled match time.
14.2 A grace period may be enforced at the discretion of the Tournament Organizers (10 minutes maximum).
14.3 Failure to be ready within the allowed time may result in a default loss.
14.4 Tournament Organizers reserve the right to adjust timing or enforce defaults based on scheduling requirements.

Sportsmanship

15.1 Players are expected to compete in a respectful and sportsmanlike manner.
15.2 Unsportsmanlike conduct, abusive language, deliberate distractions, or repeated disputes may result in a warning or other action at the discretion of the Tournament Organizers.
15.3 All participants must respect opponents, partners, spectators, and tournament staff.

Tournament Organizers

16.1 The Tournament Organizers reserve the right to interpret these rules and make final decisions on any matters not specifically addressed herein.
16.2 Tournament Organizers have final authority on all disputes. Once a ruling is made, play must resume immediately.

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