IAPS Tennis Tournament
Sunday 27 May - Monday 28 May
Entry requirements
This year, the IAPS Tennis Tournament is changing to a mixed team event.
A team will comprise of 4 children – 2 girls and 2 boys.
Each school can enter a maximum of two teams into each age group - U11 and U13.
Therefore, the maximum number of players each school can enter is 16. For example:
- U11 A team – 2 girls, 2 boys
- U11 B team – 2 girls, 2 boys
- U13 A team – 2 girls, 2 boys
- U13 B team – 2 girls, 2 boys.
In each category, a 16-team compass draw will be used. Therefore, entries from schools will be taken on a first come first servedbasis.
Teams must be nominated and play in ratings order with the highest rated player at number one. If players are the same rating, the team can choose which order they nominate the players in, but the players must stay in that order for the duration of the tournament.
Schools must enter the A category first and then the B category. If schools feel they have a weaker A team, they must still enter the A team division but may be moved to the B division by the referee depending upon their combined rating, and if space allows it.
For single sex schools, or schools that are unable to enter a mixed team, there is an “all comers” team competition where players will be matched up for some fun competition over the two days. (This only applies to single sex schools. Co-ed schools must enter the mixed competition). There is a box on the entry form to select “all comers”. The draw for this will be decided after the closing date of the entry.
Each player may only compete in one category in the competition e.g. only in category A of the U13’s.
LTA Ratings
Schools must submit their players LTA ratings for each player on the entry form. LTA ratings can be found here:
Or, if a player needs to be signed up for a BTM, this can be done at
Please note, children don’t have to have a BTM number to compete.
Tournament Format - Fast 4.
In each category (U11 A, U11 B, U13 A, U13 B), a 16-team compass draw will be used.There are 4 rounds to a compass draw.
All matches will be Fast 4 format. Please see details of Fast 4 Rules below.
Each team round of the compass draw will consist of 2 boys singles, 2 girls singles and 2 doubles rubbers, like the Aegon Team Tennis format.
The team with the most rubbers at the end of the match is the winner.
Example format:
Number 1 boy vs Number 1 boy
Number 2 boy vs Number 2 boy
Number 1 girl vs Number 1 girl
Number 2 girl vs Number 2 girl
Number 1 + 2 boys doubles vs Number 1 + 2 boys doubles
Number 1 + 2 girls doubles vs Number 1+2 girls doubles
If the match score is 3-3 upon completion, a deciding shoot out tie break to 10 (sudden death at 9-9) shall be played to decide the winner. One player from the boys pair and one player from the girls pair, nominated by the team, will play together as a mixed doubles team in this tie brake shoot out to determine the winning team.
Each match will be played on one court with players rotating on and off after matches as quickly as possible. There will be one teacher/coach i/c that is responsible for writing down the match score and submitting this match score to the tournament referee. An information booklet with rules and scorecards will be issued to each coach/member of staff at the start of the event.
Two rounds of the compass draw will be played on Sunday 27 and the final 2 rounds will be played on Monday 28. Every competitor will play 2 single matches and 2 double matches per day.
After the tournament, all results will be sent to the LTA so they will count towards ratings this year.
Tournament Schedule
Sunday 27 June / Monday 28 June9am
Registration / 8.45am
Registration
9.30 - 1.30pm
Round 1 of each compass draw / 9.00 – 1.00pm
Round 3 of each compass draw
1.30 - 5.30pm
Round 2 of each compass draw / 1.00 – 5.00pm
Round 4 of each compass draw
5.30pm
Social evening – a BBQ and fun activities will be arranged for all competitors at the Prep School. Parents can choose to pay for the BBQ on the evening. / Presentations 5pm
Depart 5.30pm
Entry Fee
The entry fee is £30 per competitor. This includesthe tournament entry, score cards, food on Saturday evening along with fun activities at the Prep School.
Refreshments
A selection of hot and cold food will be available to purchase throughout the duration of the tournament at each tennis venue. All competitors have food included in their entry fee for the Sunday evening. Food will also be available for adults to purchase at the Prep School on the Sunday evening.
Venue information and accommodation
Millfield’s Visitor Guide has lots of useful information about travelling to the venue and local accommodation. The tournament will take place across both the Prep and Senior School. The exact locations will be confirmed to you when the draw has been done.
FAST4 Tournament Scoring Format & Rules
1. Matches will be played as the best of two (2) short sets (first to four (4) games) with a short tiebreak (first to five (5) points, deciding point at four (4) points all) played at three (3) games all. If sets are even at the conclusion of the second set, a Match tiebreak (first to ten (10) points, deciding point at nine (9) points all) will be played to determine the outcome of the match.
2. A short tiebreak is a tiebreak played as the first to five (5) points, sudden death at 4-4. Players should change ends every four (4) points. The player whose turn it is to serve shall serve the first point of the tie-break game. The following two points shall be served by the opponent(s) (in doubles, the player of the opposing team due to serve next). After this, each player/team shall serve alternately for two consecutive points until the end of the tie-break game (in doubles, the rotation of service within each team shall continue in the same order as during that set).
3. All singles and doubles matches will be played using no-advantage scoring, with the receiver choosing the service side when the game reaches deuce.
4. No service lets will be played, meaning if the ball hits the net cord on a serve and lands (bounces) within the correct service box, play will continue. In doubles, if the ball hits the net cord on the serve and lands (bounces) within the correct service box, either player can return the ball (e.g.; the ball hits the net cord and drops over the net, the non-receiver can move across and return the serve).
5. When the players change ends at the end of a game and during a tiebreak game, play shall be continuous and the players shall change ends with players having to be ready to play within 60 seconds of the previous games completion. Players are not permitted to sit down during the change of ends during a set.
6. At the end of each set there shall be a set break of a maximum of ninety (90) seconds (Set Break). The Set Break maximum time starts from the moment that one point finishes until the first service is struck for the next point. Players are permitted to sit down at the end of a set.
7. Players are entitled to a 20 minute rest in between matches. The minimum rest periods may be reduced in exceptional circumstances.