Registration and draws

Sign-ups for 2 events at most will be accepted. For doubles the strongest partner's division determines the placement. The rules and rankings from the GLTA and the National Associations will be used to determine players' divisions. The GLTA ranking determines the placement. In case a player does not have a GLTA ranking (yet), the rankings from the National Associations will be used to place participants in the correct division. GLTA rankings per 19 January 2012 will be used for the eligibility in the draw. If a participant still plays in an inappropriate division (too low) he or she will be defaulted. For seeding purposes also other information will be taken into account. After seeding and draw, substitutes are only allowed when play has not yet started in that category. Players will be assigned a new doubles partner if the original partner is on the waiting list or has withdrawn from the event.

Rules

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) tennis rules apply. GLTA rules as described below are added to the ITF rules. By participating in the Smashing Valentine tournament, players agree with the tournament rules.

Venues and days

Matches in men's singles (A,B, C and D) will start on Thursday February 9^th from 12.00AM on in Geldrop. All other events will start on Friday February 10^th. The matches will be played in Geldrop. 

Geldrop Banen resurfaced 6 of their courts to hard court. All matches in Men's Open, A and B will be played on these courts.
The other 9 courts remain carpet. All matches in Men's C and D, All Women matches and all mixed matches will be played on carpet courts. 

• Please report to the tournament desk 30 minutes prior to each match.
• All matches will be the best of 2 of 3 sets. The third set will be a match tie-break (tie-break untill 10 points).
• All consolation matches (both singles and doubles) will be played as a pro-set (see 'consolation rounds).
• Some events will be played in round robins. For every match you win, you receive 2 points. The player with most points is the winner of the round robin. When there is a tie in the number of points, the head-to-head result determines the final outcome. If this doesn't result in a winner, we will check the relative set difference, after that the relative game difference, sets balance, games balance, sets won, and games won. If all these do not give a result, it will be tossed.
• Warm up times are limited to 5 minutes only.
• Please report the match results at the tournament desk after the match.
• Between matches a 30-minutes break is allowed after a singles match and a 15-minutes break after a doubles match.
• Field officials are present to check balls, warm-up times, rest periods and to be of assistance.

Trophees

In all categories first and second prizes are awarded. In those categories with only 1 round robin, only the winners are awarded a prize. In the consolation rounds only the winners are awarded a prize.

Late arrival

A penalty for late arrival, based on GLTA rules, will be incurred from the moment the match has been announced (there is a free court available) as of the announced start of your match. It is the player's responsibility to arrange transportation, get directions if necessary, and arrive in time.

• Up to 5 minutes late: loss of toss and 1 game,
• 5 to 10 minutes late: loss of toss and 2 games,
• 10 to 15 minutes late: loss of toss and 3 games,
• more than 15 minutes late: disqualification.

Balls and courts

• All matches will be played with tba balls.
• The balls will be used for a maximum of 3 matches.
• New balls will also be provided for each final.
• After each match balls have to be returned to the tournament desk.
• For singles always use the singles posts.

Consolation rounds

Consolation rounds are open to all players who lost in the first match in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. There are no consolation rounds in round robin events. Please note that the organisation and the rules for consolation have changed this year.

All consolation players in a certain draw will be expected at a set time to play. Depending on the number of players we will make a draw for the consolation on the spot (custom draw). This implies that only players present will be able to play consolation rounds. Matches in the consolation rounds will be played as a pro-set. This is a set until 8 games with a difference of at least 2 games and, when needed, a regular tiebreak at 8-8.

Attire and shoes

Proper tennis attire is required when on court. Wearing shirts is required. For playing on carpet courts we advise special indoor shoes. Shoes need to be clean.

Do’s and don’ts

• Always enter the courts through the appropriate entrance.
• Avoid disturbing other matches.
• Players shall not engage in unsporting conduct or disturb other players.
• A player is not allowed to receive coaching during a match.
• Do not enlist the aid of spectators in making line calls.
• Wait until players on another court have completed a point before retrieving or returning a ball.

Unforeseen delay

In case of an unforeseen delay, the tournament committee can opt for one or more of the following:

• Games will be shortened by using the sudden death rule at 40-40 in each game. This point is decisive for the game win; the receiver chooses the side he or she wants to receive the service (but in mixed doubles: man to man and woman to woman).
• Sets will be shortened until 4 games with 2 games difference and a tiebreak at 4-4.
• The third set will be shortened to a normal tiebreak.
• The tournament committee decides which option will be applied. This will be announced prior to the match.

Other

In any case this tournament rules do not foresee, the tournament committee will decide.