Registration and draws

Sign-ups for 2 categories 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 highest ranking determines the placement. GLTA rankings per January 14th 2010 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 cancelled.

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 noon February 4th in Geldrop. All other events will start on Friday February 5th. The matches will be played in Geldrop. On Friday matches will also be played at De Brug Active in Mierlo (adjacent to Geldrop).

• Please report to the tournament desk 30 minutes prior to each match!
• All singles matches will be the best 2 of 3 sets, with a tiebreak at 6-6 in every set.
  All doubles matches will be the best of 2 of 3 sets. The third set will be a champions tie-break (tie-break until 10 points).
• All consolation matches will be played as a pro-set (see 'consolation rounds).
• Some events will be played in round robins. For every match you win, you get 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 result between the two determines the final outcome. If this doesn't give 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.
• Please report the match results at the tournament desk after the match
• Between matches a 30-minute break is allowed after a singles match and a 15-minute 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: loss of toss and 1 game,
• 5 to 10 minutes: loss of toss and 2 games,
• 10 to 15 minutes: loss of toss and 3 games,
• more than 15 minutes: disqualification.

Balls and courts

• All matches will be played with Dunlop Fort balls.
• The balls will be used for a maximum of 3 matches.
• New balls will also be provided for each final.
• After each match the balls have to be returned to the tournament desk.
• For singles always use the single 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. If you want to participate in the consolation rounds, please sign up at the tournament desk immediately after the match. Note: players who don’t sign up, cannot play in the 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 tiebreak at 8-8.

Attire and shoes

Proper tennis attire is required when on court. Wearing shirts is obligatory. 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. This point is decisive for the game win; the receiver chooses the side he or she wants to receive the service (in mixed doubles: man to man and woman to woman.
• The third set in singles will be shortened to a super tiebreak; this tiebreak lasts untill 10 points (in contrary to a normal tiebreak of 7 points).
• 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.