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Rules and Tournament Format

Rules and Tournament Format


PREMIER TENNIS LEAGUE

Points Format:

PTL is adapting below points system from Fall season (2025) onwards.

Winning player/team:

  • Straight set wins, gets 14 points
  • Win in 3 sets, gets 12 points

Losing player/team

  • Gets as many points as game wins, but capped at a maximum of 8 points.
    Example:
  • Loss of 6/1 6/3 gets 4 points;
  • Loss of 6/2 6/3 gets 5 points;
  • Loss of 7/5 7/5 gets 8 points;
  • Loss of 6/2 2/6 6/2 gets 8 points

Walkover

  • Winning team gets 10 points; losing team gets 0

Match Format:

The first two sets are regular sets. For the third set, teams can choose to play either a full set or a 10-point tiebreaker(please see rules below for Indoor and Outdoor).

Matches must be completed within the allotted court time (if played indoors) or before daylight ends (if played outdoors).

Balls: The home team will provide the balls. Home and Away designations will be set up in Playpass(www.playpass.com/ptlc). Top listed name is Home. PTL does not endorse any specific balls. If the opposing team/players do not agree on the balls, PTL recommends using the default balls, ProPenn.

Points: Points will be awarded as mentioned above.

Toss: The toss winner will select either service or court.

Players must choose a side (Deuce or Ad) at the start of each set and remain on that side for the entire set.

PTL Timed Match Rules (Indoor):

Match Duration: All matches must be scheduled for a minimum of 90 minutes. 2 hours is recommended.

--During Semifinals and Finals, Courts can be booked for 2 ½ hours.

Warm-Up Limits

15 minutes (for 2-hour matches)

10 minutes (for 90-minute matches)

Timed Match Trigger (20-Minute Rule)

The timed match procedure begins 20 minutes before the scheduled end time.

Second Set Completion (20-Minute Rule): When the 20-minute mark is reached:

If a 2nd set is in progress, No-Ad scoring applies to the current and all remaining games in that set.

If a player/team leads by 2 or more games → wins the set.

If the lead is 1 game → play one deciding no-ad game.

If the score is tied → play a 7-point tiebreaker.

Third Set Rules

Imp: The 20-minute rule does NOT apply once the 3rd set has started.

If the 3rd set starts with ≥ 30 minutes remaining, play a full set (default). A 10-point tiebreaker may be played only by mutual agreement.

If the 3rd set starts with < 30 minutes remaining, a 10-point tiebreaker is the default. A full set may be played only by mutual agreement.

End-of-Match Procedure (Final Minutes)

If a full 3rd set is in progress:

  • No new game should be started in the final 2 minutes.
  • Players must complete the current game.
  • Player/team leading in games wins.
  • If tied → play one no-ad deciding game

If a 10-point tiebreaker is in progress:

  • No new point should be started in the final 1 minute.
  • Players must complete the current point.
  • Player/team leading in points wins.
  • If tied → play one deciding point.

Outdoor

For outdoor matches, there are no timed match restrictions. The 3rd set will be played as a full set by default. A 10-point tiebreaker may be played only if both players/teams agree.

Break Rules

A maximum 25-second break is permitted during side changes (after odd-numbered games).

If a side change does not occur, players may still take a 25-second break at that time.

A 90-second break is permitted between sets.

Extended or repeated breaks beyond these limits are not allowed.

If a player/team takes excessive breaks and the opponent objects, a 1-point penalty may be applied.

Late Arrival Policy

If a player/team is not ready by the end of warm-up: Opponent is awarded 1 game for every 5 minutes of delay

If the player is not ready after 30 minutes, the match is declared a walkover

Match Scheduling

Scheduling Responsibility:

Both teams/players are responsible for scheduling their matches.

Matches must be scheduled and confirmed at least a week before the league’s end date.

Proof of Scheduling Efforts:

Teams/players must provide documented proof (e.g., email or message exchanges) of their scheduling attempts if a match is not scheduled by the deadline.

Penalties:

If a team/player fails to respond to a scheduling request made at least three weeks before the end date, they will be issued a walkover loss unless they can demonstrate a valid reason (e.g., documented emergency).

If no proof of timely scheduling is provided and a walkover occurs in the last 2 weeks, the team requesting the walkover will not be considered for progression into any skill-based group (Warriors, Challengers, or Voyagers) or Playoffs.

Persistent Unresponsiveness:

Teams that repeatedly fail to respond to scheduling requests may face disqualification.

Walkover Consequences

One match Walkover:

  • Scheduling conditions apply.
  • Official warning.
  • Opponent is awarded the win.

More than one match Walkover:

  • Team is disqualified and not placed in any group playoffs (Warriors, Challengers, or Voyagers).

Group Placement Criteria in Walkover Situations

Wins awarded via walkover will count toward the team’s overall record but will not be included in performance metrics (e.g., game win percentage). In the event of a tie-on points, game win percentage from walkover matches will not be considered.

Minimum Match Completion Requirement

While all above conditions apply, Teams/Players must complete at least 80% of their scheduled matches to be eligible for placement in any group (Warriors, Challengers, or Voyagers).

Teams failing to meet this requirement will be disqualified.

PTL Discretion for Anomalies

The PTL committee reserves the right to:

  • Adjust group placements.
  • Disqualify teams.
  • Investigate and penalize any behavior that suggests intentional manipulation of results, scheduling, or performance to gain an unfair advantage.

Appeal Process

Teams may appeal penalties or disqualifications within 48 hours of the decision.

Appeals will be reviewed, and the committee’s decision will be final.

Injury / Inability to Continue During a Match 

Group Stage (Round-Robin Phase)

If a player/team is unable to continue a match due to injury or any other valid reason:

  • The match may be rescheduled and resumed from the exact score at the time of stoppage, only if both players/teams agree.
  • If both sides do not agree to reschedule, the match will be treated as a retirement, and the opponent will be declared the winner.

Resumption Rules:

The match must resume from the same score, server, and sides as when it was stopped.

The rescheduled match must be completed within the league timeline and approved by the tournament organizer.

Playoffs (Knockout Stage) 

If a player/team is unable to continue a match for any reason, the match will be treated as a retirement, and the opponent will be declared the winner.

No rescheduling is permitted during the playoff stage.

Scoring in Case of Retirement

All completed sets and games up to the point of stoppage will count.

The remaining games/sets will be awarded to the opponent as needed to complete the match scoreline.

Injury Time & Medical Timeout

A player/team may take a reasonable injury timeout (up to 5 minutes) to assess the situation.

If unable to resume after this period, the match will follow the rules above.

Fair Play & Misuse Prevention

Injury claims must be made in good faith.

Repeated or suspicious retirements may be reviewed by the PTL Organizing Committee, and appropriate action may be taken.

Umpiring

Umpiring will be optional during the initial round. Umpires will be provided upon request.

Mandatory umpiring will begin from the knockout rounds, with 2 umpires for each match.

Each player must umpire twice during the tournament. Failure to honor umpiring assignments will result in penalties for the team or player.

General Match Rules

Line Calls: Tennis relies on fair play. When an umpire is not present, players are responsible for making their own line calls. When an umpire is present, the umpire will make line calls or provide instructions prior to the match. In case of any dispute, the umpire’s decision is final.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Verbal abuse, intentional bad line calls, excessive questioning of calls, or rude behavior will not be tolerated. A player/team will receive a verbal warning for the first incident. After two incidents, one game will be awarded to the opposing team.

Calling “Out”: Players should not call “out” during a rally. If uncertain, players should say “check” and resolve the call after the point. Calling “out” during a rally may be treated as a hindrance, and the point may be awarded to the opposing team.

Distractions / Hindrance: Excessive shouting or any behavior that distracts the opponent is not permitted. If raised by the opposing team and deemed a hindrance, the point may be awarded to the opponent.

Special Match Situations

Net Play & Racquet Crossing Rules

A player’s racquet may cross over the net to the opponent’s side only as part of the natural follow-through of a legal stroke.

The ball must be struck on the player’s own side of the net first. Reaching over the net to hit the ball before it crosses is not allowed, unless:

  • The ball has already crossed to the player’s side and, due to spin or wind, travels back over the net without being touched. In this case, the player may reach over and play the ball.

A player (including racquet, body, or clothing) must not touch the net, net posts, or opponent’s court during a point.

If any contact occurs while the ball is in play, the player/team loses the point.

Crossing the net plane is allowed only after the ball has been struck, and only if:

  • There is no interference with the opponent’s ability to play the ball, and

No part of the player or racquet touches the net or opponent’s court before the point ends.

Any deliberate or unsafe movement across the net that distracts or interferes with the opponent may be treated as a hindrance, resulting in loss of point. 

Service Rules – Foot Faults & Positioning

Service Rules:

At the start of the service motion, the server must have both feet positioned behind the baseline, within the imaginary extensions of the center mark and sideline.

The server must not:

Step on or over the baseline before making contact with the ball

Run or walk during the serve (minor foot adjustments are allowed)

Touch the court inside the baseline with either foot before contact

The server is allowed to:

Lift one or both feet off the ground during the serve

Land inside the court only after making contact with the ball

Foot Faults:

A violation of these rules is considered a foot fault:

There will be one time warning to the player during the match. After the first warning:

First foot fault → counts as a fault

Subsequent foot faults → counts as a fault

Repeated or intentional foot faults may be treated as unsportsmanlike conduct and can lead to additional penalties at the discretion of the Organizing Committee.

 No Show

Group Stage (Round-Robin Phase)

If a player/team does not show up at the scheduled match time without prior notice, the match will be deemed a walkover in favor of the opponent.

Late Match Cancel Declaration

 If a player/team is unable to play a scheduled match within the next 12 hours, they must notify both the tournament organizer and the opponent immediately.

Conditions for Late Match Declaration

Court Fee Responsibility: The player/team unable to play at the scheduled time must pay total court fee for the originally scheduled match, unless another player/team utilizes that court time.

Walkover

 The match will be considered a walkover in favor of the opponent, unless the opponent agrees to reschedule.

Rescheduling Conditions

Rescheduling is permitted only if:

  • It does not impact the overall tournament schedule (e.g., no delays to subsequent rounds), and
  • The new match time is approved by the tournament organizer.


Court Usage for Rescheduled Matches (Indoor Courts Only)

  • Rescheduled matches cannot be played during high-demand weekday hours on PTL courts, unless the court remains unreserved up to 24 hours before the new match time.
  • Weekend court slots may be used, where availability is typically higher.
  • Outdoor matches may be rescheduled at any time, subject to player agreement.

Advancement to Next Rounds

Advancement to the next rounds will be scheduled on playpass site and also on the ranking sheet.

Player/Team Replacement Rule

 A player who withdraws from the tournament due to injury, personal reasons, or any other valid reason may be replaced.

Replacement Process:

  • The replacement player must be of the same skill level as the withdrawing player, as determined by the tournament organizers.
  • The replacement player will inherit the withdrawing player’s record, including the loss.
  • The replacement player will play all remaining scheduled matches in the group stage.

Impact on Standings:

  • Any matches already played by the withdrawn player will remain valid and counted in the group standings.
  • The replacement player must continue from where the previous player left off, ensuring minimal disruption to the tournament format.

Restrictions:

  • Replacement requests must be made before the player’s second match. After the first round of matches is completed, no further replacements will be allowed.
  • If the withdrawing player has played more than 1 match, they cannot be replaced. Their remaining matches will be considered forfeits.
  • The tournament committee reserves the right to approve or reject a replacement player based on skill level and fairness considerations.

Exception for Players/Teams who haven’t played any matches in the season:

The above rule applies only if a player has already played and then chooses to withdraw. However, if a player or team has not played any matches, a replacement of similar skill level may be made without any of the above conditions.

Injury Policy/Waiver Agreement:

Everyone must sign the waiver form before playing the first game or they will not be allowed to participate in the tournament.

Please note that PTL is not responsible for any injuries that may occur while playing matches. All participants play at their own risk and are encouraged to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during matches and practice sessions.


Other important rules:

Coaching is not permitted during matches.
Players must avoid phone usage during active play. Repeated interruptions may be treated as delay of play.

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