2009 Alabama Southern Combo State Championship

Court Conduct
All players will abide by the USTA Rules and “The Code.”  The server will call the score after each point, clearly and loudly enough for his/her opponent to hear.  Line calls will be made as accurately as possible, always giving the benefit of any doubt to your opponent.  Remember that if you cannot call your opponent’s shot out, it is presumed good!  Do not ask opinions from spectators.  No coaching of any player will be permitted at any time.  Please follow all rules of considerate behavior.  Return balls from other courts promptly.  Be ready to receive serve promptly.  Always insure that your opponent is ready for your serve. 

Rules

1. DUNLOP will be the official ball.  Play may be scheduled on soft or hard courts unless deemed otherwise by the tournament committee.

2. The round robin format of play will be used.  All matches shall be the best of two sets and the set tiebreak shall be used at 6-all in each set.  In lieu of a third set, a match tie break shall be played.  There will be a two-minute break after each set with no coaching. 

All tiebreaks will use the Coman tiebreak as follows: 

The Coman tiebreak procedure is identical to the regular tiebreak procedure except that the players change ends after the first point and then after every four points, and at the conclusion of the tiebreak.  

The player whose turn it is to serve shall serve the first point from the deuce court.

After the first point, the players shall change ends and the following two points shall be served by the opponent(s) (in doubles, the player of the opposing team due to serve next) starting from the add court.

After this, each player/team shall serve alternately for two consecutive points (starting from the ad court); changing ends after every four points, until the end of the tie break game.

Switch sides after points 1,5,9,13,17..…. and at the conclusion.

The match tiebreak shall be scored as 1 set and 1 game.  (The Referee may authorize alternate scoring in order to complete play on schedule.)  A team is awarded one (1) team point for winning a team match.  The teams with the most team points will win their round robin or if in groups their flight and will proceed to the finals.  In the event of a tie, after completing play in their round robin, or respective groups, the tie will be broken by the first of the following procedures that does so:

A:         Individual Matches.  Winner of the most individual matches in the entire competition.
B:         Sets.  Loser of the fewest number of sets.
C:         Games.  Loser of the fewest number of games.
            For the purpose of this provision, the following rules shall apply:
1)                  Retirement.  In case of a retirement after a match has started, the non-retiring party shall be credited with such number of additional games as would have been won if the match was completed and the non-retiring party won every subsequent game.
2)                  Forfeits & Defaults.  The non-forfeiting and/or non-defaulting party shall be credited with a 6-0, 6-0 win.
D:         Head-to-head.  Winner of head-to-head match.
E:         Coin toss.
Note:  Should inclement weather or other circumstances prevent the completion of tournament play, and the Tournament Committee has not cancelled the event, these tiebreak procedures will be used to declare a winner in each group or round robin and a champion in each level.

3. A 10-minute warm-up period, including serves, and a 15-minute default period shall be observed throughout the event.

4. At the conclusion of each individual match, the winner(s) must return to the Tournament Desk to return balls, and report scores.  At the conclusion of the team match, both captains must return to the Tournament Desk to sign the scorecard.

5. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to alter the format, the scoring method or terminate the team match when one team has won the majority of the points.  However, without directive from the Tournament Committee, teams are expected to play all matches to completion.

6. In the event of inclement weather, court surfaces may change based on availability.

7. All USTA Official Rules of Play, USTA League Tennis Regulations, the USTA Code of Conduct, and the USTA Point Penalty System will be enforced.  A 10-minute warm-up period, including serves, and a 15-minute default period shall be observed throughout the event.

8. Players are expected to wear tennis attire appropriate for this event.