Canberra Social Doubles Competitions
Our very popular Social Doubles gives the opportunity for players of Tennis Canberra to feel tennis at a competitive level in a fun social environment.
Matches are modified so players can get their weekly tennis fix and a modified scoring system keeps all matches interesting until the very end.
Sign up with a friend or if you don’t have a partner we’ll find you one. Our competition format is designed so all players are playing matches to suit their standard.
*Final Grading Call May 13th: Players can start in Grading Week 2 (New & Exisiting Tennis Canberra Players)
**Final Call May 20th: Players can start in official Pool Round 1 (Past & Exisiting Tennis Canberra Coaching & Competition Players Only)
Season Launch
- South Canberra Competition: Tuesday May 7th (grading week 1), Season Launch
– May 14th* (Grading Week 2)
– May 21st** (Pool Round 1) - North Canberra Competition: Wednesday May 8th (grading week 1) – Season Launch
– May 15th* (Grading Week 2)
– May 22nd** (Pool Round 1)
Sign Up
- Monday May 6th or when our player limited has exhausted
- *Final grading call Monday May 13th: All players can start in Grading Week 2 (subject to availability)
- **Final Call May 20th: Only past & current Tennis Canberra coaching & competition players can join in this period (subject to availability)
- The competition will finish approximately 8-10 weeks after the season launch. Each season will see 7-8 rounds scheduled. No matches will be played during the school holidays and any rainouts will postpone any fixtures to the following week.
South Canberra
- Old Parliament House Tennis Club: King George Terrace, Parkes
- Barton Tennis Club: 45 Telopea Park, Barton
North Canberra
- Turner Tennis Club: 49 Condamine St, Turner
Start Times
- 6pm, 7pm or 8pm
We understand some players struggle to make certain times. We advise if you are going to sign up you are able to make at least a 7pm session and either 6pm & 8pm. We will do our very best to schedule you at your preferred time however we do ask you to be flexible from week to week.
Cost
- *$15/round + $10 Comp Fee per player ($130/player)
*Multiplied by number of rounds in the season (typically 7-9 rounds pending sign up).
Play 3 Fast 4 Sets
Set 1 – Play a standard Fast 4 Set + Basic Rules
- Short Deuce Games – 0, 15, 30, 40 & game (no advantage points)
- Start each game on the right side
- If the score is Deuce (40-all) the returning team can choose which side to start the point
- Change ends when set game score equals an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7)
- Play a tie-breaker at 3-games-all (first to 5 points) – Player 1 (team 1), players 2 (team 2) & player 3 (team 1) serves 2 points in this order. Player 4 (team 2) serves 3 points – if necessary.
Second Set – Advantage Set – 15-love
- The team who loses the first set is 15-love or love-15 for every game in the second
- Start of each game on the left side (you pretend you have played the first point)
- If the set goes to a tie-break (3-games-all) you start the tie-break as normal (0-0)
Third Set – 2 Situations
- If the score is 1-set-all, start each game at 15-all (start each game on the right)
- If one team is up 2-sets-to-love, the team that is on love-sets will have a 15-love advantage for all games in the third set (start each game on the left)
Third Serve – For Starter/Beginner Division
- We may activate a third serve rule for lower starter/beginner pools
The first question we get asked is what if I don’t have a partner?
- 50% of players sign up individually and we’ll pair you up with a partner!
If you do have a partner…
- Sign up individually and be sure to let us know who you would like to play with.
Competition Format
- Season Comps: 2 Grading Rounds, 5 Round Robin Pool Matches + 1 Finals Week
- Lightning Comps: 5-Week Round Robin Pool Matches
Match Format
- 3-Fast4 Sets (Tie-Breaker at 3-all)
- 15-love (0-15) handicap for the team down in match sets
- 15-all start if set score is 1-set-each
Don’t stress if you don’t understand these rules. All rules will be explained during the first round. We’ve tinkered with the rules of the years to maximise the social competition aspect of tennis.
