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.

Important Dates & Sign Up

SOCIAL DOUBLES COMPETITIONS

  • TUESDAY 2026 TERM 1 SOCIAL DOUBLES: Starts FEBRUARY 3RD (BARTON TENNIS CLUB) – 9 WEEK COMPETITION

Sign Up 

  • Please try to sign up 3 weeks before the season start (subject to availability)
  • Final call New Players:  All players can still join between Grading Week 1 or 2 (subject to availability)
  • Final Call: Only past & current Tennis Canberra coaching & competition players can join between Grading week 2 & Round 1 (subject to availability)
  • The competition will finish in the last week of the school term. For most competitions each season will see (2 grading rounds, 6-7 pool rounds & finals round).  No matches will be played during the school holidays and any rainouts will postpone any fixtures to the following week.
  • The competition will end at the end of the term regardless on any cancellations due to rain or other circumstances as this will interfere with the following season competition start.

Venues

VENUES

  • Barton Tennis Club: 45 Telopea Park, Barton
  • Old Parliament House Tennis Club: King George Terrace, Parkes
  • Wesley Tennis Club (adj Telopea Park School): Corner of Dominion Circuit & New South Wales Crescent, Forrest

Start Times & Cost

Start Times

  • 6pm or  7pm

Please see which time corresponds to your competition bracket.

Cost 

  • $25/round per player (multiple by number weeks of the competition)

Rules

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

Doubles Partner

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.

Formats

Competition Format

  • 2 Grading Rounds, 5-7 Round Robin Pool Matches + 1 Finals Week

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.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: SOCIAL DOUBLES COMPETITION
Join the Facebook Social Doubles Group to Reserve