Tennis Playing Rules

1. The courts are open for play from 9.00 am daily until dark unless the, groundsman, court ranger or a committee member decides the courts are unfit for play, and puts up a notice that the courts are closed.

2. Floodlights on court 3 not be used after 7.30 pm, on other courts after 10.00 pm due to planning conditions - they switch off automatically.

3. Courts are available when they are not being used for matches, tournament games, designated social sessions or coaching. A court diary is maintained by the Secretary. Enquiries as to availability and bookings (see below) should be made via her.

4. Members may bring playing guests, up to six visits per year. Cost £3 per adult and £2 per junior each visit, to be paid to a committee member.

5. The same players, on the same court, may not play two sets in succession if other adult members are waiting; no long sets if people are waiting; adult doubles play has priority, singles may only be played if courts are free.

6. Home matches played for the Club, i.e. the Middlesex Summer League, Middlesex Cup, Winter Floodlit League and junior fixtures have priority on Courts 1-3. These are publicised in advance - any subsequent changes must be agreed with the Secretary with as much notice as possible. She will then advise members as feasible.

7. Other matches, i.e. postal tournaments, friendly matches, team trials etc, must be agreed and booked in advance with the Secretary, at any time of the year. Times reserved for social tennis should be avoided if at all possible.

8. A court booking system may operate for matches played for the Club Tournament during September.

9. Events organised by the Committee, e.g. American Tournaments may require all the courts on occasion.

10. At the times reserved for social tennis courts 1 - 3 as a minimum will be available if needed - and those participating have priority.

11. One court is always available for junior members to play on (doubles please if other juniors are waiting) at weekends. This is macadam Court 7, except when group coaching and social sessions coincide, when shale court 5 is available. Court 10 is a junior court.

12. Coaching:

    • for individuals has priority on court 6 at all times except when matches for the Club are taking place on courts 1 - 3, when court 4 is reserved.

    • group coaching has priority on courts 6 and 7 except when matches for the Club are taking place on courts 1 - 3. Group coaching sessions must be agreed with the Secretary in advance.

    • Junior coaching has priority from 4-7pm weekdays during term time and until 12.30pm on Saturday morning but courts will be made available for adults who wish to play at these times

13. Behaviour and dress:

    • Do not cross a court while play is in progress. Wait for the point to finish and ask to cross at the net - not at the back of the court

    • Wait for a convenient break in play before retrieving a stray ball and do not interrupt a point

    • No undue noise on court, swearing or racket throwing, please

    • Wind down nets and unhook net weights after play

    • Take care not to leave chewing gum anywhere near the courts

    • Bicycles may not be ridden on the club grounds

    • Non playing children are not allowed on the courts and must be supervised by an adult at all times

    • Unsuitable footwear can damage the courts - only white tennis shoes with proper soles are permitted (no black soles, studded or serrated shoes)

    • Track suits and tops may be coloured. Shorts and skirts should be recognised tennis wear (in any colour), but white is preferred. Shirts should be predominantly white and/or recognised tennis wear. Other sports kit is not acceptable - eg. leggings, cycling shorts, football shorts,