Updated 7 February 2023

1.   INTRODUCTION

1.1. The Singapore Tennis Association Inter-Club Doubles Knock-Out (“Competition”) is owned and managed by the Singapore Tennis Association (“STA”). References to Competition shall refer to the Competition held each year.

1.2. The Competition shall be governed by (a) these competition rules (“STA Rules”), (b) the ITF Rules of Tennis and all other applicable rules and regulations (collectively, the “ITF Rules”) issued by the International Tennis Federation (“ITF”), and (c) any other rules, policies or documents issued by the STA and/or the ITF from time to time that apply according to their terms to the Competition (“Additional Applicable Rules”), each as amended from time to time (the STA Rules, the ITF Rules and the Additional Applicable Rules shall be collectively referred to as the “Rules”). The Rules apply to all grades of the Competition, affiliated clubs of the STA and their respective team(s) participating in the Competition (each, a “Club” and collectively, the “Clubs”) and their respective players. 

1.3. Each Club and its players are required to review and be familiar with the latest version of the Rules. A copy of the Rules may be obtained from the STA.

1.4. By submitting an entry and/or by participating in the Competition, each Club and its players are deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to comply with the Rules and will be liable, singly or jointly, for the consequences set out in the Rules in case of any breach.

1.5. The tournament supervisor/referee (“Tournament Official”) appointed by the STA shall act as the final on-site authority for the interpretation of the Rules with respect to all matters arising that require immediate resolution at the competition venues. Matters that do not require immediate resolution at the competition venues shall be determined by the STA Management Committee.

2.   RIGHTS OF THE TOURNAMENT REFEREE

2.1. The Tournament Official reserves the right to accept or reject any entry for the Competition without assigning a reason.

2.2. The Tournament Official reserves the right to alter the format of the Competition in any way the Tournament Official deems necessary.

2.3. The Tournament Official reserves the right to remove under-graded players from a team. Such affected team will be allowed to make a one-for-one replacement before the commencement of the Competition. After the Competition commences, Section [*12.2] shall apply.

2.4. The Tournament Official reserves the right to reschedule a match as it deems necessary.

2.5. The Tournament Official reserves the right to extend the duration of the Competition for such period of time as the Tournament Official deems necessary. An extension will not be granted at the request of any Club, team(s) and/or player(s). 

3.   TITLE

3.1. The Competition shall be officially referred to as the “STA Inter-Club Doubles Knock-Out”.

3.2. In the event there is a main sponsor for the Competition held in any year, the name of the main sponsor may be included in the event title such that the Competition for that year may be officially referred to as “[XX] Inter-Club Doubles Knock-Out”.

4.   GRADES TO BE CONTESTED

4.1. Kliny Cup for Men’s “A” Grade

4.2. Chua Cup for Men’s “B” Grade

4.3. Chan Cup for Men’s “C” Grade

4.4. Chan Cup for Men’s “D” Grade

4.5. Martha Young Cup for Ladies

4.7. U10 Juniors Category for juniors 10 and under (Mixed Gender)

4.8. U12 Juniors Category for juniors 12 and under (Mixed Gender)

4.9. Mixed Doubles' Knockout

(each, a “Championship”)

Each Club is permitted to submit a maximum of two (2) teams per Championship.

5.   FORMAT OF COMPETITION

5.1. Prior to the start of the Competition, a draw will be conducted to determine the fixtures.

5.2. The previous year’s finalists will be seeded for the draw. This shall only apply to the Kliny Cup and the Martha Young Cup.

5.3. Each tie will consist of three (3) doubles’ matches.

5.4. All matches shall be played to two (2) tie-break sets (seven (7) points) and a match tie-break (ten (10) points), in place of a third set. The no-ad scoring system shall not be implemented in the Competition.

5.5. For U10 and U12 categories, the format shall be as follows:

• 5.4.1. Fast 4: A best of three (3) tiebreak sets, first to reach four (4) games. A set is therefore won at 4-0, 4-1, 4-2, etc.
• 5.4.2. At 3-3, a 7-point tiebreak will be played, based on the first player to reach seven (7) points.
• 5.4.3. At 6-6 tiebreak, a deciding point shall be played.

5.6. For each tie, the winner shall be the team with the maximum number of matches won.

5.7. Each losing team shall be immediately eliminated from the Competition.

5.8. Any dispute arising out of, or related to, a match, shall be brought to the Tournament Official’s attention immediately. Any protests and appeals will not be entertained after a match is completed.

6.   REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS

6.1. A player shall be allowed to play in one (1) category and for one (1) Club only. A player may switch to another Club for subsequent Competitions provided that, with respect to players in the Grades listed in Section 4.1 to Section 4.8, such player stays in the same Grade or moves up to a higher Grade and shall not play in a lower Grade. With respect to the Grades listed in Sections 4.7 and 4.8, players may play in any age-group category in subsequent Competitions for as long as they fulfil the age-group eligibility.

6.2. Only a bona fide member of a Club, whose name has been submitted on the official entry form for the Competition may participate in the Competition. An employee of any Club who is not a member of the Club shall not be eligible to play in the Competition.

6.3. Each team may register a minimum of six (6) players and a maximum of fifteen (15) players.

6.4. A non-playing captain in any of the junior categories must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age. The captain’s responsibility shall include the booking of courts and liaising with the away team for matches.

6.5. Clubs shall ensure that each player’s name submitted in the entry forms are consistent with the player’s Singaporean national identity card or passport (for non-citizens).

6.6. Age Eligibility

U10 Category - Born 10 and Under¹
U12 Category - Born 12 and Under¹

6.7. Players must produce documentary proof of identity if requested by the opponent.

^​1 Age Eligibility for Juniors, STA take reference to Year of Birth
² Please note the STA will keep all information relating to registration of players private and confidential.

7.   AMENDMENT TO A PLAYER'S REGISTRATION DETAILS

7.1. Each team may submit a written request by email to the STA to amend the names of players on their entry form submitted to the STA, provided that such request is submitted prior to the closing deadline notified by the STA.

8.   PROMOTION OF PLAYERS FROM WINNING TEAM

8.1. Only the champion team of the Competition and the Inter-Club Knockout League (the “ICDKO”) shall be promoted to the next Championship or Grade (as defined in the ICDL Rules, if applicable). Following the promotion, they will remain in that Grade for a period of one (1) year.

8.2. The team promotion will apply to all registered team members of the champion team, and will take effect immediately after the completion of each Championship, or the ICDL. However, players who were placed on the reserved list and did not play any match throughout the Competition may choose to remain in the same Championship or Grade prior to the team promotion.

8.3. The equivalent of the Grades between the Competition and the ICKL is set out below.

8.4. If, in any given year, any player registered to play in the Men’s “D” Grade is a named player of the Competition’s Chan Cup champion team, such player shall be automatically promoted and eligible to play in the Chua Cup. As the Chua Cup corresponds to the Men’s “B” Grade for the ICDL, such player will earn a “double promotion” and remain in the Men’s “B” Grade for a period of (1) year from the conclusion date of the competition.

8.5. At the time of the team promotion contemplated in section [*8.2]

8.5.1. Players above forty-five (45) years old will be promoted up to “B” Grade only in the Men’s/Ladies’ categories, but may elect to play in the “A” Grade instead. Those eligible for promotion may elect to remain in the “B” Grade, but may not be downgraded to “C” Grade.

8.5.2. Players above fifty-five (55) years old will be promoted up to “C” Grade only in the Men’s/Ladies’ categories, but may elect to play in the “B” Grade instead. Those eligible for promotion may elect to remain in the “C” Grade, but may not be downgraded to “D” Grade.

9.   GRADING OF PLAYERS

9.1. It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that each player is registered for the correct Grade according to that player’s results achieved in previous Competitions and ICDL competitions.

9.2. For events such as the STA Open Doubles, Advanced Doubles and Intermediate Doubles, the corresponding inter-club Doubles Knock-Out for STA tournaments are as follows:

9.3. Clubs that wish to downgrade any player must apply in writing to the STA for approval.

9.4. Runner-ups and semi-finalists of the Chan Cup in the ICDKO shall not be permitted to play in the “D” Grade of the Competition for a period of one (1) year.

10.   NO PLAYER RANKING

10.1. Teams are not required to submit their team line-up according to strength.

11.   FIELDING OF PLAYERS

11.1. Teams found to have fielded unregistered players and/or non-bona fide Club members shall be immediately disqualified from the Competition for that year.

11.2. Teams found to have fielded players not in accordance with their appropriate Grade shall be immediately disqualified from the Competition for that year.

12.   WALK-OVERS

12.1. A walkover will be awarded fifteen (15) minutes after a player fails to show up. The fifteen (15) minutes shall start from the time the match is scheduled to start.

12.2. Three (3) calls starting from the scheduled start time shall be made for the player at an interval of approximately five (5) minutes each. 

12.3. If a match has been scheduled but is delayed due to the unavailability of tennis courts, players are expected to wait for their matches to be called. If the match is called and a player fails to show up after the third call, a walkover shall be awarded against the player who failed to show up. Each call will be made at intervals of approximately one (1) minute each. 

12.4. In the event of a walk-over, the score shall be recorded as 6-0, 6-0. 

13.   SUBMISSION OF TEAM LINE-UP

13.1. The submission of team line-ups must be done no later than five (5) minutes before each tie is scheduled to start. Thereafter, three (3) calls at approximately one (1) minute intervals will be made to request the team captain to submit the line-up. At the end of the third call, a walkover will be declared if the team line-up is not received by the Tournament Official.

13.2. The names of the players forming the team line-up shall be written neatly and legibly, with each player’s name spelled in full according to his/her Singaporean national identity card or passport (for non-citizens).

13.3. After the submission of the team line-up, no changes shall be allowed.

14.   INCLEMENT WEATHER

14.1. In the event of rain, all team captains and all players must still show up at the Competition site so that play can start when the rain stops.

14.2. The Tournament Official shall make an announcement, informing all players to dry their Courts when the rain stops. Should any pair fail to report fifteen (15) minutes after the announcement is made, the pair will be defaulted (i.e. conceding a walkover). No appeal will be accepted.

15.   POSTPONEMENT OF MATCHES

15.1. In the event of a postponement, the players in the line-up who have already started play cannot be substituted. The other players in the line-up who have not started play may be substituted. Play shall commence after one point had been played for any match begins.

16.   LEAVING THE COURT

16.1. During the semi-final and final stages of the Competition, no player may leave the court during a match (including warm-up) without the express permission of the chair umpire or Tournament Official.

17.   BEST EFFORTS

17.1. A player shall use all best efforts to win his/her matches.

17.2. Non-compliance by any player with Section 17.1 shall subject the player to a ban on participating in the Competition for up to one (1) year.

18.   FAILURE TO COMPLETE MATCH

18.1. Any player nominated for a match must commence and/or complete his/her match, unless illness, accident or other unavoidable hindrance renders him/her unable to commence and/or complete the match.

18.2. Non-compliance by any player of Section 18.1 shall subject the player to a ban on participating in the Competition for up to one (1) year.

19.   UNREASONABLE DELAYS

19.1. Players shall commence play upon order of the chair umpire or Tournament Official immediately after the expiration of the match warm-up period.

19.2. Thereafter, play shall be continuous from the time the match starts (when the first service of the match is put in play) until the match finishes. Unless the chair umpire or Tournament Official permits, in accordance with applicable rules, no player shall unreasonably delay play for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, deteriorating physical condition, injury, or refusal to play.

19.3. Between points, a maximum of twenty (20) seconds is allowed. If the first service is a fault, the server shall serve again without delay.

19.4. When the players change ends at the end of a game, a maximum of ninety (90) seconds is allowed. If the first service is a fault, the server shall serve again without delay.

19.5. The receiver shall play to the reasonable pace of the server and must be ready to receive when the server is ready to serve.

19.6. Any player’s first violation of this Section shall be penalised by a warning. Each subsequent violation shall be penalised by the assessment of one (1) point penalty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when a violation has arisen due to deterioration of physical condition, injury or refusal to play after being ordered to play by the chair umpire or the Tournament Official, a penalty shall be imposed in accordance with Section 28 (Point Penalty Schedule).

20.   SAFETY

20.1. All Clubs and their respective players agree to be bound by the STA’s Safe Sport Statement as amended from time to time (“Statement”), which terms are deemed to be incorporated by reference in this provision. The latest version of the Statement can be accessed here.

20.2. In the event that the STA determines that a Club or player has breached the Statement, without prejudice to any remedies the STA may have against the Club and/or player and in addition to the penalties set out in the Rules, the STA may, in its sole discretion, impose such penalties that it deems appropriate (including without limitation, expulsion from any tournament organised or sanctioned by the STA, ban from any tournament organised or sanctioned by the STA, warning, reprimand, be considered to be not in good standing with the STA, paying a financial penalty, or a combination of such measures). The STA’s decision will be final and binding on the Club and/or player.

21.   AUDIBLE OBSCENITY

21.1. No player shall use audible obscenity within the premises (including the surrounding areas) where matches are held.

21.2. Audible obscenity shall include the use of words commonly known or understood to be profane and uttered clearly and loudly enough to be heard by the chair umpire, spectators, linesmen and/or ball kids. The determination on whether anything said constitutes audible obscenity shall be in the sole discretion of the chair umpire or Tournament Official, final and binding on the Club, team and/or player, and not subject to appeal.

21.3. Non-compliance by any player with Section 21.1 during play (including warm-up) shall subject the player to a penalty in accordance with Section 28 (Point Penalty Schedule). Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, the STA Management Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, to impose additional penalties on the Club, team and/or player. Such determination shall be final and binding on the Club, team and/or player and not subject to appeal.

22.   VISIBLE OBSCENITY

22.1. No player shall use visible obscenity within the premises (including the surrounding areas) where matches are held.

22.2. Visible obscenity shall include the making of signs by a player with his hands, racket and/or balls commonly known or understood to be obscene. The determination on whether anything done constitutes visible obscenity shall be in the sole discretion of the chair umpire or Tournament Official, final and binding on the Club, team and/or player, and not subject to appeal.

22.3. Non-compliance by any player with Section 22.1 during play (including warm-up) shall subject the player to a penalty in accordance with Section 28 (Point Penalty Schedule). Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, the STA Management Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, to impose additional penalties on the Club, team and/or player. Such determination shall be final and binding on the Club, team and/or player and not subject to appeal.

23.   ABUSE OF BALLS

23.1. No player shall commit ball abuse within the premises (including the surrounding areas) where matches are held.

23.2. Abuse of balls shall include intentionally hitting a ball out of the enclosure of the court, hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court, hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences, or violently, dangerously or with anger, hitting, kicking or throwing a tennis ball. The determination on whether anything done constitutes ball abuse shall be in the sole discretion of the chair umpire or Tournament Official, final and binding on the Club, team and/or player, and not subject to appeal.

23.3. Non-compliance by any player with Section 23.1 during play (including warm-up) shall subject the player to a penalty in accordance with Section 28 (Point Penalty Schedule). Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, the STA Management Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, to impose additional penalties on the Club, team and/or player. Such determination shall be final and binding on the Club, team and/or player and not subject to appeal.

24.   ABUSE OF RACQUETS OR EQUIPMENT

24.1. No player shall commit abuse of racket or equipment within the premises (including the surrounding areas) where matches are held.

24.2. Abuse of rackets or equipment shall include, intentionally and violently destroying or damaging rackets or equipment, intentionally and violently hitting the net, court, umpire’s chair or other fixture during a match out of anger or frustration, or violently, dangerously or with anger, hitting, kicking or throwing a racket or other equipment. The determination on whether anything done constitutes an abuse of racket or equipment shall be in the sole discretion of the chair umpire or Tournament Official, final and binding on the Club, team and/or player, and not subject to appeal.

24.3. Non-compliance by any player with Section 24.1 during play (including warm-up) shall subject the player to a penalty in accordance with Section 28 (Point Penalty Schedule). Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, the STA Management Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, to impose additional penalties on the Club, team and/or player. Such determination shall be final and binding on the Club, team and/or player and not subject to appeal.

25.   VERBAL ABUSE

25.1. No player shall commit verbal abuse against any official, opponent, spectator or another person within the premises (including the surrounding areas) where matches are held.

25.2. Verbal abuse shall include any statement directed at an official, opponent, spectator or another person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting, or otherwise abusive. The determination on whether anything done constitutes verbal abuse shall be in the sole discretion of the chair umpire or Tournament Official, final and binding on the Club, team and/or player, and not subject to appeal.

25.3. Non-compliance by any player with Section 25.1 during play (including warm-up) shall subject the player to a penalty in accordance with Section 28 (Point Penalty Schedule). Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, the STA Management Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, to impose additional penalties on the Club, team and/or player. Such determination shall be final and binding on the Club, team and/or player and not subject to appeal.

26.   PHYSICAL ABUSE

26.1. No player shall commit physical abuse against any official, opponent, spectator or another person within the premises (including the surrounding areas) where matches are held.

26.2. Physical abuse shall include the unauthorised touching of an official, opponent, spectator or another person. The determination on whether anything done constitutes physical abuse shall be in the sole discretion of the chair umpire or Tournament Official, final and binding on the Club, team and/or player, and not subject to appeal.

26.3. Non-compliance by any player with Section 26.1 during play (including warm-up) shall subject the player to a penalty in accordance with Section 28 (Point Penalty Schedule). Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, the STA Management Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, to impose additional penalties on the Club, team and/or player. Such determination shall be final and binding on the Club, team and/or player and not subject to appeal.

27.   UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

27.1. No player shall commit any unsportsmanlike conduct within the premises (including the surrounding areas) where matches are held.

27.2. Unsportsmanlike conduct shall include any misconduct by a player that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport, or giving, making, issuing, authorising or endorsing any public statement having, or designed to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of the Competition and/or the officials officiating any match. The determination on whether anything done constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct shall be in the sole discretion of the chair umpire or Tournament Official, final and binding on the Club, team and/or player, and not subject to appeal.

28.   POINT PENALTY SCHEDULE

31.1. FIRST offence – WARNING

31.2. SECOND offence – POINT PENALTY

31.3. THIRD offence – GAME PENALTY

31.4. FOURTH offence – GAME PENALTY OR DISQUALIFICATION FROM MATCH

29.   PENALTIES FOR DISQUALIFICATION

29.1. In the event that a team fields a player who is a non-bona fide Club member, (a) the Club for which the team represents shall be immediately disqualified from the Competition for that year and banned from all inter-club tournaments held in the next fifty-two (52) weeks from the date of the disqualification, and (b) such player shall be banned from participating in all tournaments organised or sanctioned by STA (including inter-club tournaments) held in the next fifty-two (52) weeks after the date of the disqualification. 

29.2. A Club with any team that has been disqualified from the Competition for that year may be banned from participating in all inter-club competitions for such period as the STA Management Committee deems fit. 

30.   OFFICIAL TENNIS BALLS

30.1. Official tournament balls will be issued on-site by the Tournament Referee.

31.   PRIZES

31.1. Prizes will be awarded to Champion and Runner-Up teams.

32.   OVERALL CHALLENGE TROPHY

32.1. A Challenge Trophy will be awarded to the Club that performs best across all categories of the Competition.

32.2. The following points will be awarded to the participating teams:

Champions               25 points
Runners-Up              19 points
Semi-Finalists           14 points
Quarter-Finalists       10 points

32.3. In the event of a tie, a count-back of teams with the highest number of “Champions”, then “Runners-Up” and so on, will be utilised.

33.   PAYMENT OF ENTRY FEE

33.1. The entry fee must be paid prior to submitting the official entry forms, failing which the entry forms shall be rejected.

33.2. Payment shall be by internet banking or PayNow to STA’s designated bank account.

34.   OUTSTANDING PAYMENT OF ANNUAL AFFILIATION FEE

34.1. All Clubs must ensure that the annual affiliation fees are paid promptly each year.

34.2. Any Club which has not paid its annual affiliation fee shall not be permitted to participate in any inter-club competition organised by the STA.

35.   BREACH

35.1. Any breach of the Rules for which the penalty(ies) has not been specifically provided will be determined by the STA Management Committee in its sole discretion, such determination shall be final and binding on the Club/team and is not subject to appeal.

36.   DISCLAIMER

36.1. While reasonable precautions will be taken by the STA, its agent(s) and/or the host Clubs to ensure the safety of all players, all players understand that they are participating in the Competition at their own risk. By participating in the Competition, each player confirms and agrees that the STA and/or its agent(s) and/or the host Clubs shall not be held liable for any personal injury or death arising from such player’s participation, or for any loss of or damage to such player’s property arising from such player’s participation in the Competition, except for personal injury or death caused directly by or due to the gross negligence of the STA, its agent(s) and/or any host Clubs.