DETAILS OF THE 2009 RAF  TENNIS OPEN SINGLES COMPETITION

Introduction

This year the RAF Open Singles competition will be run along the lines of an LTA National Ratings event. Amongst the advantages of this innovation is that those players can expect to meet an opponent of broadly similar standard in the early stages. Players will also have the opportunity to complete a tournament at their own level.

Entry

As in previous years each competitor will need to complete an entry form and because of the composition of this event it is essential that entry forms are received by the required date. The Draw will be conducted on the Closing Date and late entries will be accepted only on a fill-up basis; they will be placed on a reserve list to replace withdrawals. Additionally, players who have held or currently hold an LTA Rating are asked to declare it on the Entry Form; this will assist the Tournament Committee in correctly placing them in the appropriate group.

Tableaux

Players will be divided into separate Groups, known as Tableaux, based preferably on their LTA Rating, or failing this, on the recommendations of RAFLTA Director of Tennis and Captains. In broad terms this will mean players of station standard being placed in the first Tableau, Inter-Service B and Development squad players in the Second Tableau and RAF players in the Final Tableau. When byes are given in the first round they will normally be given to higher rated players.

The First Tableau is played in knock-out format, initially to Semi-Final stage; by reaching this point the 4 semi-finalists qualify to progress to the 2nd Tableau where they will join the 8 players selected to join the competition at this stage. If there is a final Tableau, then the 2nd Tableau will also be played to the Semi-Final stage with the 4 semi-finalists qualifying to join the 8 selected players in the final Tableau.

Tableau Finals and Plate Competition

As in previous years players loosing their first match will be eligible to enter the Plate competition. However, entry will now be limited to players in the First Tableau (Station level).

Players should be aware that they may be required to play a maximum of 3 matches in a day of which no more than 2 will be singles.