RULES & REGULATIONS

Winning player/team: 

1. Straight set wins, gets 14 points
2. Win in 3 sets, gets 12 points
3. Losing player/team: Gets as many points as game wins, but capped at a maximum of 8 points.
   1. Example: 
      1. Loss of 6/1 6/3 gets 4 points;
      2. Loss of 6/2 6/3 gets 5 points;
      3. Loss of 7/5 7/5 gets 8 points;
      4. Loss of 6/2 2/6 6/2 gets 8 points

A walkover counts as a win but earns no match points

The player or team giving the walkover loses 5% of their match points for each walkover

The first two sets are regular sets.

For the third set, when indoor, teams can choose to play either a full set or a 10-point tiebreaker. (Please check indoor timed match rules in the Section 3.)

3rd set scores will be recorded as 1-0 (Winner 1: Losing team 0)

If outdoor, default is full 3rd set.

Matches must be completed within the allotted court time (if played indoors) or before daylight ends (if played outdoors).

Toss: The toss winner will select either service or court.

Players must choose their side (Deuce or Ad) they are playing on every set and stick to that side until the set is complete.

Home or Away teams will be auto assigned.

The home team will provide the balls. 

PTL does not endorse any specific balls.

If the opposing team/players do not agree on the balls, PTL recommends using the default balls, ProPenn.

Indoor matches must adhere strictly to reserved court time slots.

All matches must be scheduled for a minimum of 90 minutes but 2 hours court time is recommended.

During Semifinals and Finals, Courts can be booked for 2 ½ hours.

Warm-Up Limits 15 minutes (for 2-hour matches) 10 minutes (for 90-minute matches)

If a player/team is not ready by the end of warm-up: Opponent is awarded 1 game for every 5 minutes of delay

If the player is not ready after 30 minutes, the match is declared a walkover

A maximum 30-second break is permitted during side changes (after odd-numbered games).

If a side change does not occur, players may still take a 30-second break at that time.

A 90-second break is permitted between sets.

Extended or repeated breaks beyond these limits are not allowed.

If a player/team takes excessive breaks and the opponent objects, a 1-point penalty may be applied.

The timed match procedure begins 20 minutes before the scheduled end time.

Second Set Completion (20-Minute Rule): When the 20-minute mark is reached:

1. If a 2nd set is in progress, No-Ad scoring applies to the current and all remaining games in that set.
2. If a player/team leads by 2 or more games → wins the set.
3. If the lead is 1 game → play one deciding no-ad game.
4. If the score is tied → play a 7-point tiebreaker.

Third Set Rules

1. The 20-minute rule does NOT apply if the 3rd set already started.
2. If the 3rd set starts with ≥ 30 minutes remaining, play a full set (default). A 10-point tiebreaker may be played only by mutual agreement.
3. If the 3rd set starts with < 30 minutes remaining, a 10-point tiebreaker is the default. A full set may be played only by mutual agreement.

End-of-Match Procedure (Final Minutes)

1. If a full 3rd set is in progress:
   1. No new game should be started in the final 2 minutes.
   2. Players must complete the current game.
   3. Player/team leading in games wins.
   4. If tied → play one no-ad deciding game
2. If a 10-point tiebreaker is in progress:
   1. No new point should be started in the final 1 minute.
   2. Players must complete the current point.
   3. Player/team leading in points wins.
   4. If tied → play one deciding point (sudden death)

Extended or repeated breaks beyond mentioned limits are not allowed. 

If a player/team takes excessive breaks and the opponent objects, a 1-point penalty may be applied.

Both teams/players are responsible for scheduling their matches.

Matches must be scheduled and confirmed at least a week before the league’s end date.

Both players share equal responsibility to initiate contact and finalize match dates within the designated round window.

If a team/player fails to respond to a scheduling request made at least three weeks before the end date, they will be issued a walkover loss unless they can demonstrate a valid reason (e.g., documented emergency).

If no proof of timely scheduling is provided and a walkover occurs in the last 2 weeks, the team requesting the walkover will not be considered for progression into any skill-based group (Warriors, Challengers, or Voyagers) or Playoffs.

Teams that repeatedly fail to respond to scheduling requests may face disqualification.

One match Walkover:

1. Scheduling conditions apply.
2. Official warning. •
   1. Opponent is awarded the win. 

More than one match Walkover: 

1. Team is disqualified and not placed in any group (Warriors, Challengers, or Voyagers).

While all above conditions apply, Teams/Players must complete 70%-80%(only 1 unfinished match) of their scheduled matches to be eligible for Playoffs.

Teams failing to meet this requirement will be disqualified.

Group Stage (Round-Robin Phase)

1. If a player/team is unable to continue a match due to injury or any other valid reason:
   • The match may be rescheduled and resumed from the exact score at the time of stoppage, only if both players/teams agree.
   • If both sides do not agree to reschedule, the match will be treated as a retirement, and the opponent will be declared the winner.
2. Resumption Rules:
   • The match must resume from the same score, server, and sides as when it was stopped.
   • The rescheduled match must be completed within the league timeline and approved by the tournament organizer.
3. Playoffs (Knockout Stage)
   • If a player/team is unable to continue a match for any reason, the match will be treated as a retirement, and the opponent will be declared the winner.
   • No rescheduling is permitted during the playoff stage.

All completed sets and games up to the point of stoppage will count.

The remaining games/sets will be awarded to the opponent as needed to complete the match scoreline.

A player/team may take a reasonable injury timeout (up to 5 minutes) to assess the situation.

If unable to resume after this period, the match will follow the rules above.

Injury claims must be made in good faith.

Repeated or suspicious retirements may be reviewed by the PTL Organizing Committee, and appropriate action may be taken.

Umpiring will be optional during the initial round.

Umpires will be provided upon request.

Mandatory umpiring will begin from the knockout rounds, with 2 umpires for each match.

Each player must umpire twice during the tournament. Failure to honor umpiring assignments will result in penalties for the team or player.

1. Players are responsible for making their own calls.

•  Each player is responsible for making line calls on their own side of the court.
• Calls should be made immediately and clearly: “OUT,” “FAULT,” “LET,” etc.
• If there is doubt about whether the ball was in or out, the ball should be considered IN. Players should not make line calls on the opponent's side.

2. Clear and immediate calls

• A line call must be made immediately after the ball lands.
• A delayed call should not be made after the point has continued or ended.
• If a player is uncertain, they should continue the point rather than make a questionable call.

3. Disputed line calls

• If players disagree about a line call, the call made by the player on that side of the court stands.
• Players should not replay a point simply because the opponent disagrees with the call.
• Repeated or obvious questionable calls may be reported to the PTL administrator for review.

4. Double bounce

• The player who is closest to the ball should make the call.
• If a player clearly sees that the opponent's shot bounced twice before being returned, they may call a double bounce.
• If there is genuine uncertainty, the point should continue.

5. Net / let calls

• A player may call a let when they clearly observe a legitimate let situation.
• Players should not call lets based solely on suspicion or uncertainty.
• If a ball touches the net and lands legally during a rally, play continues.

6. Scoring responsibility

• The server should announce the score before each point, clearly enough for the opponent to hear.
• Both players should confirm the score periodically.
• If a scoring disagreement occurs, players should use the last mutually agreed score and continue from there.
• If the score cannot be resolved, stop play and contact the PTL administrator before continuing.

7. No arguing during the match

• Players must remain respectful.
• Arguing, shouting, insulting, intimidating, or repeatedly challenging calls is not permitted.
• A player who believes there is a serious issue should stop play and contact PTL rather than escalate the dispute.

8. Opponent's call should not be challenged repeatedly

• A player may respectfully question a call once, but repeated challenges are not allowed.
• The purpose of self-officiating is to keep the match moving and maintain sportsmanship.

PTL may review:

Repeated questionable line calls

Repeated scoring disputes

Unsportsmanlike conduct

Deliberate incorrect calls

Refusal to follow the self-officiating rules

If any of above occur, PTL may take appropriate action, including a warning, loss of points/game, match penalty, or other disciplinary action depending on the circumstances.

The PTL committee reserves the right to:

• Adjust group placements.
• Disqualify teams.
• Investigate and penalize any behavior that suggests intentional manipulation of results, scheduling, or performance to gain an unfair advantage.

Teams may appeal penalties or disqualifications within 48 hours of the decision.

Appeals will be reviewed, and the committee’s decision will be final.