Ladder Season 2016

The Vermont Tennis Ladder officially begins this Saturday, May 28, 2016. A big congrats to last year's A and B champions, Andy Samara and Dylan Aiken. Congrats are also due to our runner's up Martin Wilde and Andrew Murphy for their impressive playoff runs. While at times it might not have seemed like it to some, over 67 matches were played last season by about 30 active players making it the Ladder's second most active season to date. Additionally, for the first time ever, the Ladder was able to schedule a playoff final's event hosted by the Burlington Tennis Club featuring the A and B championship matches with a small, spirited crowd and snacks. As with the 2014 A championship, due to a photography error, there are no pictures of our champions for the eventual Ladder Hall of Fame. Kinks should be worked out this year (i.e. I now have a camera).

As in prior seasons, due to injuries, summer vacation trips and inactivity, many players are not in the ladder position that necessarily correlates with ability. As a result, there may be a few lop-sided matches early on before rankings adjust. The format is such that if you play matches, within the first month or so you will be surrounded by active players at or very near your level. If you do want to play a lot, in order to ensure scheduling, I recommend a group e-mail to all four individuals in front of you with your availability for the next few weeks. This way, you will stay up even if you can't schedule, and the players that were inactive in front of you will move down, putting you in a new position with other more active players.

Do not forget about the One Free Challenge Match.

If you have any questions, would like to join, and/or need to report a match score, e-mail me at vttennisladder@gmail.com.

Have fun, play hard.

Format: 2016

1. Anyone new to the ladder or didn't make the A or B playoffs last season has "One Free Challenge Match" (OCFM) This means you can challenge up as high as you want in the ladder in your first match. If you win, you take that person's spot and they move down one spot. If you lose you remain at your prior spot. 

2. If you challenge a player and they do not get back to you within four (4) days, cancel within twelve (12) hours of the scheduled match time, or reschedule more than two (2) times (for any reason) you will take their spot as if you have won the match. The result will be recorded as a default win. 

3. Matches can be played at any time or place. Bring a can of balls.

4. Matches must be best 2/3 sets with full third or 2/3 sets with a 10 pt match breaker. It is better to decide about a full third or match breaker before the match begins, but not a rule.

5. Each player must play a minimum of one (1) match every two week session. If you don't play a match at the end of that two week period you will be moved down four (4) spots unless it's a planned absence (travel, injury, etc...) or you have made an effort to challenge three (3) different players and were unsuccessful in the two week period. If you don't play over a four (4) week period you will be moved to the bottom of the ladder.

6. Match scores need to be reported to vttennisladder@gmail.com before you play your next match so the ladder can be adjusted accordingly.

7. Everyone can challenge up to four (4) places in front of themselves. If the #1 player isn't challenged over the course of a two week period and doesn't play they do not move out of #1.

8. If you win a match you will move into your opponents spot, or maintain your position.  If you lose a match you will move down to your opponents position.

9. The ladder ends Sunday, August 2nd. Playoffs will be split into A and B brackets. The top 8 players make the A playoff. Players number 9-16 are in the B playoff. This way we will have an A and B champ, and maximize the number of matches played. The championship matches will attempt to find a common time and place to play the final matches the week after the semi-final round so that fans can attend if interested.

10. You are welcome to play anyone on the ladder anytime, matches won't count that are outside these rules.