This page proudly sponsored by:

and





Visionary Tennis Rules & Guidelines

Table of Contents

GENERAL

REGULAR-SEASON PLAY

POST-SEASON PLAY


GENERAL

Overview

The team at Visionary Tennis represents a broad cross section of the tennis community. Certified tennis professionals, tennis coaches, past tennis champions, current players, and new participants to the sport all contribute to who and what we are.

We have also polled the community, scouring input from people just like YOU, and with many painstaking hours of meticulous work have created the finest tennis community and system available.

Upon registering for a league season, you will have access to prize-winning weekly tennis trivia games, frequent social tennis events, and, ultimately, the most EXCITING flexible tennis leagues in America!

Each season you will compete in an EXCITING league format designed to keep everyone in the running to the end. At the end of each league season, top players will be invited to compete in a tremendous single-elimination shootout called the Tournament of Champions. Every match will have PlayerPoint rewards riding on the outcome, and every Tournament of Champions will culminate in the awarding of the legendary "Really Big Trophies" or the coveted "Really Big Silver Plates". Pictures will be taken for our Hall of Champions and newsletter (and local tennis celebrities will be born!).

That, in a nutshell, is the Visionary Tennis experience.

Welcome to a new Vision for your Sport ... Welcome to Visionary Tennis!

Back to contents


Where it all begins — building your player profile

Your first experience with us will show you — even before the first serve — how much we care about you and your game. To begin with: why should the pros be the only ones to get personal profiles? At Visionary Tennis, you are ALL professionals to us — so come build your very own profile!

Be as detailed as you'd like. We want to know your height, weight, playing style, what kind of racquet you play with, your past tennis accomplishments — and so will your fellow league members! You are a Visionary Tennis player now; it's time to build your stats for the media reports! You can even upload your favorite photo of yourself (photos can really help players who haven't played each other before to know who's who).

When determining your home facility, please supply us with a full address whenever possible, so that we may make directions available to every member you play (no one ever wants to delay a match because he turned right instead of left). We'll even make it easy to print the directions out for easy reference when driving. So just remember to be as specific as you can!

One of the many things that makes playing Visionary Tennis Leagues enjoyable is the ability to schedule your matches quickly. To make that happen, we ask that you fill in as much contact information as you can in your profile. The more contact options you provide for your league members, the easier it will be to successfully schedule your matches. Your profile contact information will only be available to the other seven players in your league.

We also ask that prior to the beginning of your league season, doubles teams fill in your personal calendar availability using the MatchMaker tool found in your Playzone area. We don't require that you use the MatchMaker, but in any dispute over who was available the most to play, the MatchMaker will be the only evidence considered.

Back to contents


The Yearly Schedules

There will be three 7-match regular seasons — Winter/Spring, Summer and Fall.

Each season will be followed by a Tournament Of Champions where the top finishers from each 8-person/8-team league will be playing for over 8000 PlayerPoints, plus the legendary "Really Big Trophies".

Back to contents



REGULAR SEASON PLAY

League format

Visionary Tennis keeps it simple and exciting.

The word "league" means a grouping of eight registered players or teams of similar ability level and geographic proximity. The fundamentals of your league will always be the same. There will always be eight players or teams in your league — count on it. Each league will always consist of two flights of four players or teams — count on it. And finally, at the end of each regular league season, the top finishers will qualify for the fun-filled tournaments — count on that as well!

League schedules will be posted online in your PlayZone area by the beginning of match play.

When the league schedules are constructed, you will be placed in a grouping of eight competitors (players or teams, depending on whether it's a Singles or Doubles league) known as a Super-8 league. Each Super-8 league is then divided into two flights, each consisting of four competitors.

A season consists of 7 matches.

You will play the other three competitors in your own flight twice — once at home, once away.

Here is some visionary advice: Use your home-court matches to your advantage. Play with the balls you want, with the fans you want, on the surface you want. Tip everything in your favor. Our goal in choosing this format was to encourage a split decision with two equally matched players. If your opponent beats you by the slimmest of margins, you will have the opportunity to return the favor in only a few short weeks.

After all members of your Super-8 league have completed their first six matches, you will be scheduled for your seventh regular-season match against a competitor from your opposite flight. This opponent will be determined based on your mutual performance in your respective flights; flight champions will play each other; runners-up shall do the same, followed by the 3rd- and 4th-place finishers. This match's results will be added to your win/loss record.  After all seven matches, within your total Super-8 league, have been reported, final rankings will occur automatically and the top three eligible players will qualify for the Tournament Of Champions.

In most situations, this format allows every single competitor in a flight the chance to qualify for the Tournament of Champions right down to the wire. Every match will count in your quest!

Back to contents


Match scheduling

Each regular season match has a preset deadline by which you must play and then report your match score online. To make sure you have an enjoyable season, common sense dictates that it's best to schedule matches well ahead of the deadlines. DO NOT wait until a deadline is looming before attempting to schedule your matches!

Under our FreePlay system, you may play your matches in any order you wish as long as you play and report them by their assigned deadline. You may choose to play them all early in the season to avoid conflicts later in the season; you may also change your home match locations to your opponent's facility or even choose to play someplace entirely different. It is totally your call. The only stipulation is that each match be played and reported prior to its scoring deadline. NO EXTENSIONS WILL BE GRANTED.

Any match not played or reported by its designated deadline will be declared a Double Default, with one exception —the Late Pass.

Back to contents


The Late Pass

The Late Pass is your key to even more flexibility in your schedule.

The Late Pass is designed to help avoid double defaults, where you and your opponent(s) both want to play, but things just get in the way.

With the flexibility of the FreePlay system to play whenever you want, it is hard to imagine anyone needing it, but in the unlikely event that you need to play or report a match late, y ou will have one Late Pass. The Late Pass will allow you to play and/or report one late score during your regular season. Use it for a weather-related delay; an unexpected trip for work; or even if you just plain forgot to report a score on time. Whatever the reason — use the Late Pass when you need it. However, it must be used with the cooperation of your opponent(s). You must be willing to use your Late Pass and your opponent(s) must be willing to let you use it to play a match late. If your opponent(s), for any reason, decides against allowing you to use your Late Pass, then your opponent(s) must take a default win. Your opponent will not be permitted to play a substitute. He or she will not receive PlayerPoints for the default win and the win will not count as a match physically played toward the number needed to be eligible to qualify for the Tournament of Champions.

When you use your Late Pass, merely report your late score via email through PlayerServices@VisionaryTennis.com When you use your one Late Pass, we record it in the Player's database.

NOTE: Your Late Pass can NOT be used for matches six or seven.

Please make your matches a personal priority, and watch your deadlines carefully. The same courtesy you provide your fellow players shall be afforded you as well. Our adjustable FreePlay system was designed to give you maximum freedom to play — when you want, where you want, and how you want. But it's up to you to play!

Back to contents


Arranging your match

Scheduling and avoiding defaults

The responsibility of contacting opponents & scheduling the match shall fall equally on both competitors, whether singles players or doubles teams. Each competitor shall provide his or her opponents with at least 2 timeslots of availability to play within the scheduled week. This availability should be posted no later than the Saturday prior to the scheduled week of play. If no mutual availability is achieved, you should attempt to contact your opponent by email and by phone; if contact is not made prior to Tuesday of play week, the player may arrange to play a sub, or else post a default win.

Note that this does not mean that players should rush to using subs or posting defaults whenever they fail to schedule a time for their match, but rather only when an opponent cannot be contacted; players should continue to attempt to schedule a time to play, possibly using their Late Pass.  If the match remains unplayed and unreported by the deadline for match 6, than a default win will be assigned to the competitor with the greater availability during the original scheduled week of play.

If, because the opponent(s) could not be contacted, a sub is played, the original opponent has no recourse.

If a default win is posted and later either competitor wishes to play the match, the default winner should select two times of availability within the remaining week of play. The default loser MUST then agree to play at one of those two times. The default winner is awarded the "home" court status and scores shall then be emailed to player services to replace the posted default.

general responsibilities

The home player or team shall be responsible to book the courts, and provide the balls for the match.

If there is a break in play, the home player or team shall provide a new can for the resumption of play. A break in play shall be any delay longer than 3 hours. If the match requires it, the home player or team must provide courts with lights.

Any fees associated with the match shall be the responsibility of the home player or team. Remember to be a good host.

The home player or team shall also be required to secure the court for the needed time period, at the agreed-upon scheduled time. If the court is unavailable then, the host shall be subject to the LATE PLAYER PENALTIES prescribed in VT and USTA rules. If the match runs long, it will be the home player's responsibility to find the extra court time. If unable to provide court time to complete the match, the home player shall be considered retired. If time is running out — and if both players or teams agree — you may play a SUPER TIEBREAK (first to 10 points, win by 2) in lieu of a third set; score the tiebreak 1-0.

Needless to say, please plan accordingly!

Back to contents


Distance to matches

When scheduling your matches, it is expected that each player be willing to travel to their scheduled away matches.

If, however, you have a scheduled match that is over 20 miles away (according to maps.google.com), the “away” player may request to meet within 20 miles of his or her location. The “home” player may then select the courts of their choice as long as the new court location is within 20 miles of the “away” player. The home player is still responsible for locating and securing the court. The distance to the match for the “away” player may not exceed 20 miles (according to maps.google.com). Home court hosts responsibilities remain unchanged.

Back to contents



Defaults

Nobody likes a default, but if two competitors (singles players or doubles teams) cannot mutually agree on a date and time to play, then the default win shall be attributed to whichever competitor was more available (as determined by MatchMaker availability as indicated in the calendar) for the originally scheduled week of play. Note that for a doubles team, both players need to have indicated availability for a given timeslot in order for that to be counted — so if one player is available all day Saturday but the partner is only available in the morning, this means that doubles team was only available in the morning.

Remember that the MatchMaker will not allow you to change availability after a date has passed. To learn how to use the MatchMaker, click here.

Note:
There is motivation to make each match happen. If you accept a default from your opponent(s), you receive no PlayerPoints for that match. You also receive no credit for a physical match played, and may seriously jeopardize your eligibility for the Tournament of Champions (you must have played the required number of physical matches to qualify). Everyone must make and effort, and you must be willing to play — play early!

Back to contents


Late-player penalties

5 mins or less: loss of toss plus 1 game
5:01 — 10:00 minutes: toss plus 2 games
10:01-15:00 toss plus 3 games
More than 15 minutes: default.

We will use U.S.T.A. rules for national standards.

Back to contents


No-shows

A NO SHOW occurs when you have a match already scheduled and your opponent(s) does not show up or notifies you within 24 hours of the match, that they will not be able to make it. When you report this score online, make sure you use the "Game Remarks" area to mark the match as a NO SHOW. This differs from showing it as a DEFAULT. A NO SHOW match will count as a physical match played towards your Tournament eligibility. A Default does not count as a physical match played.

NOTE: If you have received the short notice from your opponent, but still have time to find and play a Sub, you may do so in order to get the PlayerPoints for that match.

Back to contents


Using subs

A great alternative to taking or giving a default is to use a substitute player. Playing against a sub gives you PlayerPoints for the match, plus a physical match played for TOC eligibility, plus a possible win on your record.

When you know ahead of time that your opponent(s) is not going to be available to play by your match deadline, you have three options:

  • 1) Take a default. If you accept a default from your opponent(s), you receive no PlayerPoints for that match. You also receive no credit for a physical match played, and may seriously jeopardize your eligibility for the Tournament of Champions (you must have physically played 5 matches to be eligible).
  • 2) Allow your opponent(s) to use their Late Pass so you can schedule and play the match past the deadline.
  • 3) Play against a sub(s) of your choosing.

Just use the "Subs List " button located in the PlayZone.

You may also use any player in any Visionary Tennis League at your playing level or above, or ANY USTA player/friend who has a verified USTA or ALTA rating at your level or above.

League players may be located by using the drop-down function at the bottom of your "MY LEAGUE" page.

It is always better for you to play a sub, if possible, rather than take a default.

DOUBLES ONLY:

Using a sub for a member(s) of your team is permitted.

When using a sub, the entire team is considered a sub and NO PlayerPoints are awarded to either member.
Also the match does not count towards Tournament of Champions eligibility. (Remember, your team must play 4 of your 5 matches to be eligible.)

NOTE: When you play against a sub or sub team, it will have no effect on the ACE Index.

Back to contents


League Rankings

Again, Visionary Tennis makes it simple! If you look into the Sunday sports section of any newspaper, you'll see that most of the sports are ranked on a win/loss record. Visionary Tennis is no different — wins and losses are king. In the event of a tie, however, our system will rank players according the following criteria:

  • 1) The most wins
  • 2) The fewest losses
  • 3) A head-to-head victory*
  • 4) The highest ACE Index
  • 5) The fewest sets lost
  • 6) The fewest games lost

* Head-to-head will be applied after the last regular season match only — as a means to rank the Super 8 — and then will be considered if only two players or teams share the same win-loss record; if three or more players or teams are tied, head-to-head will not apply, and the decision process will continue using the remaining ranking criteria.

These ranking criteria will be used for the flight of 4 and the league of 8. As you can see for yourself, this system is not only easy to follow and track, but is an ideal way to keep the leagues competitive and exciting right to the very end. Remember, the top three eligible contenders in each Super-8 will advance to the Tournament of Champions!

Back to contents


Reporting scores

Win or lose, you have PlayerPoints coming to you for every match you play. Though it's good form for the match winner to report the outcome, either player may in fact do so (it's best to agree on this at the end of the match). After logging in, click on "Report Scores" in the left-hand menu, then choose the match from the list (alternatively, you may click on the appropriate square on the "My League" page where your row intersects with the right week; that takes you to the same place).

Be careful to enter your score opposite your name in our Vertical Scoring Format (where scores follow the Visiting-Player-at-Home-Player convention) — if you get it wrong and enter a score that doesn't make sense with the rest of the match information, the system will alert you to make a change.

The opponent will have 7 days following to dispute the scores if they are incorrect; after that, they stand.

Back to contents


POST-SEASON PLAY

Tournament of Champions

The Tournament of Champions (TOC) will be a celebration of the best players and teams the region has to offer. Only the top four players or teams from each Super-8 league shall be invited to participate. Each season, you will know your qualification status immediately as the computer will post the final standings instantly upon the completion of the last regular season match within your Super-8 league.

To be eligible and qualify for the Tournament of Champions:

You must physically play 5 of your 7 regular season matches and finish in the top of your regular season league.

Very important: Accepting defaults do NOT count as matches played toward eligibility for tournament qualification.

Tournament Format:

Each tournament will use the same format.

After all TOC qualifiers have been determined, an NCAA-basketball style bracket will be drawn and posted on the website, the size of the draw being determined by the amount of qualifiers: 32, 64, 128, 256 ... whatever it takes to award a berth for the top three from each Super-8 league in the region. The advancement and play deadlines for each round will be posted with the TOC draw.

For the Tournament of Champions, all regular-season #1 players will be seeded higher than #2 players etc. Within each group, players will be seeded from top to bottom according to the following ranking criteria:

  • MOST WINS
  • FEWEST LOSSES
  • ACE INDEX

All tournament rounds, up to the semifinals, will be played throughout your region on your schedule, with the player or team with the higher seed (lower number) determining match location. All regular-season rules apply.

Back to contents


Championship Day: Semifinals, Finals and Fun!

This will be the most fun you have ever had playing tennis!

The Final Four is a big deal at whatever level you play and we certainly intend to reflect that on Championship day.

At the semifinal level and beyond, all matches will be held on a pre-determined weekend Saturday at a premier location in your region. This is where the true champions emerge. You will not have to extend your personal schedule over several days; we will conduct the semifinals and finals, plus have some fun for you and your friends, entirely on this day. Plan for it!

The exciting format will include fun-filled contests, corporate sponsor village, raffles and door prizes throughout the day! ALL league members and their friends are invited.

PLUS:

  • Tournament Check-in: Pickup your welcome gifts and free door prize tickets;
  • Tournament Breakfast: Provided for all semifinalists;
  • Semifinal matches in the morning: Each Champion earns an automatic promotion for next season and 1600 PlayerPoints to the semifinal winners;
  • Tournament Lunch: Provided for all finalists;
  • Tournament Finals in the afternoon: 5000 PlayerPoints to the winner and a "Really Big Trophy" for both finalists;
  • Stand on the winner's podium for pictures, bag tags and awards presentation.


Tournament of Champions Finalists receive bag tags and the legendary "Really Big Trophies", plus the Champion(s) receive(s) 5000 PlayerPoints.

The Tournament Champion at each level will be promoted to the next higher playing level for subsequent seasons. This constant promotional flow rewards our current champions, and clears the way for the upcoming ones as well. Will you be next?

NOTE: Any top four Tournament finisher whose last win was by default will be given the option of accepting their promotion to the next level.

Back to contents


Match rules and the Code of Play — the cadence of the match

All match rules, including rest periods and breaks, shall be governed by the official rules of tennis. You may view these rules here.

Even though the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis are contained within the ITF Rules of Tennis, we have re-printed the following paragraph for everyone's benefit.

Wheelchair/Able-bodied Tennis

Where a wheelchair tennis player is playing with or against an able-bodied person in singles and doubles, the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis shall apply for the wheelchair player while the Rules of Tennis for able-bodied tennis shall apply for the able-bodied player. In this instance, the wheelchair player is allowed two bounces while the able-bodied player is allowed only one bounce.

In addition, The U.S.T.A.’s guide for unofficiated matches (also known as “The Code”) shall be followed.

Back to contents


Inclement weather policy

If a cancellation is unavoidable due to inclement weather, it is the host's responsibility to make that call. Please contact your opponent(s) verbally no later than one hour prior to the match start time. If the no-go call has not been made by this point, it is assumed that the match should be played, and all players shall show as planned.

If the match is interrupted by inclement weather, players should remain for 30 minutes to determine if the courts will again be playable. If not playable after 30 minutes, the match shall be rescheduled.

All sets, games and points shall stand as played and the match will resume at that point. The re-scheduling period will still fall within the original deadline posted for that match. Uncompleted matches will be treated as if they were never scheduled. If either chooses not to continue the match at a later time, however, their opponent may enter the score as it was when the match was postponed and enter a retirement. (Example: Jim vs Mike. Jim is ahead 6-4, 4-0 when the rain forces a delay. Mike chooses not to complete the match. Jim enters the win, 6-4, 4-0 loser retired.)

Playoffs Policy

If rain forces a delay on the deadline date of a playoff match, the match shall be re-scheduled on the next day at 7pm until the match is played.

Back to contents


Rookies and Rating Yourself or Your Team

A rookie is a first year player or team who does NOT have a verifiable USTA or ALTA rating.

Singles or Double players with a verifiable USTA rating shall play at that level and will not be considered rookies.

If a player does not have a USTA rating, but does have a verifiable ALTA rating that is less than 1 year old, they shall play at that level and not be considered rookies. Seniors ratings and mixed ratings will not be used.

Rookies shall self rate themselves using the USTA's National Tennis Rating Program Playing Level Guidelines. Rookies shall be subject to an ACE Index promotion after the conclusion of their first regular league season and prior to the first round of that first season's Tournament of Champions if space is available. Promotion for the Tournament of Champions and subsequent regular seasons will occur for any Rookie who qualifies for the Tournament of Champions (if space is available) with an ACE Index over 95.00.

Doubles teams shall rate themselves using a combination of both player's ratings and a doubles team with one or more team members who do not have a verifiable rating will be considered a rookie team and subject to the Rookie guidelines.

Non-Rookies will not be promoted during the regular season or for the Tournament of Champions.

ALTA to USTA Guidelines for rating you or your team:

AA = 5.0

A1-A3 = 4.5

A4-A8 = 4.0

B1-B6 = 3.5

B7-C4= 3.0

C5-C8 = 2.5

For Rookies self rating, below is the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) guidelines. The U.S. Tennis Association developed the NTRP rating system and it is the most accurate rating system available. Player levels are based on a scale from 1.0 to 7.0, but our leagues are based on levels from 2.5 — 5.0.

1.0

This player is just starting to play tennis.

1.5

Has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.

2.0

Needs on-court experience. Has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.

2.5

Learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. Can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.

3.0

Fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth or power. Most common doubles formation is one-up and one-back.

3.5

Has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. Starting to exhibit more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage and is developing teamwork in doubles.

4.0

Has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. Occasionally forces errors when serving and teamwork in doubles is evident. Rallies may be lost due to impatience.

4.5

Starting to master the use of power and spins and beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. Can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. Tends to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

5.0

Has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or exceptional consistency around which a game may be structured. Can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes and has good depth and spin on most second serves.

5.5

Has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon. Can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation.

6.0

Generally do not need NTRP ratings. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. The 6.0 player has obtained a sectional and /or national ranking.

6.5

The 6.5 player has extensive satellite tournament experience.

7.0

The 7.0 player makes his living from tournament prize money.

Back to contents


"Bad apples"

We hate to have to put this section in writing, but unfortunately there are the occasional bad apples who cause a less than desirable experience for the masses.

Therefore, when we receive complaints about individual players or doubles teams, the following procedures are in effect:

  • When the first complaint is received on an individual or a doubles team, they will receive an email from Visionary Tennis, alerting them that they have been reported;
  • When the second complaint is received, the individual or doubles team will receive a verbal warning from the league office;
  • When a third complaint is received, the individual or doubles team will be suspended from further league and tournament play.

The following situations are considered "Bad Apple" reportable offenses and will include both players and fans or spouses.

  • Unsportsmanlike Conduct (this includes blatant and repeated bad line calls);
  • Abusive language;
  • Offensive language;
  • Physical abuse or threats to another player or fan.

Back to contents


Conflict resolution

Visionary Tennis has in its employ a "Personal Digital Assistant" that will immediately locate a Visionary Tennis specialist to assist you. If you are on the court and need to reach one of us, please call us toll-free at 866-200-1812. If we cannot answer the phone right away, we guarantee you that a real live person will call you back within 120 minutes, any day of the week, from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm EDT, 365 days a year. We pride ourselves on giving you world-class player services.

If your call is placed outside of those hours, you can expect to be contacted by a trained VT specialist the very next day.

Back to contents


The Visionary Tennis philosophy — PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!

As hard as we'll try (and we will try hard), you'll probably have a few questions that we didn't anticipate; furthermore, the sheer variety of players and circumstances will no doubt give rise to the occasional conflict. When such circumstances arise, you may choose to submit your challenge at PlayerServices@visionarytennis.com. IMPORTANT NOTE: When a conflict/challenge is received, both involved players will be copied on any and all responses, and all responses will include the original conflict/challenge text. USTA rules will govern all rules-related questions. We can assure you that, when making judgment calls, our guiding principle will always be in favor of playing. When in doubt, we will rule that the point, set, or match (if needed) should be played.

We encourage you to adopt a similar attitude should you encounter any disputes on the court. Try to resolve all conflicts fairly, and always with the spirit of playing it out. Do not hope for a default win, and do not expect us to offer that as a solution. We will always exhaust all possibilities for the players to decide matters through actual competition, rather than win or lose on a technicality. Let's win it with our skill and determination, not because of a dispute.

Play fair; play strong. Half of all the tennis matches everywhere will have players who lose, and no one — not even world champions — avoids being in that half for very long. As long as you always play your best and with the best sportsmanship, you may lose — but you will never be defeated.

Be a great player. Be a Visionary Tennis player.

Back to contents


Click here to join now!