THE WORLD TEAMTENNIS RULES BELOW SUPERSEDE THE RULES IN
THE FRIEND AT COURT:
Rule 5 - Scoring in a Game
In WTT the scoring is no-ad. This means a game is won by the first team to win four
points (1,2,3, game ....same as 15, 30, 40... game).
When the game score is deuce (3-3) (game point), the receiving
team chooses which side is to receive the serve. In the mixed doubles set the serve must
be gender to gender at game point.
Rule 6 - Score in a set
A match consists of five or six no-ad sets and includes one set of men's and women's
singles and doubles, and one or two sets of mixed doubles. The five set format has one
set of mixed doubles, and the six set format has two (mixed doubles is always played
last). The five set format is an option used only on the local level. The six set format is
the STANDARD WTT format used at all WTT National Qualifiers and the WTT
Nationals.
On two courts, order of sets will be: On one court, order of sets will be:
• women's and men's doubles
• women's and men's singles
• one or two sets of mixed doubles
• doubles *
• singles
• doubles
• singles
• one or two sets of mixed doubles
* Home team captain has choice of sequence of sets (men's or women's).
Each no-ad set is won by the first team to reach six games. A nine-point tiebreaker will
be played at five games all in any set.
It is imperative that you adhere to the WTT format. The only deviations possible will be
extending the sets to an eight or ten game pro set provided ALL sets are extended and the
nine-point tiebreaker, the thirteen-point Supertiebreaker and the Overtime rules are
enforced. All "local" league rules will be superseded by existing WTT rules at the
National Qualifiers and WTT Nationals.
* Home team captain has choice of sequence of sets (men's or women's).
Each no-ad set is won by the first team to reach six games. A nine-point tiebreaker will
be played at five games all in any set.
It is imperative that you adhere to the WTT format.
The only deviations possible will be extending the sets to an eight or ten game pro set
provided ALL sets are extended and the nine-point tiebreaker, the thirteen-point
Supertiebreaker and the Overtime rules are enforced. All "local" league rules will be
superseded by existing WTT rules at the
National Qualifiers and WTT Nationals.
EXPLANATION OF TIEBREAKERS:
Nine-Point Tiebreaker
A nine-point tiebreaker will be played at five games all in any set. The person who is to
serve next begins the tiebreaker. Each player serves two points in succession starting
from the deuce court. Players change sides after four points. The first team (or person) to
score five points wins the tiebreaker. If the tiebreaker reaches 4-4, the person who served
the eighth point serves the ninth (final) point. The receiver, however, has the choice of
sides (except in mixed doubles, where the service must be gender-to-gender). The winner
of the ninth point is the winner of the set. Note: The tiebreaker can be won by one point.
The tiebreaker counts as one game in overall match scoring.
Supertiebreaker
If the match enters into a Supertiebreaker, a coin toss will decide which team serves
first/receives or chooses side in the Supertiebreaker. The Supertiebreaker should be
treated as a new set and substitutions are allowed. Either player on the serving team may
serve first. The receiving team selects from which end of the court they want to receive.
In addition, court positions may be changed (i.e. the person who played fore hand
position may switch with his/her partner to play the backhand position). Each player
serves two points in succession starting from the deuce court. Players change sides after
six points. The first team to score seven points wins the Supertiebreaker. If the
Supertiebreaker reaches 6-6, the person who served the 12th point will serve the 13th
(final) point. Since this set is mixed doubles, the final serve will be gender-to-gender. The
winner of the 13th point wins the Supertiebreaker and the match. Note: The
Supertiebreaker can be won by one point. The Supertiebreaker counts as one game in
overall match scoring.
Rule 7 - Score in a Match
• Six set format (two mixed doubles sets):
Home team captain must submit starting line-up to opposing team captain before the start
of each set. Each team captain has until the end of the five minute break between sets to
submit starting line-up for the next set. The winner of the match will be determined by
the total number of games won. However, for purposes of determining whether a match
will go into Overtime, set number six will be the deciding factor. Note: Players cannot
play in both mixed doubles sets.
After both mixed doubles sets are finished and scores are recorded and totaled, the
procedure is as follows:
A. If the leading team won set number six, the match is over.
B. If the trailing team won set number six, the match continues into Overtime
until the leading team wins one game or until the score is tied. If a tie
occurs, a Supertiebreaker will be played to determine the winner.
C. If the overall score ends tied, a Supertiebreaker will be played to
determine the winner.
Overtime is a continuation of the sixth set. Team number six should be designated as the
strongest mixed doubles team. Once you have come out of the mixed doubles set, you
cannot return in Overtime. The first person to serve in Overtime is the person who was
next to serve at the end of the sixth set. This Overtime rule gives the trailing team a
chance to make a comeback. It also emphasizes the importance of the mixed doubles set.
• Five set format (one mixed doubles set):
Home team captain must submit starting line-up to opposing team captain before the start
of each set. Each team captain has until the end of the five minute break between sets to
submit starting line-up for the next set. The winner of the match will be the team that
wins the most games. After all games are totaled, if the trailing team won the mixed
doubles set, the match is not over. Mixed doubles play continues until the leading team
wins another game or the trailing team ties the score. If a tie occurs, a Supertiebreaker
will be used to determine the winner of the match.
Rule 10 - Change of Ends
After every four games players change ends. In the nine-point tiebreaker, change ends
only after the first four points.
In the Supertiebreaker, change ends only after the first six points.
Rule 14 - Order of Service
The home team serves first in all doubles sets. (In the six-set format, the away team
serves first in the fifth set and the home team serves first in the sixth set.) The away team
serves first in the singles sets. Note: Since the serving order is predetermined, the
receiving team selects from which end of the court they want to receive.
Rule 22 - The Let During a Serve
When a serve hits the net and bounces within the service court, the ball is playable. In
doubles, either player on the receiving side may return the ball after it bounces. If any
player on the court calls "let", their team loses the point. If players on both teams call
"let" then the point will be replayed.
Rule 30 - Coaching
Coaching is allowed throughout the match as long as it does not interfere with continuous
play. Coaching is not allowed between first and second serves as the second serve must
be struck without delay. Only one member of the team is permitted to go out on the court
to coach and the coaching must be completed within the twenty (20) second time limit
allotted between points. We encourage team members to stand along the court and
support their team. Coaches and non-participating players must remain in a designated
"player's bench" area until the completion of each point. WTT Staff or the Local League
Director will determine the "player's bench" area for the facility/courts. Only the two
players (singles) or four players (doubles and mixed doubles) can make the line calls.
Team members along or near the court cannot make line calls or call footfaults.
WTT SPECIFIC RULES NOT ADDRESSED IN THE FRIEND AT COURT:
1. SUBSTITUTIONS:
A team can at any point, INCLUDING THE SUPERTIEBREAKER, substitute a player
(same gender) into a set for any reason. Once a player is replaced, he/she cannot return in
that set and players cannot play in both mixed doubles. If a substitution occurs in
doubles, the remaining player cannot change the side on which he/she receives or the
service order. Substitutions are allowed in Overtime if a player has not already played in
mixed doubles. The Supertiebreaker should be treated as a new set, and all substitutions
are allowed.
2. WARM-UP TIME:
In WTT you warm up with your teammates. All players are allowed a five minute
warmup.
All team members are encouraged to warm-up during this time. Once play has begun,
a five minute warm-up is allowed between sets. This must be adhered to so that all sets
will be completed in the time allotted.
3. DEFAULT RULE:
If the home or away team player does not show up on time for his/her match, there will
be a 15 minute default time should a substitute player not be available. If a set is
defaulted, the score should be recorded as 6-0 in favor of the players present. The default
rule will not apply when the missing player is on court playing a previous match. If the
home or away team does not show up on time for the match, there will be a 15 minute
default time. If a match is defaulted, the match score should be recorded as 36-0 in favor
of the team present.
If a player retires during a set and cannot be substituted, the score will be recorded with
the games played standing with the opposing team receiving six games.
4. RECOMMENDATION FOR BREAKING TIES FOR LEAGUE WINNER:
Final standings will be determined as follows: teams with the best overall win/loss match
record will be placed higher in order of finish. If there is a tie in the final standings
between two teams, the following tiebreaking procedures will apply:
1. The tie will be broken in favor of the team with the most direct wins over the
tying team.
2. If a tie still exists, it will be broken in favor of the team with the best overall
winning percentage (total games won divided by total games played).
3. If a tie still exists, the team which has won the most total games overall will be
given precedence.
4. If a tie still exists, it will be broken by the team who has lost the least amount
of total games overall.
5. If a tie still exists, a Supertiebreaker will be played.
If there is a tie in the final standings between three or more teams AND none of the tying
teams has won all matches against all tying opponents, the same tiebreaking procedures
above will apply beginning with step 2. If a team has won all matches against all tying
opponents then they will be placed higher in order of finish.
It is assumed all teams will play all of their scheduled matches. If a team defaults an
entire match during round robin play, then all matches of that team played or to be
played, will not count. If all teams in contention for the championship have already
played the defaulting team in good faith, the matches stand as played.
5. COURT ASSIGNMENT FOR SETS:
Sets 1, 3 and 5 on the WTT scorecard will be played on the same court while sets 2, 4 and
6 will be played on the same court when you are playing the 6 set format. If a mixed
doubles team plays on the wrong court, the games that have been played will stand and
the error will be rectified immediately and play continue. If the sets have been completed,
the scores will stand and games won will be recorded in the appropriate location based on
the rule stated above.
6. DETERMINING RATINGS OF PLAYERS AND THE APPROPRIATE
DIVISION FOR A TEAM: (RHATA has voted to ignore this rule)
All players must have an NTRP rating. Ratings on file with the USTA, the start of the
local league, will be used. Since all sections do not use the "early start ratings", they
will not be recognized by WTT.
If at the start of the local league a player does not have a rating on file with the USTA ,
WTT will accept a self-rating. This self-rating is subject to the approval of the local
league director and the WTT National Office upon completion of a USTA Player Profile
sheet.
o Ratings will only be accepted on a .5 basis (i.e., 3.5, not 3.4).
o The average NTRP rating of the TOP two men and TOP two women is
used to determine a team's level of competition. (Example of top 4
players: 4.0 + 3.5 + 3.0 + 3.0 = 13.5. 13.5 divided by 4 players = 3.375.
This team would register for the 3.5 & under division.)
o No team may carry a player more than one NTRP point above the division
entered.
Additional rating rules for Recreational League teams/players attending the National
Qualifier can be found in the National Qualifier rules section.
Additional rating rules for Corporate League teams/players attending the WTT Nationals
can be found in the Corporate League / WTT Nationals rules section.
THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY ONLY TO LOCAL CORPORATE
LEAGUES: (RHATA has voted to ignore this rule)
1. There must be a minimum of 4 teams to constitute an official league.
2. Teams must play a minimum of 3 matches to advance to the WTT Nationals.
3. Players must compete in at least 2 matches to be eligible to advance with their
team.
4. Teams must consist of at least 2 men and 2 women per team, but can have up to
10 players per team.
5. Team Rosters must consist of a minimum of 50% employees of the participating
company.
6. A WTT Corporate match must have a minimum of 2 employees present to play
the match.
7. Teams winning their local league will advance directly to the WTT Nationals in
November in Indian Wells, California.
8. The WTT Nationals will offer 4 divisions for the Corporate League Champions:
a. 3.5 and below division*
b. 4.0 and below division*
c. 4.5 and below division*
d. Open Division (which will consist of both Corporate Teams and
Recreational League Teams)
9. *Divisions are determined by Rule 6 above: Determining Ratings of Players and
the Appropriate Division for a Team.
10. The six set format will be used (six game set; nine point tiebreaker at five games
all.) Two courts per match.
11. For additional rules on how to play the WTT format, please see WTT Rules
above.

THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY ONLY TO CORPORATE TEAMS
ATTENDING THE WTT NATIONALS:

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