Tennis League Rules

meetplaynow.com — Bangkok League — Version 03 — May 2026

These rules override the official ITF Rules of Tennis where they differ. For any matter not covered here, ITF rules apply.

This document is structured in two parts: Part A (Tennis-specific rules) and Part B (Universal league rules — common to all sports in the MeetPlayNow Bangkok League).

PART A — Tennis-Specific Rules

The sections below apply exclusively to Tennis. Each sport in the MeetPlayNow Bangkok League has its own Part A. Part B is identical across all sports.

A1. MATCH FORMAT & SCORING

Match Format

Each match is played in a best-of-three sets format:

The first player to win 2 sets wins the match.
Standard tiebreaks are played at 6–6 in all sets.
Regular advantage scoring (deuce/ad) applies unless otherwise announced by the organizer.

Points Awarded Per Match Result

League table points are awarded as follows:

3 points for a 2–0 win (winning without dropping a set).
2 points for the winner and 1 point for the loser in a 2–1 result (match decided by Super Tiebreak).
Walkovers count as a 3-point win in the standings but do not affect either player's MPN-Ranking.

Standings Tiebreakers

When players are level on points, standings are resolved by:

Strength of schedule (sum of points scored by all opponents faced so far).
Additional criteria visible left-to-right in the standings table. Head-to-head results are not used as a tiebreaker. The standings table updates automatically after every result is entered.

A2. EQUIPMENT

Matches must be played with standard tennis balls suitable for competitive play.
The player listed first in the Matches tab provides a new or lightly used set of match balls for the match.
Both players may agree to share the cost of balls.

A3. COURT SURFACE & VENUE COSTS

Default Surface

When players cannot agree on a court surface, the default surface is hard court (indoor or outdoor).
The player listed first in the Matches tab has the tie-breaking right to select the specific venue. Bangkok climate note: players may mutually agree to play indoors when outdoor conditions are extreme (high heat, rain). Court costs are shared equally regardless of surface.

Cost Sharing

Unless otherwise agreed, court rental costs are shared equally between both players.
Players are responsible for booking the court and confirming the reservation with their opponent.

A4. LEAGUE CATEGORIES & MPN-RANKING RANGES

The league is divided into three playing levels:

Beginner: MPN-Ranking 0–1199
Intermediate: MPN-Ranking 1200–1499
Advanced: MPN-Ranking 1500+

Minimum Player Thresholds

A category operates independently only when the minimum number of registered players is met:

Beginner: minimum 8 players
Intermediate: minimum 10 players
Advanced: minimum 10 players If a category falls below its threshold, it may be merged with an adjacent level. The organizer will communicate any merges before the season begins.

The organizer reserves the right to move players between categories if their level is clearly inconsistent with the registered division.

A5. SPORT-SPECIFIC MATCH PROCEDURES

Warm-Up

Players are entitled to a maximum 5-minute warm-up before the match (up to 10 minutes by mutual agreement).

Coaching

Coaching during matches is not permitted unless specifically allowed by the organizer for a given season or category.

PART B — Universal League Rules

The rules below apply identically to all meetplaynow.com Bangkok League sports: Tennis, Badminton, Padel, Pickleball, Squash, and Table Tennis. Copy this section without modification when creating the rules document for any discipline.

B1. LEAGUE FORMAT

Structure

The league consists of 8 rounds played using the Swiss pairing system.
Each player plays one match per round against an opponent selected based on current standings and results.
The Swiss system pairs the top-ranked player with the nearest player they have not yet faced, working down the standings until all players are paired.

Round Draw Timing

Round 1 is drawn on Monday (after 10:00 AM Bangkok time).
All subsequent rounds are drawn on Sunday (after 10:00 PM Bangkok time).

B2. MATCH SCHEDULING

After opponents are assigned, players must contact each other through the league platform chat to arrange the match.

Scheduling Responsibilities

Respond to scheduling messages within 48 hours.
When reaching out, propose at least two or three date/time options and a preferred venue — this speeds up agreement considerably.
Once a date is agreed, confirm it via the calendar icon in the platform so the organizer and other players can see it.
Act in good faith throughout the scheduling process.

Communication Language

The default language for all scheduling messages on the platform is English, to ensure clarity across Bangkok's international player community.

Unable to Agree on Logistics

If players cannot agree on match location, surface, playing conditions, or other logistical matters, the player listed first in the Matches tab has the final decision.

Skipping a Round (Without Using a Joker Card)

If a player is unable to participate in an entire round and does not wish to use a Joker Card, they must click the "Skip Round" button in the Schedule section before the round draw.
When ready to rejoin, use the "Play Round" button to re-enter the draw.
Players who are inactive without skipping may be temporarily removed from future draws until they re-enter.

B3. MATCH CONDUCT & FAIR PLAY

All matches are self-officiated. No referees or umpires are provided unless specifically appointed by the organizer.

Expected Conduct

Make honest calls on all disputed points.
Respect your opponent at all times.
Display good sportsmanship throughout the match.
Resolve disputes fairly and calmly. When in doubt about a call, replay the point.

Late Arrival

A player arriving more than 15 minutes late without prior notice may lose the match by walkover.

Injury & Retirement

If a player retires during a match due to injury or any other reason, the opponent is declared the winner.
The score at the moment of retirement must be recorded and submitted.

Weather & Extreme Conditions

If weather or unsafe conditions interrupt play, the match may be resumed later and must continue from the exact score where it stopped.
Players should make reasonable efforts to complete interrupted matches within the allowed timeframe for that round.

Spectators & Observers

Players are encouraged to ask their opponent — when scheduling or at minimum before play begins — whether they are comfortable with supporters or observers being present.
This is a courtesy that helps maintain a respectful atmosphere and avoids discomfort.

Prohibited Conduct

The following are strictly prohibited and may result in warnings, default losses, suspension, or permanent removal from the league without refund:

Verbal abuse directed at opponents, spectators, or organizers.
Aggressive, intimidating, or threatening behavior.
Intentional cheating or falsification of match results.
Equipment abuse (rackets, tables, shuttles, balls, etc.).
Harassment of any kind.
Unauthorized advertising or promotion during league activities. Misconduct penalties apply equally whether directed at opponents, spectators, or organizers.

B4. NO-SHOW & VENUE COST REIMBURSEMENT

If an opponent fails to appear for a confirmed match, or cancels with less than 12 hours' notice, the absent player forfeits the match and must reimburse the full venue booking cost to the other player.
If the venue's own cancellation policy requires notice 24 or 48 hours in advance, the no-show player is still liable for the full cost.
Players should retain proof of payment (booking confirmation, receipt, bank transfer record) in case of disputes. Evidence of the no-show (e.g. chat screenshots, booking confirmation) may be requested by the organizer. If a player fails to reimburse the venue cost within 24 hours of a confirmed obligation, the organizer may remove them from the league.

B5. JOKER CARDS

If a player cannot play during a scheduled round, they may use a Joker Card to postpone the match by one week.

Rules

Each player receives 4 Joker Cards for the regular season.
Joker Cards cannot be transferred to another player or carried over to a future season.
A postponed match must be completed before the draw of the round after next. Example: a Round 1 match postponed with a Joker Card must be completed before the Round 3 draw.

How to Use a Joker Card

If you cannot find a free slot in the first week after the draw, use a Joker Card to extend by one week.
Click the Joker Card button under My Matches → Current Matches.
A Joker Card can also be used retroactively to reactivate a match during the next round — monitor chat activity to avoid automatic exclusion from the draw.

Anti-Gaming Rule — Temporary Points During Draw

To prevent players from deliberately delaying matches for an easier draw: when a Joker Card is used, both players in that match temporarily receive 1.5 points (half of the 3-point maximum) for the purpose of calculating the next round's pairings.
These temporary points are replaced by the actual match result once submitted.

Inactivity

If no communication between players occurs in the first week after the draw, a Joker Card may only be used with the explicit agreement of the other player.
If neither player uses a Joker Card and both are inactive in chat, the organizer may remove both players from the next draw. Players can re-enter via the "Play Round" button.

B6. SUPER JOKER

If a match has already been closed or locked, players may request a Super Joker to re-open and complete it.

Both players must agree.
4 Joker Cards are consumed in total — 2 from each player.
Exception: if one player already used a Joker Card on this specific match, only 1 card is taken from that player (2 are still taken from the other player).
The match may then be completed at any time before the end of the regular season.
The Super Joker can only be used after a match has been closed — not before.
Each player may convert a maximum of 4 Joker Cards into 2 Super Jokers per season.

The organizer reserves the right to reject excessive or abusive use of the Super Joker system.

B7. WALKOVERS & DEFAULT WINS

A player wins by default if:

The opponent fails to appear for a confirmed match.
The opponent cancels with less than 12 hours' notice without prior agreement.
The opponent remains inactive and unresponsive to scheduling attempts.
The opponent repeatedly refuses reasonable scheduling proposals.
All default wins are subject to organizer review. Evidence (chat history, screenshots) may be requested.
Walkovers count as 3 points in the standings but do not affect either player's MPN-Ranking.

B8. RESULT SUBMISSION

The winner is responsible for entering the final score into the platform within 24 hours of match completion.
The opponent must verify and confirm the submitted result.
If players submit conflicting results, the organizer may request supporting evidence before validating the score.

Community Photo

After every match, both players are encouraged to take a photo together on court and upload it to the platform. This builds community spirit and helps confirm the match was completed.

B9. PLAYOFFS

After the regular season, the league proceeds to playoffs. All playoff matches follow the same format as the regular season (see Part A).

Standard Format (up to 24 players)

The top 8 players qualify for Playoffs A.
Quarterfinals: 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5.
Semifinals: winner of (1–8) vs winner of (4–5); winner of (2–7) vs winner of (3–6).

Extended Format (more than 24 paid players)

Playoffs A: top 8 players.
Playoffs B, C, D, etc.: subsequent groups of 8, so every player has playoff matches.

Final & 3rd-Place

Final: winner of SF1 (1–8 vs 4–5 winner) vs winner of SF2 (2–7 vs 3–6 winner).
3rd-place match: losers of SF1 and SF2 play for the bronze position. Mandatory unless both finalists agree to skip.

Playoff Rules

All quarterfinals, semifinals, finals, and 3rd-place matches must be completed before the next phase is drawn.
Players may not be moved up in the bracket to avoid disrupting the ranking.
If a player withdraws before the playoff draw, their opponent receives an automatic walkover. No substitute from a lower position may replace them.
If players cannot agree on a date during playoffs, the player ranked higher in the regular season standings advances.

B10. AUTOMATIC MATCH EVALUATION

If no result is entered before the deadline, the match may be locked, automatically evaluated, or declared unplayed by the organizer.

Evaluation Logic

Both players submit identical proposals → match closes with that result.
Only one player submits a proposal → match closes with that result; the inactive player may be temporarily removed from future draws.
Neither player submits and a scheduled date exists matching the round week → a Joker Card is automatically used from the first-listed player's account.
No date was set and no Joker Card was used → match closes without a winner; the inactive profile may be logged out of the league.

Appeals must be submitted within 48 hours of evaluation to the organizer. In playoff matches, if a result cannot be determined, the player who finished higher in the regular season standings advances.

B11. ORGANIZER AUTHORITY

The organizer reserves the right to:

Interpret these rules and resolve ambiguities.
Resolve disputes between players.
Modify the league structure if necessary.
Make final decisions in exceptional situations not explicitly covered by these rules.

All organizer decisions are final.

B12. REGISTRATION & FEES

Registration fees for each season are displayed on the meetplaynow.com platform at the time of sign-up.
Fees are non-refundable once the season draw has begun, except in cases of organizer cancellation.
Players removed from the league due to misconduct or repeated rule violations are not entitled to a refund.

Due Process for Misconduct Removal

Before any player is removed from the league for misconduct, the organizer will:

Issue a written warning describing the misconduct.
Provide the player 7 days to respond with evidence or explanation.
Review the response and any supporting evidence (chat history, witness statements, screenshots) before issuing a final decision.
Notify the player of the final decision in writing, including reasons.

Players may appeal the final decision in writing within 7 days of notification. Appeals are reviewed by a different organizer (where possible) and the decision is final.

B13. DATA PROTECTION (PDPA)

By registering, players acknowledge that their personal data (name, contact information, match results, and MPN-Ranking) is collected and processed for league administration purposes.

Data Controller: GiBSeS OÜ (Juhkentali 8, 10132 Tallinn, Estonia), operating the MeetPlayNow platform in Thailand.
Lawful basis: contract performance (Art. 24 PDPA B.E. 2562) — processing is necessary to deliver the league services you have registered for.
Retention period: personal data is retained for the duration of your active participation + 5 years after your last activity (statute of limitations for sports-related disputes). Match results and aggregated rankings may be retained indefinitely as historical league records (anonymised where possible).
Cross-border transfer: data may be processed by service providers in the EU/EEA and other jurisdictions with adequate data protection (per PDPC adequacy decisions). Standard contractual safeguards apply.
Third parties: data will not be sold or shared outside league operations without consent. Limited processors (payment gateway, email delivery, hosting) operate under data processing agreements.
Your rights under PDPA B.E. 2562: access, rectification, deletion, restriction of processing, data portability, objection, and withdrawal of consent (where consent is the basis). Submit requests via the Privacy page or contact the organizer.
Right to lodge a complaint with the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) of Thailand at any time.

B14. LIABILITY

Players participate entirely at their own risk. The organizer is not responsible for:

Injuries or accidents during match play.
Theft or loss of personal property at or around the venue.
Damaged equipment.
Disputes between players occurring outside the platform.

The above limitations do not apply where damage is caused by the organizer's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Nothing in these rules limits liabilities that cannot be limited under Thai law.

By registering and participating, players confirm they have read and accept these rules in full, and agree to conduct themselves respectfully and responsibly throughout the competition.

Note on international federation rules: MeetPlayNow is not affiliated with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) or any other governing body. ITF rules are referenced as a baseline for matters not covered above; for tennis governance, refer to the official ITF website.