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matchplay overview
Key objectives
For children to enjoy competing against each other in a friendly and relaxed environment, and to develop and improve their tennis skills in the process. Matchplay isn’t for all children. It is for those who have progressed to a certain level, and who are both committed to improving their tennis, and keen to compete against other children. For children taking lessons at Hawker, their coach will advise you when your child is ready to have a go. Matchplay is also open to children who have lessons elsewhere, because most tennis clubs don't offer a Matchplay programme, and I don't want anyone to miss out! If you want to try it out for the first time, email or speak to Nick. We also have mini tennis orange baselines painted on our courts for the 9 and unders!
When and where?
Matchplay runs most weekend afternoons all year round, at Hawker Tennis in Kingston (action button to contact page)
Why?
Playing matches is essential for the development of any keen young tennis player, and ultimately what tennis is all about! Matches are played using a court size and ball type suitable to players age and ability. Doing Matchplay once every 3 weeks would be the minimum I would recommend to benefit from it, but there's no limit to how often a child can play!
How does it work?
Each session sees each child play 2 singles matches, and usually a doubles match too. Older more advanced children will play a longer format singles match, and a short doubles if enough players. This normally takes between 1½ and 2 hours.
Match format
Matches are first to 4 games. If tied at 3-3, they play to 5. If tied at 4-4, they play a mini tie-break. This is first to 4 points, but if this reaches 3-3, then they must go on until someone is ahead by 2 clear points.
For stronger players playing one match, 2 short sets or 2 full sets is used, with a match tie-break to decide if needed. Single full sets to 6 can sometimes be used where stronger players are playing 2 matches.
World Tennis Number
All matches will be input for use in the World Tennis number rating system, which updates weekly to give players an accurate reflection of their standard. This will be done automatically, the only case where this isn't possible is if players are not LTA registered, or are playing up into a higher age group that doesn't align with the LTA system.