ETIQUETTE ON AND AROUND THE TENNIS COURTS

All members are respectfully asked to observe the following etiquette rules and ensure their guests do as well:

RESPONSIBILITY

  • All players, members and visitors, play at their own risk. It is each player’s responsibility to assess whether it is safe to go on court and to take care on and around the grounds (for example, in inclement or icy conditions).
  • All players should be well-behaved and courteous at the Club. 

DRESS

  • Wear recognised tennis clothing and shoes and a top at all times. Trainers and other heavily ridged footwear should not be worn as they will damage the court. That said, tennis shoes should have adequate tread to avoid slips on court.

JUNIORS

·       Parents must ensure that their children abide by these etiquette rules as well as the rules of tennis. This  includes dress and behaviour on and off court.

  • Parents should set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all juniors.

ON COURT

  • Players must abide by the LTA Code of Conduct (posted in the clubhouse), particularly during matches and tournaments: https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/officiate–volunteer/documents/organiser–official-resources/tournament-notices/lta-code-of-conduct-notice-2013.pdf
  • Players must follow the rules of tennis. When in doubt, please consult the International Tennis Federation rules: https://www.itftennis.com/media/2510/2020-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf
  • Members playing with visitors must sign them in to the visitors book by the club entrance and pay the visitor fee in cash or by bank transfer.
  • Refrain from foul or abusive language. Do not let the frustrations of the game make you an unpleasant person to play with
  • Turn mobile phones off. Do not delay play by consulting any electronic devices
  • Respect others playing on nearby courts as well as your opponent(s). Keep your voice down and confined to your court as much as possible.
  • Do not criticise or coach other players on your court.
  • Make line calls clearly and promptly (on your side only) and give your opponent(s) the benefit of the doubt if you are unsure. If it isn’t clearly OUT it is IN. If both sides agree, then it can be appropriate to replay the point.
  • Only 4 balls are allowed per court. Keep track of your tennis balls
  • If you hit a ball out of the playing areas (except in an adjoining garden) make every effort to retrieve it
  • Collect up 4 balls after each set and place in tin for the next set – if last on court bring balls into Clubhouse
  • In arranged tennis, always finish by the allotted time unless there is nobody waiting
  • When leaving the court, make sure to take all items with you: all balls (whether you brought them on court or not), ball trays, ball tins, rubbish and personal items
  • If last off court, always slacken the net and close the gate

WAITING TO PLAY

  • Do not walk behind or alongside the court if play is in progress – wait until the point is over and then walk by quickly. If a match is in progress, avoid all courts being used for match play.

COURT BOOKINGS

  • All court bookings must be made online at elliswickltc.sports-booker.com. Access to the site may be direct or through the ELTC website (https://www.elliswickltc.co.uk/book-a-court-2/). Said ELTC web page also contains the Court Booking Policy, which all members must abide by.

AROUND THE CLUBHOUSE

  • Please leave the clubhouse as you would expect to find it, especially the tables, kitchen, tea room, and toilets. It is everyone’s responsibility to tidy the clubhouse after each use.
  • If you use the tea and coffee facilities please make sure to wash up afterwards and, if applicable, pay for visitors (there is a money tin in the kitchen or tea room for this purpose)
  • Tins of new balls are left out in the clubhouse for specific purposes only and labelled as such. Do not take them for general play
  • Do not attempt to open or shut the clubhouse partition unless you have been trained to do so by a club official
  • Refrain from smoking or vaping on (or near) the courts and in the Clubhouse
  • If you are the last to leave, turn off the lights and close the outside door.

THANK YOU AND ENJOY YOURSELVES

The ELTC Committee