Good tennis etiquette in Stratford is not about wearing “whites”!

It is about the little things that help playing be fun and enjoyable for everyone.  The main thing to remember is to always treat all other players with courtesy and respect. 

What follows is mainly common sense and will help everyone enjoy friendly, fun and competitive tennis. 

 

Before playing:

Please wear suitable tennis footwear with a non-marking sole.  Other footwear may wear out quickly, hurt your feet, or damage or mark the court. 

Tennis ‘whites’ are not required (unlike a lot of clubs in Dublin) all that is asked is that you come clothed in sports clothes.  No jeans, suits or wedding dresses!

It’s a great idea to wear shorts/tracksuit bottoms or a skirt with pockets that can hold 2 balls.  

Mobile phones, smoking, glass/delph or food are not allowed on or near the courts.  No bicycles, rollerblades or pets allowed on the courts.  Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Please wait for a break in play before entering the gate to the all-weather courts and close the gate after you.  Please don’t abuse the tennis nets or other equipment.

When entering the courts, don’t walk behind a court during a point, please wait for a break in play and walk as quickly as possible after the point has finished. 

Note that all junior players must be supervised at all times by a parent or responsible guardian.

If there are other players waiting for courts, we ask you to keep your social tennis games to one hour.

Court usage

Court hours are from 07:00 until 22:30.  

The exception is set times for league games, coaching or other club events. These are notified to members through the weekly email and through What’s App groups.  We ask you for your patience in these circumstances.

When all courts are in use, and other members are waiting, members are asked to keep games to one hour to ensure that nobody waits too long or alternatively offer to play doubles with them!

 

During play:

What’s the score?

Tennis has one of the strangest scoring systems in the sporting world, but it is arguably one of the most fun sports to play.  Here is a link on how to keep score https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Score-for-Tennis.

There’s a ball on court

Remove it!  A ball on court can be distracting and dangerous.  Any balls on your side of the court are your responsibility, and if you are receiving it is your job to make sure they are returned to the server (except between first and second serve as it can upset a server’s rhythm).  If a ball heads off to a neighbouring court, don’t rush after it.  Wait till a suitable break in your own game and crucially, wait till those playing on the adjoining court have finished their point.

If you are playing doubles, it’s nice to offer to hold the third ball for your partner if they are serving.  

If a ball from another court ends up on your court, please roll it safely to the back of the court and not directly into the court or to a player unless he/she requests it.  

If a stray ball comes on court, or impedes a player, mid-point, it is best to replay the point.

That ball was out!

You call the ball on your side of the net. 

The ball landing on any part of the line is in.  

If you saw the ball out, it is out, and your opponent should accept it with good grace.  But you must be sure. If you are in any doubt, the ball is in!  If you are very unsure, offer to replay the point.

 

I need to let off steam/ “You cannot be serious!”

Tennis can be a tense, adrenaline-fuelled game and no one expects it to be played in silence. Emotions are part of the game, but if you swear and shout – even if it is only at your racket – you will probably put others off and may well offend them with your language. Think Roger Federer and you won’t go far wrong.

 

Have fun

Always display good sportsmanship – compliment your opponent on good shots and have fun. 

If you are unsure about any rule, there are lots of experienced players who would be more than willing to help. 

 

After play:

Meet at the net and shake hands with your opponent(s).

Please return all club equipment to the clubhouse after your game.

 

All adult and over 14’s members are welcome to come to practice sessions, where other members will guide them in a very friendly environment.

Social Tennis on Saturday at Midday and Wednesday at 7pm is an Adult session (Over 18).

Enjoy your tennis!

 

The Committee