RULES

 

Last updated 3.1.2026

 

Table of Contents 

  • Quick Reference 
  • About AC Tennis 
  • Membership 
  • Match Play Rules 
  • Match Etiquette and Procedures 
  • Rain, Substitutes, and Make-up Matches 
  • Forfeits and Penalties 
  • FAQ 
  • New Member Checklist 
  • Player Agreement Attestation

 

Quick Reference

  • Season: May-September (Wednesday evenings) 
  • Match Times: Generally 6:00pm and 7:00pm (1 hour per match) 
  • Locations:
  • What to Bring: Tennis racquet, one can of new tennis balls (standard size) 
  • Score Reporting: Winner reports scores by end of Thursday via https://matchplay.actennis.com/ 
  • Social Gathering: Leff’s Lucky Town, 7208 W. State St., Wauwatosa, after matches 
  • Forfeit Fines: 1st offense: $30 | 2nd offense: $50 | 3rd offense: Removal (fees can be paid here)

          About AC Tennis 

          AC Tennis is a social tennis league consisting of up to 84 men and women of age 21+ who play pre-scheduled singles matches Wednesday evenings from May through September. We play at outdoor courts located at Hart Park and Wick Field in Wauwatosa, WI, and Juneau Playfield in Milwaukee, WI. 

          Our Mission 

          AC Tennis provides a unique combination of fun, competitive tennis matches and a variety of social opportunities for members. We pride ourselves on fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship both on and off the court. 

           

          Membership

          Who Should Join 

          AC Tennis is perfect for you if you are 21+, can commit to playing most Wednesday evenings from May through September, and want to be part of a social, competitive tennis community. If you’re frequently unavailable on Wednesday evenings, we recommend waiting for a season when you have more availability. 

          Member Expectations 

          • Commit to the majority (approx. 75%) of Wednesday evening matches (May–September) 
          • Arrive prepared with your racquet and one can of new tennis balls 
          • Exhibit excellent sportsmanship and courtesy on and off the court 
          • Notify the scheduler promptly about planned absences (vacations, business trips) via https://matchplay.actennis.com/. If a schedule is out and your name is on it, it’s up to you to find a sub. 
          • Make an effort to attend social functions, including joining us as Leff’s, and foster our unique community spirit
          • Reciprocate when fellow members buy pitchers or food/drinks 

            New Members & Probationary Period 

            AC Tennis has limited capacity (84 members). Priority for membership goes to returning members, followed by new member invitations. First-year members should know that AC Tennis reserves the right to not invite them back if they fail to meet league expectations, violate rules, or demonstrate poor sportsmanship. 

            Any member (including board members) may be removed for failing to meet expectations or violating league rules. 

             

            Match Play Rules 

            Overall: Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy of both players. 

            Match Format & Scoring 

            AC Tennis uses a non-traditional scoring format to accommodate court time and player numbers: 

            • Matches last one (1) hour including warm-up 
            • Games are played as conventional “ad” games (deuce, advantage scoring) 
            • Winner is determined by total games won within the hour 

            Example: Jane beats Jim 9 games to 7 games. The score is reported as 9-7 with Jane as the winner. 

            • If tied when time expires, play a tiebreak to determine the winner 

            Standard tiebreak rules (you can modify if both players agree to do it differently): The winner is the first player to reach 7 points, and they must win by 2 points. The first server serves one point from the deuce court; after that, players alternate serving two consecutive points each. Players switch ends of the court every 6 total points. 

            Scheduling 

            • The AC Tennis Scheduler strives to create matches between players of similar ability 
            • Schedules are released every approximately 1-4 weeks via email and the website (longer times between schedules as the season’s rankings stabilize) 
            • Matches are typically scheduled at 6:00pm or 7:00pm (times may vary for high school practices) 
            • Time off requests are due as early as possible. 
            • Time slot preferences are accommodated when possible, but not guaranteed

            Ranking System 

            • Initial ranking is determined through self-report, recommendations, and/or a trial match 
            • Rankings adjust throughout the season based on match scores, point differential, and opponent ranking 

            Score Reporting 

            • The winner reports the score by end of day Thursday – it’s easiest if you just do it right after your game. 
            • Report via https://matchplay.actennis.com/ 
            • Unreported matches are considered “no play” and don’t count toward rankings 

              Match Etiquette & Procedures 

              Before the Match 

              • Arrive 10 minutes before at your scheduled court 
              • Jointly decide whose can of balls to use (the winner keeps the unopened can) 
              • Agree on warm-up time and whether to allow practice serves 
              • Spin a racquet or toss a coin to determine first server 

              During the Match 

              • Start on time, especially if another match is scheduled after yours 
              • Server must clearly announce the score before each game 
              • Receiving player calls all shots out or fair (honor system – cheating will not be tolerated) 
              • Switch sides every odd-numbered game 
              • If tied at the end of the hour, play a tiebreak (be reasonable with time if another match follows) 

                Courtside Courtesy 

                • If the previous match is in a tiebreak when your hour starts, allow them to finish 
                • Don’t enter the fenced court area until the prior match has clearly ended 
                • Feel free to arrive early or stay late to watch fellow members play 

                  Rain, Substitutes & Make-Up Matches 

                  Rain Outs & Inclement Weather 

                  • AC Tennis may cancel matches due to unfavorable weather forecasts. Cancellations will be communicated by the AC Tennis Scheduler, and decisions will be made carefully by the AC Tennis Board — with a strong preference to play whenever possible. 
                  • Don’t assume matches are cancelled without checking – rain at your location doesn’t mean wet courts 
                  • When in doubt, inspect the court in person before match time 
                  • Rained-out matches may be rescheduled if both players wish (optional) 
                  • If it starts raining after you start playing, it’s up to you and your opponent if you choose to report that score, reschedule, or cancel 

                  Finding a Substitute 

                  If you can’t make your match, it’s your responsibility to find a substitute or reschedule with your opponent. 

                  How to find a sub: 

                  • Give your opponent the choice: play against a substitute OR reschedule the match
                  • Select someone within ±6 ranking points of your opponent 
                  • Keep your opponent updated (copy them on emails to potential subs) 
                  • If no sub available, ask a similarly ranked player scheduled before/after your time if they’ll play 2 hours 
                  • Once sub is confirmed, your responsibility for the match transfers to the substitute 

                  Important: If rescheduling, immediately notify the scheduler so the court can be offered to other members. We pay for court time! 

                  Make-Up Matches 

                  • Players are responsible for scheduling their own make-up matches (date, time, location) 
                  • Notify the scheduler so they can offer your original court time to other members 
                  • You may play AC Tennis format (1 hour, total games) or traditional format (sets) if both players agree 
                  • For traditional format, agree in advance on number of sets and report each set score 
                  • Winner reports the score – results count toward rankings 

                  Forfeits & Penalties 

                  What Constitutes a Forfeit 

                  A forfeit occurs when a player fails to show up within 10 minutes of scheduled start time without notifying their opponent by noon that day. 

                  Important: A no-show only becomes an official forfeit when reported to the scheduler by the player who was stood up. 

                  True emergencies (medical crisis, car accident, mechanical failure) are understandable and don’t count as forfeits. Contact your opponent and scheduler as soon as possible. 

                  Forfeit Fines & Consequences 

                  • First offense: $30 fine (removed from schedule until paid) 
                  • Second offense: $50 fine (removed from schedule until paid) 
                  • Third offense: n/a (removal from league) 

                    Payment: Fines are payable here. 

                    Frequently Asked Questions 

                    What if I’m new to tennis or haven’t played in years? 

                    AC Tennis welcomes players of all skill levels! Our ranking system ensures you’ll be matched with opponents of similar ability. During the application process, we’ll assess your level through self-reporting, recommendations, or a trial match. 

                    Do I have to attend the social gatherings? 

                    While not mandatory, we encourage members to participate in social events. The social aspect is what makes AC Tennis unique. We understand everyone has different schedules and commitments, but making an effort to connect with fellow members helps build our community. 

                    What happens if it rains on my match day? 

                    Communicate with your opponent (preferred method of communication is a phone call or text)! Don’t assume the match is cancelled. One of you should check the courts in person if uncertain. If you decide not to play due to weather, you may optionally reschedule for another time. Keep in mind that there is often a group that will gather at Leff’s for beers and such on rainout days. 

                    Can I bring guests to watch my matches? 

                    Yes! Friends and family are welcome to watch from outside the court fence. Just ask them to wait until your match is clearly finished before entering the court area. 

                    How are membership dues used? 

                    Membership dues primarily cover court rental fees for the season. AC Tennis keeps dues affordable, which is why we ask members to contribute in other ways (bringing food to parties, tipping fairly on group deals, etc.). 

                    What if I need to miss several weeks during the season? 

                    Notify the scheduler as soon as you know your dates. We’ll keep you off the schedule and sub list for those weeks. If you know in advance that you’ll miss multiple weeks, please consider whether this is the right season for you to join. 

                    Where exactly are the courts located? 

                    New Member Checklist 

                    Welcome to AC Tennis! Here’s what to do before your first match: 

                    • Review the schedule sent via email and note your match time and location 
                    • Save the scheduler’s contact information in your phone ([email protected]) 
                    • Purchase a can of new tennis balls (bring one to each match) 
                    • Locate your court ahead of time if you’re unfamiliar with the area 
                    • Bookmark https://matchplay.actennis.com/ for easy score reporting 
                    • Introduce yourself to other members at Leff’s Lucky Town after your match 

                        Agreement 

                        By joining AC Tennis and paying membership dues, every member (including board members) agrees to abide by the rules and expectations outlined in this document.

                         

                        Welcome to AC Tennis! 

                        We look forward to the fun times on and off the court with you!