We are excited to announce a new format for this season of the Winter Doubles League! Winter Doubles Ladder! It will be a ladder format and is designed so that players will compete mostly with others of similar skill levels, as well as bringing even more social experience to the winter league.

 

This season, everyone will be registering as an individual instead of as a team. Each week, players will be placed in groups of 4 in the order of their ranking on the ladder for round robin match play. Please see below for specific details about the new format:

• Regular season will run from Nov. 14 through March 6th. Playoff dates to follow once registration is finalized.

• There will be four divisions: Open, A, B, and C. Please refer to the descriptions of each division at the bottom of this page.

• All players will play three sets of doubles each week in a round-robin format with the other three players of the four-person grouping. This will allow for more play time (as this was some feedback from the previous Winter League format), as well as create a more social experience to meet more players.

• Initial rankings will be based off of previous Winter Doubles Results, GLTA results, and Summer Singles ranking, whichever of the above information is available.

• Your ongoing individual ranking on the ladder will be based upon your winning percentage (sets won first, then games won to determine tiebreakers). Players will move up or down the ladder based upon their winning percentage.

• Each player will have 7 weekly matchups during the regular season, and all players will qualify for playoffs.

• Players unable to play in a scheduled week must notify the Winter Doubles Organizers by a specified deadline so that a substitute player can be found if needed to complete the foursome scheduled that week.

• Substitutes must be a current AAC member and within the same skill level as the registered player. Substitutes will be on a pay-to-play basis (paying a $40 fee per session just to cover the court costs of that week). AAC will invoice your sub-player account on days played. 

• Cost per person will be $250. The true court costs for the season are in actuality much higher than this per person, but the SCT Board has decided to subsidize a substantial amount of the cost due to ever-rising indoor court costs. We are also committed to continue providing opportunities for league members to play tennis throughout the winter without having to pay the high costs of tennis club monthly membership fees.

• Lakeshore Sport & Fitness on Fullerton Ave. in Lincoln Park will still be the host venue.

• Time will be as it has been every year: Fridays from 9-11pm

• Are you new to SCT? If so, email us at winterdoubles@secondcitytennis.com and we can help facilitate proper division choices if needed. And give you a warm welcome!

 

Registration is now open! Click here to register. Registration requires an annual $25 membership with AAC (Athletic Alliance of Chicago which is our parent sports organization). This will allow you to register for any other SCT event throughout the year and any other sports under AAC.

 

We hope to see you on the courts this season for the exciting new format of Winter Doubles Ladder!

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WHICH DIVISION DO I BELONG TO?

You need to determine your level based on USTA NTRP rating. Read below and see where you fit:

• 2.0 This is a beginning player.
• 2.5 This player is learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. This player can sustain a slow rally with other players of same ability. 
• 3.0 This player is consistent when hitting medium pace shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks control when trying for directional intent, depth, or power. 
• 3.5 This player has achieved improved stroke dependability and direction on moderate pace shots, but still lacks depth and variety. This player exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage and is developing teamwork in doubles. 
• 4.0 This player has dependable strokes, including directional intent, on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving and teamwork in doubles is evident.
• 4.5 This player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is beginning to vary tactics according to opponents. This player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve and is able to rush the net successfully.
• 5.0 This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. This player can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls, can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes, has good depth and spin on most second serves.

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For more details visit: https://www.usta.com/content/dam/usta/pdfs/NTRP%20General%20Characteristics.pdf 

 

Now choose your division:
 

                                    Open = 4.5+    A = 4.0    B1 = 3.5    B2 = 3.0    C = 2.5 and below

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