Tennis Gradings

In order to facilitate the participation of tennis players in competitions, players are graded from 7 (beginner) up to grade 1. Players move up the grades on the basis of their performance in various competitions.

Points are awarded to players based on their results in competitions as set out below:

Players are awarded double points if they are a winner or runner-up in a grade above their own grade.

Players who achieve the required number of points are re-graded as set out in table below:

Note: If a player achieves 400 points, that player can be regraded upwards by 2 grades at discretion of Munster Tennis.

Procedure for the Upgrading of Players in the Munster Branch area of Operation

Purpose: To allow for the streamlining of upgrades concerning players who have reached the correct amount of points or who are deemed too strong for the grade they are playing based on observation by a member of the directory committee.

Scope: The scope of this procedure covers all Munster Branch sanctioned events in which points are earned by players. This covers Winter League, Summer Cup and Open tournaments throughout Munster.

This procedure covers Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6

Procedure:

Observation: Any player can be upgraded at any time during the season. This procedure can be triggered on foot of complaints from members of the draw that the person is competing in, results in previous tournaments or players winning tournaments at Grades above their own. Any member of the Directory and Grading Committee could observe such a player play and recommend to the rest of the committee that the person should be immediately upgraded.

Any upgrade is effective from the date of notification but if the official closing date of the next tournament has passed, then they can play that tournament at their previous Grade.

The player in question would have recourse to appeal but this would only be heard at the end of the season. The player in question would have to send in the appeal by email or letter for it to be looked into- showing results since the upgrade and including a Coach’s appraisal of their standard.

Points: In the normal run of events there are 4 times in which players can be upgraded. These are;

1. Following culmination of the Winter League
2. Midseason review – normally around second week of July
3. At the end of the season
4. Grade 6

1. Winter League

Gaining 200 points in Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 during the Winter League will result in upgrading to the Grade above which a player is playing. There points are zeroed and they begin the season in the new grade at zero points. Should you not be ungraded the points earned during the Winter League will carry forward to the Summer Season.

2. Mid-season Review

There is a mid-season review of the gradings in the directory. The following is a breakdown of the requirements for upgrading during the mid-season review:

Grade 3

• 250 – 350 – upgraded midseason and left in new grade
• 350 – 400 – upgraded to next Grade up but with a proviso saying that 1 win in that grade during the remainder of the season and will be upgraded again at end of the season
• 400 points plus- Possibly Double jumped

Grade 4 and 5

• 250 points to 350 – upgraded midseason and left in new grade
• 350 points – 400 – upgraded but with a proviso saying that 1 win in that grade during the remainder of the season and will be upgraded again at end of the season
• 400 (500) points plus – Possibly Double jumped

Should a player be upgraded at this time, all points earned to date would be zeroed and the player would start the second half of the season on zero points in their new grade

3. End of the Season

At the end of the season all players above 200 points will be automatically upgraded. Any player with 350 points or more at the end of the season will be assessed individually and could be double jumped.

4. Grade 6

As Grade 6 is for people and players just starting to play the game, any person that reaches 200 points will be upgraded automatically. This can happen at any time during the season. Should a player reach the 200 points they shall be notified and will not be allowed to play Grade 6 from the date of notification.

However, if the official closing date of the next tournament has passed, then they can play that tournament at their previous Grade 6.

Conclusion

Rules for Upgrades and Downgrades can be found in the Directory Rules on the Munster Tennis Website. This article is for guidance and to assist players and clubs in understanding these rules.

It should be noted that the Player Directory can be found on the Munster Tennis Website. It is up to each player to keep track of their own points to ensure they enter the correct grading based on their points even if they have not been officially notified of their upgrade.

Grade 7

This is an entry level grade. Our club caters for grade 7 competitively in Open week and Club week. Many other clubs run joint grade 6 / 7 events. It is generally accepted that Grade 7 is solely a beginner level and, after a year or so at this grade, players should enter grade 6 competitions.

Registering with Munster Tennis & Tennis Ireland