Guide to Playing at Thames Ditton
From Tennis
The Unofficial Guide to Playing Tennis at Thames Ditton Lawn Tennis Club
Written by and produced by Martin and Marianne House, as an aid to new club members.
Summer 2007
Contents |
Foreword
So what’s this booklet all about ? It’s simple really – there are many ’customs’ that affect how we play Tennis at Thames Ditton, and We’re sure at other clubs as well. A number of ’seasoned’ players have thought that it would be helpful to new members if these customs were written down.
These are not rules, but more habits that have been found to help while playing. Many of the points raised are in some ways nothing more than good manners, and others enable us to take care of the facilities we have enjoyed at Thames Ditton for over 125 years ( not us personally ! )
Many of these notes will be standard practice for regular tennis players, but this booklet has been written for novice players ’upwards’.
Please note that this booklet has not been created by the club committee, so that’s why it’s not ’official’.
Before you play
Yes, although it may to be obvious, there are some customs to be observed before play.
The Car park – Members are welcome to use the car park, clearly, but please don’t block other cars in, as it may be that somebody will want to leave while you’re on court ! As we don’t have much space, please move your car ’in’ as far as possible. There is an ’Entrance’ and an ’Exit’ to the car park ( The Exit is closer to the Railway Station )
Bicycle Rack – If you come on your bicycle, please use our cycle rack to store your bike. Perhaps you should consider locking your bike as well. Please leave your bike in the rack.
There are Ladies and Gents Changing Rooms for our use, with toilets and showers. These facilities are for all our use, so please keep them tidy. You may keep your clothes in there while playing, but we expect the club would say that you leave valuables in there ’at your own risk’.
We used to have an ’all whites’ rule at the club for Tennis Clothing, but no longer. The only kit related rules are firstly that if you are going to play on the grass, your shoes should not have ’studs’ or deep groves etc. The reason for this is that we want to keep the grass playing surface in good condition, and grooved shoes have been found to spoil the grass quite quickly. Secondly, you should wear "suitable" tennis clothing.
At TDLTC, you will need to provide your own Tennis Balls. This means that with scores of privately owned tins of tennis balls at the club, it makes sense to put some unique marking on your balls so that you know they are yours. Many people put their initials, or their forename, or a set of dots or lines. ( we have a ’house’ logo ! ) Use a broad felt tip pen to put the marking on as it does rub off as the knap gets worn.
If you need to buy balls they are available from the Clubhouse Bar.
Lastly, as tennis is a two or four player game you’ll need somebody to play against and possibly with. There are different club ’sessions’ which mean that at different times you can play with the following people:
- Somebody you’ve just met at the club – this would happen in a general ’mix-in’ session.
- Somebody you have arranged to play with.
- Three other people they you’ve arranged to play with on a Monday or Thursday evening. These are TDLTC’s popular ’fixed fours’ sessions.
- A guest who is not a club member, that you have brought down – they’ll need to pay a visitor’s fee. ( There is a limit to the number of guests who can be bought down, and the number of times each particular guest can play. )
All players, with the exception of any guests, should be wearing their ’Shoe Tags’ – provided to members when they join or rejoin each year. Wearing your tag avoids the embarrassment of being asked if you are a member !
On the way to the court
The courts are numbered 1 to 6 on the grass, leading away from the clubhouse.
All of the courts are reached by the pathway on the left-hand side of the grounds ( looking away from the clubhouse ). We don’t walk along the edge of the grass or down the middle by the nets to reach the courts – even number 2 court – as over time we would wear away the grass. This applies on the return trip as well !
As you make you way to your court, please consider that other people will be playing on the courts. Please don’t make excessive noise, or tap the fence or nets as this could distract the players on court – We’re sure you wouldn’t like to be distracted as you’re playing.
When it’s time to walk onto court, wait until the adjacent court have finished their point before going on. The same principle applies when leaving the court.
Most people take their tennis bags to the court ( with balls, drinks etc ) - place your bag near the net posts ( not at the end of the court as it can be a visual distraction ), but consider that people will need to step over your bag when they change ends.
On the court
When you arrive on court ( if you’re playing doubles ) you may have already decided how players will pair up. Otherwise, somebody may will ’spin their racquet’ and offer you ’rough’ or ’smooth’. This refers to the way that the strings on your racquet are strung. Many people offer; ’M’ or ’W’ ( usually owners of Wilson racquets ), or ’up’ or ’down’ etc. If it’s a same sex four then, normally, two like ’calls’ play together, or the odd man out waits for the remaining three to re-spin for another odd man out.
Try to make the pairs even, in terms of sex and ability. If it’s a mixed four, then normally one player will spin to pair up with a player of the opposite sex.
Also, we normally ’spin’ to see who serves. If you win the spin, you can either choose who serves, or which ends players have. ( This is one of the rules of tennis )
As at most clubs. most players will expect a ’knock up’ ( especially on grass ) before playing. Hit with the opponent facing you, offer them a variety of shots to hit, and end up with serving diagonally.
At busy times, please limit the amount of time that you knock up, whilst still ensuring that all your muscles are warmed up.
During play
Conduct
In general, if possible, please don’t make so much noise as to disturb the players on adjacent courts.
Please don’t take your frustration out on the court or net by kicking or hitting with your racquet ( or partner !! ).
Please turn your mobile phone off unless it is imperative that it remains on, in which case please explain to your partner and opponents.
Line calls
Generally, call balls out at your end only, and be prepared to accept the call of your opponents at their end. If in doubt, or dispute, offer to replay the point. This is often called ’Play Two’, or ’Play a Let’.
Balls
Most people like to play with Four Balls. Try to get into the habit of having two balls about you when you serve, so that your opponents don’t have to wait in the event of you having to serve a second serve. If necessary, ask your partner to hold a ball for you, if you can’t serve and hold a ball at the same time, or don’t have a pocket. Importantly, if your first serve is good, don’t drop or throw the spare balls as this will unfairly distract your opponent, and also could be a hazard to you
For safety reasons, try to keep ’spare’ tennis balls either at the net, or at the far end of the court where they won’t get trodden on. ( A twisted ankle hurts ! believe us ! )
Keep track of your balls. They will go onto adjacent courts, but please wait for them to be returned by your neighbours, or if you need to retrieve them, wait until they have finished the point they are playing. Alternatively ask them to pass the balls to you, and be prepared to pass their balls back to them if asked.
Make a simple check of the number of balls that you have about you every few games – this is easier than waiting until the end of the set and then looking for them
Balls out of bounds
Unfortunately, there are several places where balls get lost in hedges, under fences etc. If you can, wait until the end of your game before retrieving them as this can be a distraction to other players.
Insects
In the summer evenings, you may like to spray yourself with insect spray when playing on the grass.
After play
Thank your opponents. Collect all you balls and belongings ( as mentioned above ) and leave the courts without too much fuss.
Teas
At around 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer months, it’s the custom to stop for a cup of tea. ( very British ! ) There is a rota of members who take turns to make the tea. When Tea is ready, there may be a bell rung ( or a tea tray rattled etc ).
A nominal fee can be charged for tea ( and cakes ) or sometimes, they may be provided for free ( On these occasions, some players make a small donation to the club funds )
The Bar
The Bar is open - weather permitting - in the summer evenings, ( from 7pm onwards I believe ), and weekend afternoons ( from 4pm I believe ) and many players will retire for a drink after playing, or between sets. Please don’t take glasses onto the courts though as broken glass on the courts would not be welcome. ( many players have their owns drinks bottles for this purpose )
In the winter, the bar is often open on a Friday evening – check with the web-site ( http://www.thamesditton.net ) for details of opening times and other year round social events, e.g. quiz nights and themed evenings.
On busy evenings, returning your glasses to the bar would help our bar staff. ( Thanks ! )
Fixed Fours
On Monday and Thursday evenings ( currently ) a system called ’Fixed Fours’ operates. This means that a group of four players remains as a fixed group for the evening’s play, rather than disbanding and mixing around after each set, which is the norm.
Please note though that:
- The group should be a complete ’Four’ before going on court ( Unless there is a spare court, and you wish to knock up. You will be asked to vacate the court though if a four becomes ready and they need a court )
- When you have completed your set, return to the clubhouse so that another four has the opportunity to play. Generally, you should return to the clubhouse even if you are unsure if a four is ready
Tennis Matches
There are annual club championships that are open to all ’full’ members. Entry, and the draws normally take place early in the season (May?), and the draw and results are posted on the notice board.
’Finals day’ is open to all, and members are encouraged to come along and watch the finals.
The club fields a number of teams for inter-club matches, both competitive and friendly. Full details are again on the notice board.
