Tennis: Individual Championships 2023-24

Acceptances and first match times for all competitions will be published on the relevant event page, either Singles Qualifiers or Singles Championships (Finals) on the Tennis page of the BUCS website.  

Acceptances for the Singles Championships Regional Qualifying are now published on the event webpage, under ‘Accepted Entries’.  

For players accepted into regional qualifying, the draws will be made on the Thursday prior to each regional qualifying event and published along with first match times on the Tennis page of the BUCS website by Friday morning at the latest under ‘Draws & Match Times’. This is to ensure that, as much as possible, we maintain accurate seeding, while players from the same institutions are split throughout the draws, after any withdrawals are received. Match information will also be sent to the players’ registered email addresses for those with British Tennis Membership (BTM) numbers*. 

* those with BTM are encouraged to check the contact information on their LTA profile is correct to ensure event information is sent to the appropriate address. 

The “Matches & Provisional Schedule” section below will give an approximate guide to the schedule for each event but the precise times should be checked as released. Any player who has not reported in person within 15 minutes of their match being called by the Tournament Referee may be scratched from the competition.  

Participation lists and first match times for the Singles Finals & Wheelchair Championships National Finals will be published after the completion of the qualifying events. 

On arrival, players should register with the Tournament Referee at the qualifying event venue. Any player who has not reported in person within 15 minutes of their match being called by the Tournament Referee may be scratched from the competition. 

All draws for the Singles Championships are conducted on a knockout basis. All matches throughout the competition will be the best of three sets. Matches prior to the final round of qualifying will be the best of two tiebreak sets with a match tiebreak deciding third set. Matches from the final round of qualifying onwards (i.e. main draw) will be the best of three tiebreak sets.

The planned schedule for each event is as follows (subject to change): 

South East Qualifier       Men’s: Saturday 1^st & 2^nd round, Sunday 3^rd & 4^th rounds 

                                         Women’s: Saturday 1^st round, Sunday 2^nd & 3^rd rounds 

Midlands Qualifier          Men’s: Saturday 1^st & 2^nd round, Sunday 3^rd & 4^th rounds 

                                         Women’s: Saturday 1^st round, Sunday 2^nd round

NOTE : for Midlands this will likely change with any more withdrawals, we are very close to be able to play the Women’s on Sunday only

Northern Qualifier          Men’s: Saturday 1^st & 2^nd rounds, Sunday 3^rd & 4^th rounds 

                                         Women’s: Sunday 1^st & 2^nd rounds

Western Qualifier           Men’s: Saturday 1^st & 2^nd rounds, Sunday 3^rd round 

                                         Women’s: Saturday 1^st round, Sunday 2^nd & 3^rd rounds  

Scotland Qualifier          Men’s: Saturday 1^st & 2^nd rounds, Sunday 3^rd round

                                         Women’s: Saturday 1^st round, Sunday 2^nd & 3^rd rounds 

National Finals               Friday: 1^st round 

                                         Saturday: 2^nd round & Quarter Finals 

                                         Sunday: Semi Final & Final 

All draws for the Singles Championships are conducted on a knockout basis. All qualifying rounds except for the final round of qualifying will be best of three sets with a match tie-break for the final set. The final round of qualifying and the main draw will be conducted on a three full tie break sets (a full third set).

Please see REG 7.9 for our withdrawal policy.

WITHDRAWALS – SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS REGIONAL QUALIFYING  

Any player unable to attend their regional qualifying event must inform Sophie Kitson (BUCS Tennis Programme Coordinator – [email protected]) as soon as possible, copying in their Athletic Union to ensure they are aware of the withdrawal.  

Any withdrawal later than the Monday prior to the relevant regional qualifying event must also be emailed to the relevant Tournament Referee (see table above) and Carl Baldwin: [email protected] (Event Director). Any withdrawal later than 09:00 am on the Friday prior to the relevant regional qualifying event must also be telephoned to the Tournament Referee (see table above).  

Withdrawals of entries offered a place (accepted) in the draw of a regional qualifying event are not eligible for a refund of their entry fee. This applies regardless of the reason for withdrawal. Reserves who withdraw before being offered a place will not be charged their entry fee but those who are offered a place and then withdraw or no show will be charged. 

Prior to the release of first match times, the Event Director may, where possible, also email the player directly using their BTM profile contact details to notify them of their acceptance to the draw. Therefore, those players with British Tennis Membership are strongly encouraged to check the contact information on their LTA profile is correct to ensure event information is sent to the appropriate address. In the rare case that a player is not registered for BTM, BUCS may attempt to contact the player’s Athletic Union directly. 

Players should not attend a qualifying event if they are not on the acceptance list or reserve list for that venue as they will not be permitted to play. 

WITHDRAWALS – NATIONAL FINALS 

Any player unable to attend must inform Sophie Kitson (BUCS Tennis Programme Coordinator – [email protected]) as soon as possible, copying in their Athletic Union to ensure they are aware of the withdrawal. 

Any withdrawal later than Tuesday 19 March 2024 must also be emailed to Ed Bradford (Tournament Referee – see contact table above) and Carl Baldwin: [email protected] (Event Director). Any withdrawal later than 16:00 pm on Thursday 21 March 2024must also be telephoned to the Tournament Referee (see above table). Withdrawals from National Finals are not eligible for a refund on the entry fee.  

For the National Finals, there will be no ‘lucky losers’ accepted on the day. If numbers drop below full draws then eligible lucky losers from regional qualifying events may be accepted in advance of the event. Players not in the final draw will not be eligible to compete under any circumstances.  

FINES FOR WITHDRAWALS – SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFYING 

• Withdrawal after 5pm on Friday the week prior to applicable qualifying event: £25  
• Withdrawal Wednesday after 3pm and Friday the week of the applicable qualifying event: £50 
• No shows on the day of the applicable qualifying event: £100

FINES FOR WITHDRAWALS – SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS NATIONAL FINALS 

• Withdrawal after 5pm Friday the week prior to event: £25 
• Withdrawal Wednesday after 3pm the week of event: £50
• No shows on the day: £100

Please note that you will still be charged the entry free. If you are injured you will need to provide a medical note to avoid the withdrawal fine as per REG 7.9.3. Competitors are requested to view the withdrawal terms for this event on the event webpage.

It is important for players in the National Finals main draw, either by direct acceptance or as a qualifier, to withdraw in good time if they need to do so, just as it is for the regional qualifying events. Please note that all Singles Championships players will compete in the first round on Friday 22 March 2024. 

1. All venue specific information will be available here on the event page in the lead up to the event, please ensure you have checked this and whether there any parking restrictions etc. at the venue you are attending.

South Eastern Qualifier

There is parking available by the Tennis Centre, additionally, the school car park can be used next to the venue.

Midlands Qualifier

The Nottingham Trent University Tennis Centre Guide for Visitors can be viewed here.

Car parking is available free of charge on Clifton Campus (NG11 8NS). Access Campus via the Main Gate barrier, there is an intercom if there are any issues. Parking is the next right, next to the cricket pitch, then it is a short (2 minute) walk to the tennis centre.

Northern Qualifier

Free parking on site.

Scotland Qualifier

Free parking is available on site, the car park locations can be viewed here.

Western Qualifier

Parking may be limited in the main car park and on street parking nearby may be required (parking is free on site and on street nearby).

Main Draw & Wheelchair Finals

Parking is available by the Tennis Centre, Weekdays are £4.20 all day and Weekends are £1.20 all day.

There may be some form of catering at the venues, however this is not controlled by the competition organisers. It is up to individuals to assess their catering options at venues, and if necessary, ensure they come prepared with adequate food and drink for the day (drinking water will be readily available as standard at the venues).

All questions should be communicated by an institution’s Athletic Union or Student Union staff member to: 

Sophie Kitson

BUCS Tennis Programme Coordinator

Anyone wishing to take photos or video at this event must complete the BUCS Media Accreditation Form prior to the event. 

BUCS reserves the right to prohibit photography equipment being used at a BUCS event. BUCS reserves the right to request that the individual ceases to take photographs, deletes any images and, if considered necessary, leaves the venue.

Please see Appendix 1 for the BUCS Points available at this event.

The sustainability of our event matters to us and these are the positive steps we are taking to manage our environmental impact:

• All staff and volunteers are encouraged to travel to the event via public transport
• We have used local suppliers where possible
• Event programmes are all online, minimising paper use
• We will print on demand merchandise (if applicable)

How can you help at this event? Here’s some ideas: 

• Be self-sufficient by using refillable bottles and coffee cups to reduce waste
• Travel smarter – as a team on a minibus, cycle or use public transport
• Go paperless - use your phone for all event information 
• Check out the Active Travel link on the local council website