Tennis: Individual & Wheelchair Championships 2025-26

Acceptances and first match times for all competitions will be published on the relevant event tab, either Qualifiers or Main Draw Finals on the Tennis page of the BUCS website.  

Acceptances for the Individual Championships Main Draw (after the completion of qualifying) can be viewed under 'Main Draw & Lucky Losers'. For those who are currently on the Lucky Loser List, you may be contacted in the run up to the event to offer you a space in Main Draw if one becomes available, however, this will be offered in order of priority as indicated by the list. Please reply promptly to either accept or decline your space, if you decline your space it will be offered to the next person on the Lucky Loser List.

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 & First 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 LTA Advantage Membership numbers*. 

* those with LTA Advantage Membership 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 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 Individual Championship Finals & Wheelchair Championships National Finals will be published after the completion of the qualifying events. 

To view our current Gender Eligibility resources please click here.

To view our Gender Eligibility regulations, please click here.

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 Individual Championships are conducted on a knockout basis. All matches throughout the competition will be the best of two tiebreak sets with a match tiebreak deciding third set.

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

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

                                         Women’s: Saturday 1^st round (not all players), Sunday 2^nd & 3^rd rounds

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

                                         Women’s: Saturday 1^st round (not all players), Sunday 2^nd & 3^rd rounds 

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

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

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

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

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

                                         Women’s: Saturday 1^st round (not all players), Sunday 2^nd & 3^rd rounds 

National Finals               Friday: 1^st round 

                                         Saturday: 2^nd round & Quarter Finals 

                                         Sunday: Semi Finals & Final

Please see REG 7.9 for our withdrawal policy 

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 (please see event guide) and Carl Baldwin: [email protected] (Tournament 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.

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 are a no show will be charged.

Due to the large number of entries, some competitors are initially placed on a reserves list. There are always a number of withdrawals at each qualifying event and it is expected that many reserves will eventually be accepted to the regional qualifying draw. 

Please note that the limit at each venue is the total number of players, not the specific size of each draw. Therefore, if, for example, there are no women’s reserves at a particular event, then a woman withdrawing enables the men’s draw size to be increased by one. It is, therefore, extremely important to withdraw prior to the creation of the draw (Thursday prior to the relevant qualifying event) if you are unable to play. On average, 8+ players per venue will withdraw, most during the week leading up to each event so reserves can be called up at short notice. It is the responsibility of any player initially listed as a reserve to keep checking the Tennis pages of the BUCS website to see if they have been moved into the draw as a result of a withdrawal (players will also be contacted by Sophie &/or Carl). The acceptance lists will be updated on a daily basis at a minimum.

FINES FOR WITHDRAWALS (Men’s and Women’s Qualifying & Main Draw Events) 

Withdrawal after 5pm on Friday the week prior to applicable qualifying event: £25 

e.g. withdrawal 5pm Friday 13 March for the Main draw £25 

• Thursday before qualifying/main draw event after 10am: £50 

• No shows on the day of the applicable qualifying/main draw event: £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.

FINES FOR WITHDRAWALS (WHEELCHAIR FINALS) 

• Withdrawal after 5pm on Friday 13 March: £20 

• Withdrawal after 3pm on Thursday 19 March: £50

• No shows on the day of the applicable event: £75

• If you withdraw after the 10 March, but prior to the 13 March you will still be charged the entry fee 

Competitors are requested to view the withdrawal terms for this event on the event webpage.

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. These will be updated periodically with further information about each venue.

Midlands Qualifier

The Nottingham Trent University Tennis Centre Guide for Visitors can be viewed here. A map of campus can be viewed here.

Car parking is available free of charge on Clifton Campus (NG11 8NS). Access Campus via the Main Gate and use the code (will be provided in event guide email) at the barrier for access through (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.

Scotland Qualifier

Information for getting to the university can be viewed here. Free parking is available on site, the car park locations can be viewed here.

Selections for main draw, qualifying draws and reserve lists will be published in January. 

At least 8 players will be selected directly for main draw for each of the men’s and women’s singles. Further players may be chosen according to the overall balance of players’ standings and the number of qualifiers to come forward. The main draws will each be 32 players in total. In each qualifying group the number of qualifiers will try to balance similar players being seeded across all groups while also maximising the number of players who can participate in the event – more qualifiers from a group means more players can be accepted in the draw. 

Criteria

Players will be ordered at the discretion of the referee and tournament director who will take into account all available information, including the following criteria: 

Players within the same institution are ordered by nominated team order, other than in exceptional circumstances, since BUCS regulations require that nominations are in bone fide playing order. 

(The exceptional circumstances could include a player achieving a World Ranking or other very strong results after the team order had been published.) 

Selection criteria for individuals is a combination of:  

• Current ATP/WTA world ranking  

• WTN 

• Previous world ranking (the higher the best rank) 

• Current ITF ranking  

• Previous ITF or junior ITF ranking  

• Higher national ranking  

• Known results  

• Team order 

Men’s & Women’s singles winner (as long as player registered with ITF as playing under GBR) to receive a qualifying wild card into a British M25/W35 event in 2026. Which event being at the discretion of the LTA Performance Team.

All institutions will be guaranteed at least one entry per event.  Additional entries will be accepted, subject to entry numbers, in order of merit. Players should be entered by the university in order of merit.  

To assist seeding and entry selection, players' entry information should include details of ATP/WTA/ITF Pro Tour/ITF Junior/Tennis Europe/significant home nation ranking, not local results.  

By entering the competition, the student is confirming that they are willing and able to compete.

All questions should in the first instance should be directed to your Institution Administrator and if needed should be communicated by an institution’s Athletic Union or Student Union staff member to:

Sophie Kitson

BUCS Tennis Programme Coordinator

Please follow this link to provide feedback about the event.

As a thank you you will be entered into a prize draw at the end of the term to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

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.

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) 

• We are beginning to track our carbon footprint across BUCS events to identify areas of improvement. 

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

• Be self-sufficient by bringing your own refillable bottles and coffee cups to reduce waste  

• Ensure you are disposing of waste correctly – Check around the venue for specific recycling and food waste bins  

• Travel smarter – as a team on a minibus, cycle or use public transport  

• Go paperless - use your phone for all event information 

BUCS’ mission is to provide exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite.

Critical to our success is our commitment to always providing safe, friendly and enjoyable environments for all participants. Whether competing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, working or spectating at these events, the welfare of all is critical to our mission.

To find out more or report a concern, please click here.

The below disclaimer is applied to all BUCS Events. By participating in BUCS Events you agree to the below.

BUCS will make every reasonable effort to ensure its events are run in safe environments. It is the responsibility of all BUCS member institutions and their student-athletes to consider any known medical conditions before entering or competing in a BUCS event.

If you know or are aware of a medical condition that might interfere with you exercising or participating safely, please consult a medical professional before participating.

It is in the interests of all event competitors to inspect the conditions of the competition area and it is entirely your decision to take part.

Please ensure you are fully conversant with the rules of the event. By entering the competition, this acts as the agreement that neither the organisers nor their agents, officials, volunteers, landowners, sponsors or fellow competitors shall be liable in any way or in any circumstances for any damage or injury suffered by the individual in connection with this event.

All participants assume full responsibility for any and all injuries, losses and damages that are incurred while participating in BUCS events.

By participating in the BUCS event, you agree:

• to abide by the rules of the competition and any additional event instructions;
• that you are participating entirely at your own risk; that you will participate in a manner that is safe;
• that any personal event equipment you use will be in good working order and properly maintained;
• to abide by the rules of the site; to accept that you will be liable for any damage caused (knowingly or otherwise);
• to behave in a manner that befits a national sporting event, and any misbehaviour may result in disciplinary action.

As part of the entry process, we collect mobile phone numbers to use in case of last-minute event changes/cancellations and to pass out key information. 

During the event various filming, photography and broadcasting may take place. By your presence at this event you grant your permission for your likeness and voice to be included in pictures and / or on film, and their advertising without compensation or credit.