The Karura Tennis Ladder provides an avenue for players seeking competitive matches around their busy schedules while connecting with other tennis players. Players are ranked based on their ability and battle their way to the top by challenging players above them in the rankings.
New players are placed at the bottom of the Ladder and must work their way up. Players can challenge up to 7 spots ahead of them; if they win against a higher-ranked player, they take the opponent's spot.
The ladder utilizes an online ladder application system (I tennis Ladder) to be able to manage and keep records of the scores etc. After signing up for the ladder, players will be invited by a special mail link to sign up and join the ladder where they can access the list of other players, rules of play and raise challenges. Challenges raised against a player are sent via mail and players have upto 7 days to accept or decline the challenges. Game scores are registered by the players and approved by an admin to realign the ladder rankings. Ladder matches can be played on any day at any court and at own time as agreed between the players.
Each season has 5, 1-month, rounds.
To get to the top, you need to collect points by playing matches. The player with the most points at the end of the year becomes the year's Champion. Players can play a maximum of 4 matches in a round.
Points are awarded as follows:
| EVENT | WINNER | LOSER |
|---|---|---|
| Match played | +5 points | +2 points |
| Match forfeited | +3 points | +1 point |
| Walkover | +3 points | -1 point |
| Inactivity in a round | -2 points |
At the start of each round, all players get 2 proposed optional challenges against opponents of similar level to them.
In addition to these 2 proposed challenges, players can challenge anyone, above or below them, in the ladder. All challenges have to be announced in the ladder WhatsApp group before playing for them to be valid. Players cannot challenge or play any player more than once in a round.
Challenges accepted have to be played by the subsequent round of the same season they are accepted; else one player has to give a walkover.
Matches can be played from any court of choice and at any time. These preferences are to be agreed between the players.
Matches are self-umpired and players are expected to conduct matches in the spirit of fair play.
Matches are best of 3 sets, unless otherwise agreed between the players. However, matches have to be minimum 1 set.
Sets are won with 6 games, and a difference of 2 games. 7-point tiebreaks are allowed at 6-6.
After playing a match, the winner reports back the scores in the ladder WhatsApp group.
After a round, the top climbers grace our WhatsApp group profile picture in the subsequent round.
A ladder fees of Ksh 2,500 per player per year applies to players interested in joining the ladder. Players must first make payments via Mpesa to Club Treasurer Mr. Ephraim via Mpesa Send Money to Phone Number +254724833084 and share the payment confirmation message, Full names and Email Address to the club ladder coordinator Mr. Kevin on phone number +254705565542 to be added to the Ladder.