Tournament Format Explained

This year's tournament sees some similar features from previous years' tournament.

Each function sends two teams, each goes into either the Premier (more serious) League and the Super League. Each team plays four mens' doubles, two mixed doubles and one ladies' double games. The point difference between points scored and points conceeded are recorded and they are termed 'brutal factors'.

A few changes have been made for this year's tournament. All sets are played on the 21-point scoring system and all games are played to the best of three sets. For each game played, the winner of the game will get three points and the losers will get one point. For any games conceded because of walk-over, the winner will get three points and the losers will get no points. For a 'walk-over' game, the winner will not get any 'points scored'. This system is devised so that all seven games are played. If a team were to win the first four games and would not play the remaining three games, the team would eventually lose to the opponent (see the example below). The number of games a player can play is also restricted. Any one player can play a maximum of two games, one of which must be a mixed double game.

This year also sees the introduction of Challenge Trophies for the Champions of each League. These Challenge Trophies will be kept by the Champions for the whole year before returning them before the next tournament.

Champions for each league are determined by the league standing from the points scored from games won.

Example of scoring system:
1. Let say Team A plays Team B. Team A wins five games and lost 2 games.
Therefore, Team A scores 17 points (from 5 wins, i.e. 3 x 5, and 2 losses, i.e. 1 x 1); and Team B scores 11 points (from 2 wins, i.e. 3 x 2, and 5 losses, i.e. 1 x 5).

2. Let say Team C plays Team D. Team C wins 4 games, but conceded the remaining 3 games by walkover to Team D.
Therefore, Team C scores 12 points (from 4 wins, i.e. 3 x 4); and team D scored 13 points (from 3 wins, i.e. 3 x 3, and 4 losses, i.e 1 x 4).

It can be seen from above that it is important for the teams to play all seven games in their matches.

The league standing from the above matches would be:
Team A - 17 points
Team D - 13 points
Team C - 12 points
team B - 11 points.

If the tournament ends, Team A would be declared the Champions.