UTT Format

3.1 General Format of play

3.1.1 Each Team shall play 5 Matches in a Tie with each Match comprising 3 Games. Consequently, each Tie shall comprise 15 Games.

3.1.2 Each Game shall have Players competing with each other to score 11 points first, meaning in the event that scores are level at 10-all then the 11th point will be a Golden Point and shall decide the winner. Whichever individual/pair scores 11 points and is termed as the winner of each Game shall receive 1 point towards the Team’s total for each such Game win.

3.1.3 The winning Team in a Tie shall be decided by the number of total Games won i.e. total team points won in the relevant Tie, meaning a Team that wins 8 or more Games out of the 15 Games shall be termed as the Winner of that respective Tie with variations for League Stage and Knock Out Stage as provided in Rule 3.2.3 and Rule 3.3.4.

3.1.4 The tentative order of play for each Tie is listed in the table below; however, this is subject to change by ESPL at its discretion based on broadcast requirement or other factors, as required. The order of play for a Tie may particularly be changed for the Knock Out Stage. The determination of whether a Team shall be Team A or Team B in a particular Tie shall be done by a toss of coin on the morning of the Tie, the exact time of which shall be communicated later to the Teams.

Order of Play for a Tie

3.1.5 No Player can play more than 2 Matches in a Tie, including the mixed doubles. For the sake of clarity, in case a Player is replaced, as provided in these Rules, the replacement Player for such injured Player can play only such number of Matches in a Tie such that the original Player and the replacement Player together play a maximum of 2 Matches in a Tie. For example, if the original Player gets injured after 1 Match, the replacement Player can only play in 1 other Match in the Tie.

3.1.6 No Player can play more than 1 singles Match in a Tie. However, the same Player can play the mixed doubles. For the sake of clarity, in case a Player is replaced, as provided in these Rules, the replacement Player can play only such number of singles Matches such that the original Player and the replacement Player for such injured Player together play a maximum of 1 singles Match. For example, if the original Player gets injured after 1 singles Match in a Tie, the replacement Player cannot play any other singles Match in that Tie.

3.1.7 No Player can play more than 1 singles Match in the semi-final Tie and 1 singles Match in the Final Tie. However, the same Player can play the mixed doubles. It is clarified that in case a Player is replaced, as provided in these Rules, the replacement Player for such injured Player can play only such number of Matches in a Tie such that the original Player and the replacement Player together play a maximum of 1 singles Match in the semi-final Tie and 1 singles Match in the Final Tie.

3.1.8 Each Team shall submit its Team Sheet listing the names of its Players competing in each individual Match, according to the order of play, by 90 minutes prior to the start of the Tie, in accordance with Rule 4.6.

3.1.9 Expedite System

1. Except as provided in 3.1.10(b), the expedite system shall come into operation after 10 minutes’ play in a Game or at any time when requested by both Players or pairs;
2. The expedite system shall not be introduced in a game if at least 18 points have been scored;
3. If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached and the expedite system is due to come into operation, play shall be interrupted by the Umpire and shall resume with service by the Player who served in the rally that was interrupted. If the ball is not in play when the expedite system comes into operation, play shall resume with service by the Player who received in the immediately preceding rally;
4. Thereafter, each Player shall serve for 1 point in turn until the end of the Game, and if the receiving Player or pair makes 13 correct returns in a rally, the receiver shall score a point.
5. Introduction of the expedite system shall not alter the order of serving and receiving in the Match.
6. Once introduced, the expedite system shall remain in operation until the end of the Match.

3.2 Competition format - League Stage

3.2.1 Unless otherwise determined by ESPL, the League Stage shall have all Teams competing with each other once during the Season.

3.2.2 The Team that wins 8 or more Games out of the 15 Games shall be the Winner of that respective Tie. This is relevant only to decide the position of Teams in the League Table in accordance with Rule 3.2.5 and Rule 3.2.6.

3.2.3 Teams shall play all the 5 Matches and 15 Games in a Tie even if one Team has secured the winning 8 Team points in a Tie in the League Stage as the team points won by winning each Game by a Team will be added to their overall tally and Teams’ rankings in the League Table will be decided on the total team points won by each Team in all League Stage Ties as the primary criteria.

3.2.4 The results of the League Stage shall be recorded in a table used to help determine who may advance to the Knock Out Stage (the “League Table”).

3.2.5 The position of Teams in the League Table while the League Stage are in progress shall be determined by (in this order):

1. most number of team points obtained in the League Stage;
2. most number of Ties won in the League Stage;
3. most number of Matches won in the League Stage;

3.2.6 However, the final position of Teams in the League Table (when all Teams have played all their League Stage Ties) shall be determined by (in this order):

1. most number of team points obtained in the League Stage;
   If two or more Teams are equal on the basis of the above criterion, their place shall be determined as follows:
2. most number of team points obtained in the League Stage between the Teams concerned;
3. most number of Matches won in the League Stage between the Teams concerned;
4. most number of Ties won in the League Stage;
5. most number of Matches won in the League Stage;
6. draw of lots by ESPL.

3.3 Competition Format - Knock Out Stage

3.3.1 After the completion of the scheduled League Stage, there shall be Knock Out Stage concluding in the Final, to determine the eventual winner of UTT in that Season. The top four Teams from the League Table in the Season will qualify for the Knock Out Stage.

3.3.2 The Knock Out Stage will comprise of two semi-finals between the first placed Team in the League Table playing the fourth placed Team and the second placed Team playing the third placed Team.

3.3.3 The victorious Team from each of the semi-final Ties in the Knock Out Stage shall compete in the Final to determine the UTT champions for the Season.

3.3.4 In the Knock Out Stage, the Team that wins 8 Games out of the 15 Games first shall be declared the winner of that respective Tie such that Teams will not be required to play all 5Matches and 15 Games in a Tie unless it is necessary to do so to have a winner.

3.3.5 Subject to Rule 3.8, if any of the semi-finals at the Knock Out Stage are cancelled/abandoned and cannot be played for some reason, the Team that finished higher in the League Table (having taken into account Rule 3.2) shall proceed to the Final.

3.3.6 Subject to Rule 3.8, if the Final is cancelled/abandoned and cannot be rescheduled and played for some reason, both Finalists shall be declared as joint-winners and there shall be no runner-up. The prize money shall be determined in accordance with Rule 3.9.3 (b).

3.4 Time Outs and Practice before start of Match

3.4.1 Players shall be allowed to practice on the Match table for up to 1 Minute immediately before the start of their Match but not during toweling breaks.

3.4.2 During an emergency suspension of play the Referee may allow Players to practice on the show court, if available and not required for other purposes by ESPL.

3.4.3 Play shall be continuous throughout a Match except:

1. A break of up to 15 seconds will be allowed for toweling after one of the Players or pairs reaches 5 points from the start of each Game. This will be the only break during the Game.
2. Other than the official toweling break mentioned in Rule 3.4.3 (a) above, a Player/pair can use the towel without the permission of the Umpire only when that Player/pair is serving and provided he abides by Rule 4.2.3.
3. There will be a break of 45 seconds after the end of each Game.
4. There will be a break of 3 minutes after the end of each Match.
5. The Referee after consulting the League Doctor may allow a suspension of play, of the shortest practical duration, and in no circumstances more than 10 minutes, if a Player is temporarily incapacitated by an accident, provided that in the opinion of the Referee the suspension is not likely to be unduly disadvantageous to the opposing Player/s.
6. If any of the Players competing in an ongoing Match is bleeding, play shall be suspended immediately and shall not resume until that Player has received medical treatment and all traces of blood have been removed from the Playing Area.
7. The Players playing in a particular Match shall remain in or near the Playing Area throughout a Match, except with the permission of the Referee.

3.5 The Order of Servicing, Receiving and Ends

3.5.1 The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving and ends shall be decided by a toss of coin before the start of each Match and the winner may choose to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end of the table.

3.5.2 When one Player or pair has chosen to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end, the other Player or pair shall have the other choice.

3.5.3 After every 2 points, the receiving Player or pair shall become the serving Player or pair and so on until the end of the Game, unless both Players or Pairs score 10 points or the expedite system is in operation. At 10-10 the sequence of serving and receiving shall be the same but the Player/Pair shall serve for the Golden Point. When the expedited system is in operation, the sequence of serving and receiving shall be the same, however each Player shall serve only for 1 point each.

3.5.4 In each Game of a mixed doubles Match, the pair having the right to serve first shall choose which one of them shall serve first and in the first Game of a Match, the receiving pair shall decide which of them shall receive first; in subsequent Games of the Match, the first server having been chosen, the first receiver shall be the Player who served to him in the preceding Game.

3.5.5 In a mixed doubles Match, at each change of service the previous receiver shall become the server and the partner of the previous server shall become the receiver.

3.5.6 The Player or pair serving first in a Game shall receive first in the next Game of the Match and in the last possible Game of a mixed doubles match the pair due to receive next shall change their order of receiving when first one pair scores 5 points.

3.5.7 The Player or pair starting at one end in a Game shall start at the other end in the next Game of the Match and in the last possible Game of a Match the Players or pairs shall change ends when first one Player or pair scores 5 points.

3.6 Opening/Closing Event and Opening Match

3.6.1 ESPL reserves the right to organize an event to mark the opening or closing of the UTT in the Season and, if it so organizes such an event, each person subject to these Rules shall co-operate with ESPL in connection with such event as may be requested by ESPL, including without limitation by attending such event. Any non-cooperation in this regard may expose such person to appropriate sanctions as ESPL may decide in its sole discretion.

3.6.2 ESPL also reserves the right to conduct a post-event presentation and award ceremony to reward the Finalists and other award winners and, if it so organizes such an event, each person subject to these Rules shall co-operate with ESPL in connection with such event as may be requested by ESPL including without limitation by attending such event. Any non-cooperation in this regard may expose such person to appropriate sanctions as ESPL may decide in its sole discretion.

3.7 Fixture List and start time for Ties

3.7.1 ESPL shall prepare the fixture list (detailing the dates and start time for Ties) in respect of the Season and its decision in this regard shall be final. ESPL may alter the fixture list at any time at its discretion if it considers it necessary to do so.

3.7.2 Ties will be played indoors with sufficient lights. For avoidance of doubt, in case of a partial failure of the lights, the Referee in consultation with the Competition Director shall decide whether the Match may continue. The Referee’s decision in such a case will be final.

3.8 Abandoned/Postponement of Ties

3.8.1 When the Referee does not start a Tie/Match or ends a Tie/Match before its completion, he shall inform the other Match Officials and the Coaches of both the Teams, giving the reasons for stopping or not playing the Tie/Match. The Referee shall also immediately inform the Competition Director and submit a written report to ESPL as soon as practicable, giving the reasons that compelled him to take the above steps.

3.8.2 If a Tie cannot commence due to any incident not directly or indirectly attributable to the participating Teams, including but not limited to Force Majeure (including power failure) the following procedure shall be followed:

(a) The Tie shall automatically be delayed for a duration of 30 minutes to allow conditions to improve sufficiently to start the Tie, unless the Referee decides that the Tie can commence earlier or has already decided that the Tie cannot be played/has to be abandoned;

(b) At the discretion of the Referee, the initial delay referred to in Rule 3.8.2 (a) above can be extended up to a maximum of two hours if in the relevant official’s opinion such extra period of delay will allow the Tie to commence. Otherwise, at the end of this maximum delay period of two hours, the Referee must declare the Tie to have been abandoned. The Referee’s decision in this regard shall be final but in exercising this discretion he shall be obliged to act in accordance with any constraints or other obligations imposed on ESPL such as a time restriction imposed by a relevant Venue, if any;

(c) In circumstances where it has not been possible to play a Tie even after the initial and further delays as prescribed under Rule 3.8.2 (a) or Rule 3.8.2 (b) above, ESPL may, in its absolute discretion and taking account of any relevant considerations such as scheduling, sporting or other organizational issues decide: (A) to order such abandoned Tie to be played at the earliest possible date and time provided this can be done, or (B) in the event it is not (due to scheduling, sporting or other organizational issues) possible to order the playing of the abandoned Tie under (A) of this Rule 3.8.2 (c), in which case, ESPL will determine the result of the abandoned Tie in accordance with the following:

(i) if the said Tie is in the League Stage, the 15 team points shall be split equally between both Teams such that each Team shall get 7.5 team points each;

(ii) if the said Tie is at the Knock Out Stage, Rule 3.3.5 shall apply in case of a semi-final and Rule 3.3.6 shall apply in case it is the Final, to determine the winner.

3.8.3 The outcome of any Tie, which is abandoned in the middle of play or not played at all /cancelled due to reasons which can be directly or indirectly attributed to one or both the participating Teams, will be decided by ESPL (including the possible completion or rescheduling of such Tie in accordance with Rules 3.8.2 and 3.8.4), with the following being applicable:

(a) If a Team does not report for a Tie, except in cases of Force-Majeure situation recognized by ESPL, or if it refuses to continue to play or leaves the Playing Area and Team Box before the end of the Tie despite the Referee’s decision to continue to play, or, if in the opinion of the Referee, the Match cannot be continued due to the behavior of a Team or any other reason attributable to the Team, the relevant Franchisee shall:

(i) be considered to be in breach of these Rules and Regulations;

(ii) have the relevant Tie forfeited by a score of 9-0 unless the Team which was not at fault for the abandonment of the Tie was already winning the Tie by a higher score in which case the actual team points for that Team shall stand while the defaulting Team’s team points shall be reduced to zero;

(iii) be required to pay compensation for any and all damages or losses suffered by the opponent Franchisee and its Franchisee Partners, ESPL, UTT and League Partners. The amount of compensation will be determined by the Disciplinary Committee; and

(iv) notwithstanding any penal action otherwise provided in any other Regulation, be liable for an additional fine, deduction of team points and/or suspension by the Disciplinary Committee from taking any further part in UTT, depending on the gravity of the incident.

(b) The decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall be final and binding.

3.8.4 If a Tie is stopped by the Referee before the end of such Match due to Force Majeure the following procedure shall be followed:

(a) The Tie is automatically suspended for a duration of 30 minutes to allow conditions to improve sufficiently to restart the Match, unless the Referee decides that the Match can be resumed earlier;

(b) at the discretion of the Referee, this initial suspension referred to in (a) above can be extended up to a maximum of two hours if in the Referee’s opinion this extra period of suspension will allow the Tie to be resumed. If the Tie resumes within the said two hours after having been suspended for certain duration, the Referee shall allow the relevant Players up to one minute of practice before their Match commences. Otherwise, at the end of this maximum suspension period of two hours, the Referee must declare the Match to have been abandoned for that day and the procedure in Rule 3.8.4(c) below shall apply. The Referee’s decision in this regard shall be final but in exercising this discretion he shall be obliged to act in accordance with any constraints or other obligations imposed on ESPL such as a time restriction imposed by a relevant Venue, if any;

(c) in circumstances where it has not been possible to complete a Tie under Rule 3.8.4(a) and Rule 3.8.4 (b) above, ESPL may, in its absolute discretion and taking account of any relevant considerations such as scheduling, sporting or other organizational issues decide (A) to order the part of such Tie which has not been completed to be played at an earliest possible date and time, provided this can be done, or (B) in the event it is not (due to scheduling, sporting or other organizational issues) possible to order the remainder of the abandoned Tie to be completed under (A) of this Rule 3.8.4 (c) in which case ESPL will determine the result of the abandoned Tie in accordance with the following:

(i) if the said Tie is in the League Stage, the score at the time of the abandonment shall be taken into account (only for the completed Games) while the remaining team points shall be split between both Teams (for example: the Tie gets abandoned with Team A at 7 team points and Team B at 3 team points such that the score reads 7-3 at the time of abandonment. With a total of 10 team points already having been played, the remaining 5 team points of the total 15 team points to be won in a Tie shall be split equally between Team A and B such that the final score for Team A will be 7 + 2.5 = 9.5 team points and the score for Team B will be 3 + 2.5 = 5.5 team points; whereas

(ii) if the said Tie is at the Knock Out Stage, Rule 3.3.5 shall apply in case of a semi-final and Rule 3.3.6 shall apply in case it is the Final, to determine the winner.

3.8.5 In case of an abandoned Tie, where under Rule 3.8.4 only the part of the Tie, which has not been completed, is ordered to be played at an earliest possible date, the following principles shall apply:

1. The Tie and Match shall recommence at the score at which play was interrupted;
2. The Tie shall recommence with the same Players playing the Match when the Match was abandoned;
3. The Tie shall continue with the same order of play and Players as was decided on the day the Tie was abandoned, unless ESPL decides otherwise;
4. Any sanction imposed before the Tie was abandoned shall remain valid for the remainder of the Tie.

3.8.6 No appeal may be lodged against decisions under Rules 3.8.2, 3.8.3, 3.8.4 and 3.8.5.

3.8.7 ESPL is not obliged to broadcast a Tie which is to be completed or is rescheduled for a date other than the original scheduled date. Neither is ESPL obliged to broadcast the complete Tie in case a Tie is completed on the same day as the original scheduled date after a long delay or interruption such that the Tie goes beyond the time committed by the broadcaster to ESPL.

3.9 Trophy, medals and prize money

3.9.1 A person designated by ESPL will present the winner of the Final with the UTT trophy.

3.9.2 Medals will be presented to each of the Finalists, i.e. to the winners and to the runners-up of UTT.

3.9.3 Prize Money

1. ESPL will in respect of the Season determine the amount of a total prize fund (being the Prize Money) which will be distributed between the Teams participating in the Knock Out Stage in that Season. For the Season (until such time as ESPL decides otherwise) the total amount of the Prize Money shall be INR 2 crore (Rupees two crore) and shall be allocated as follows:

   Prize Money Allocation	(INR)
   Final Winner	75 lakh
   Runner-up (loser of the Final)	50 lakh
   Loser of each semi-final in the Knock Out Stage	25 lakh
   Other Individual Award Winners (total purse)	25 lakh

2. In the event that there is a joint-winner of UTT in a Season in accordance with Rule 3.3.6, the prize money allocated for the Final Winner and the Runner-up shall be combined and then split equally between the two Finalists (INR 75 lakh + INR 50 lakh = INR 1 crore 25 lakh divided by 2). In such a case, both Finalists shall receive INR 62 lakh 50 thousand each.