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Slogan "Color Your Game", 2026 Summer Ladder. Header image for the Rainbow Singles Challenge. Pink purplish tennis ball in front of a lighter pink purplish background.

Rainbow Singles Challenge

Get ready to play, improve, and connect this summer! The Rainbow Singles Challenge is a fun, flexible ladder designed for adult LGBTQ+ beginner players (2.5 level and below) looking to build confidence and enjoy some friendly competition.

 

Although the Singles Challenge is open to all, Rainbow Rackets Members receive 60% off the participation fee.  Learn more about Rainbow Rackets Membership Benefits

 

Eligibility & Registration

  • Who Can Play: Anyone 18 or older

  • Registration: After registering, an email invite will be sent to join the ladder hosted on Global Tennis Network

  • Rolling Admission: Join at any point during the season

 

Season Structure

  • Season Dates: April 24, 2026 - September 7, 2026

  • Weekly Match Limit: Up to 3 matches per week count toward standings.

  • Weekly Window: Each playing week runs Sunday → Saturday.

  • Playoffs: Top 8 players will qualify for September playoffs to determine the champions

    • In the event of ties, head-to-head records will be used to break the ties. If head-to-head records also result in ties then total games won/lost over the season will be used to break the ties.​

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How It Works

  • Challenge anyone on the ladder — no ranking restrictions

  • Coordinate match time and location directly with your opponent

  • Play on your schedule, anywhere that works for both of you

  • Earn points for playing, winning, and even losing matches.

  • To play on NYC public courts, you will need a tennis parks permit.  You can get one through the NYC Parks website or at Paragon Sports.  You can also reserve court time through the NYC Park website. 

 

Match Play & Format

  • How Matches Work: Coordinate with opponents, agree on time/place/format, play, then log scores online

  • Flexible Match Formats (because public courts keep everyone humble)

    • One Pro-Set  (tiebreak at 7–7)

      • Best of 8 games, 7 point tiebreak, win by 2

      • Example scoring: 8-2

      • Example with tie break, 8-7

    • Best of 3 sets (with full third set)

      • Best of 6 games per set, must win 2 out of 3 sets

      • Each set: win by 2 games, 7-point tiebreak at 6–6, win by 2

      • Third set: played fully (same rules)

      • Example scoring: 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 

    • Three-Set Match (10-Point tiebreak in lieu of third set)

      • Best of 6 games per set, must win 2 out of 3 sets

      • Each set: win by 2 games, 7-point tiebreak at 6-6, win by 2

      • Third set: 10-point match tiebreak, win by 2

      • Example scoring: 6-4, 4-6, 1-0

 

Key Rules

  • A “week” runs Sunday through Saturday

  • Maximum of 3 matches per week (no minimum)

  • You must play at least 2 different opponents before a rematch

  • You may play the same opponent a maximum of 3 times total all season

  • You can challenge anyone, regardless of ranking

  • The challenger brings a new can of balls

 

Match Reporting & Logistics

  • The winner submits the score (unless agreed otherwise)

  • All scores must be submitted within 48 hours

  • Matches must be recorded on the actual date played — no pre-dating, post-dating, or creative storytelling

  • Interrupted matches: If a match is stopped (weather, darkness, court drama, etc.), record the score and finish it within two weeks. Submit the score only once the match is completed.

  • Matches that don’t follow ladder rules may be disqualified

  • Forfeits: When a player forfeits their match, their opponent should inform the ladder captains by email to SinglesChallenge@rainbowrackets.org or via WhatsApp. A player forfeits their match in any of the following circumstances:

    • The player does not show up at all for their scheduled match​.
    • The player arrives later than 15 minutes from the scheduled start of their match.
    • The player arrives later than the allowed time for keeping the court reservation.
      Example: Central Park requires both players to check-in 15 minutes prior to playing or they lose the court. The player who shows up only 5 minutes prior will cause them to lose the court. That player has forfeited.​​​​

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What Counts (and What Doesn’t)

  • Ladder matches must be scheduled and played specifically for the ladder

  • Matches from outside events (e.g. USTA, Liberty Open, other tournaments or leagues, etc.) cannot be counted

 

Levels & Placement

  • Levels: Beginner up to USTA 2.5 level.

  • USTA Levels Explained

    • 1.0: Never played before

    • 1.5: Played a few times; have no experience in playing competitively

    • 2.0: Can sustain a 4-shot rally; Have little or no competition experience

    • 2.5: Can sustain a 8-shot rally; Have limited competition experience

    • 3.0: Can sustain long rallies with consistently hit medium paced shots

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How to Get Started

  1. Register and pay here

  2. After successful registration, you will receive instructions on how to setup your Global Tennis Network (GTN) account to track ladder scores.

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That’s it. You’re on the ladder.

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Using Global Tennis Network (GTN)

GTN is the platform used to manage the ladder. There is no additional cost to use the GTN platform (your Rainbow Rackets registration fee covers the cost of using the platform).

You’ll use GTN to:

  • Join the Rainbow Rackets Summer Ladder

  • Find and challenge opponents (or use the Summer Ladder WhatsApp group)

  • Track rankings and match history

  • Submit scores and manage your profile

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Communication & Coordination

  • WhatsApp group for communicating for match setup

  • Global Tennis Network messaging (for those with patience and strong follow-up skills)

  • For more details, visit the Rainbow Rackets Singles Challenge page

 

Questions?

Co-Captains

David Reid and Radim Pospisil

SinglesChallenge@rainbowrackets.org

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