ELITE PADEL  

Rules & Regulations

CHAPTER I: GENERAL

ELITE PADEL is a continuous international padel circuit. The main objective of this circuit is to promote the growth of Padel around the world for all players regardless of their level. EP promotes padel and the healthy and necessary competition, while also providing a pleasant experience for players and spectators of this sporting event.

TOURNAMENT SCHEME

The scheme of all competitions of the ELITE PADEL will be implemented under the direct elimination competition modality. The circuit is segmented into 3 types of competitions, which are named Master, Open, and Master Final. 

MASTER: These editions will award the following points in the ranking:

• Champion: 1,700 points
• Finalist: 1,020
• Semifinalist: 610
• 1/4 final: 310
• 1/8 final: 150
• 1/16 final: 70
• 1/32 final: 35
• 1/64 final: 18
• 1/128 final: 13

OPEN: These editions will award the following points in the ranking:

• Champion Round: 1,000 points
• Final: 600
• Semifinal: 360
• 1/4 Final: 180
• 1/8 Final: 90
• 1/16 Final: 40
• 1/32 Final: 20
• 1/64 Final: 10

MASTER FINAL: This edition will only have the opportunity to be played by the top 16 players in the ranking in each category and will award the following points:

• Champion: 1,300 points
• Finalist: 780
• Semifinalist: 470
• 1/4 final: 235

CATEGORIES:

• 1st category male
• 2nd category male
• 3rd category male
• 4th category male
• 5th category male
• 6th category male
• 7th category male
• Category +50 Advanced and Initiation
• 1st category female
• 2nd category female
• 3rd category female
• 4th category female
• 5th category female
• Junior (12-15 years old)

TOURNAMENT ACCEPTANCE

The Sports Committe of ELITE PADEL may change players of category based on a technical evaluation criteria based on the participation of said player in previous tournaments of the circuit or other competitions and/or in other disciplines.

Registration, Eligibility, Complains, or Disqualification Policies by Categories:

1. Players must register in the category corresponding to their score in the EPT Ranking or their personal official ranking. Only players who request a change of category to the organization, and it is approved, will be exempt from this policy.
2. Registration verification: The organization SC verifies player's information and history with federations and tournaments and has the right to reject or disqualify players for providing false information or registering in an incorrect category.
3. It is the responsibility of the players to seek advice and contact the EP SC if they have doubts about their sports history and the correct category that corresponds to them to play in a EP.
4. Regulations for Players from Other Racket Sports. These regulations apply specifically to players who do not currently have ranking points within the ELITE PADEL (EP).

To ensure fair competition, players with established rankings in Tennis or Beach Tennis will be placed in comparable Padel categories as follows:

1. Tennis Players:
   1. 2nd Category Tennis player must play at least 2nd Category in Padel.
   2. 3rd Category Tennis player must play at least 3rd Category in Padel.
   3. 4th Category Tennis player must play at least 4th Category in Padel.
   4. 5th Category Tennis player must play at least 5th Category in Padel.
2. Beach Tennis Players:
   1. 2nd Category Beach Tennis player must play at least 2nd Category in Padel.
   2. 3rd Category Beach Tennis player must play at least 3rd Category in Padel.
   3. 4th Category Beach Tennis player must play at least 4th Category in Padel.
   4. 5th Category Beach Tennis player must play at least 5th Category in Padel.
3. No player with a sports history in racket sports, for example: Tennis or Beach Tennis, can participate in the initiation categories of the EP.
4. Padel or Beach Tennis teachers/coaches are barred from initiation categories. Players with prior experience in racket sports may be placed in higher Padel categories.
5. Claim procedures: Players can make formal claims against those registering in lower categories via email to the EP Sports Committe. The SP will evaluate and take the necessary actions depending on each case. Disqualified players are not entitled to a refund of the registration fee.
6. To formalize in-person complains or argue a reconsideration for a disqualification complain, only the pair in question may attend the SC table. If the pair or one of the players is underage, the father and mother or one representative may be present.
7. Consequences of disqualification: Entire pairs can be disqualified if one player is registered in an incorrect category. Disqualified pairs cannot re-enter the tournament draw.
8. If a pair loses against a pair that is disqualified under EP SP criteria, the pair that lost can only enter the draw again if they are in the first round of the tournament.
9. Player conduct: Respect for EP staff is mandatory, and unsportsmanlike behavior will result in penalties.
10. Category movement for initiation: Champions of initiation categories automatically move up, to the next tournament. 
11. Category movement to lower categories: Players may move down a category automatically, after losing two times in two different EP tournaments in one season. 
12. Schedule changes: Players acknowledge that the tournament's SC may modify the game schedule.

GAME FORMAT

The game format will be 2 out of 3 sets with a tie-break at 6-6. The third set will be defined in a super tie-break throughout the tournament, except for the finals of all categories in which the 3rd set will be played. The Pro, 1st male, and 1st female categories will be the only ones that will play a 3rd set in all competitions.

All categories will play with the golden point format. Except for the Pro category, which will adopt the deuce format defined by the FIP.

PUNCTUALITY:

Matches are played without delay at the announced game times. The game schedule will be published in advance, and it is the player's obligation to be informed of it. In case of not being able to show up on time for a match at the established times, the pair will have a maximum of 15 minutes to arrive, otherwise, they will lose the match 6/0 - 6/0 by W.O (Walk Over). A match cannot begin if both players of the pair are not on the court.

Here is the English translation of the selected text:

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Upon registering, players agree that they may play at any time between 5:45 pm to 11 pm Thursday and Friday, 1pm until 11 pm Saturday and Sunday within the established tournament dates. There will be no option for any change of schedule in the established matches unless it is an emergency situation, and it must be notified, justified, and approved by the SC. In turn, the organization may make the decision to change the established match schedules as long as it is notified with sufficient time.

WARM-UP

The courtesy warm-up with the opponents will be 5 minutes and mandatory.

COACHING

One (1) coach per pair will be allowed and must be announced at the SC table before the match.

ARBITRATION

Matches will be arbitrated by the same pairs. In the event of a dispute or a doubtful point, the organization recommends repeating the point, and if it is repeated on several occasions, the court coordinator will have the power to call the SC and request a  “referee” certified by the EP for the match.

Only the Main Referee of the Tournament and Director of the SC may make the decision on a point after consulting with the court coordinator if the point is clearly good or clearly bad.

The public should not intervene in any decision of the game. The players themselves are the ones who must agree or, in the case of requesting the Main Referee, he/she will have the final decision.

At the request of the players or by decision of the organization, a referee may be assigned to those matches that the SC considers during a Tie Break or Super Tie Break.

FORCE MAJEURE

The organization of the EP may suspend or postpone the date of the TOURNAMENT due to reasons of unforeseen circumstances and/or force majeure, such as the weather. In this way, the organization will evaluate the possible options to distribute the delayed game schedules based on the availability for the development of those matches and will make the decision it deems most appropriate. Under this and any other circumstance, there will be no selection of schedules at the convenience of the players.

RULES OF THE GAME

The technical rules of the game will be those established by the Regulations of the International Padel Federation:https://www.padelfip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/6-NORMATIVA-TORNEOS-INTERNACIONALS-FIP-TOUR-nueva-2023.pdf

INJURY

ELITE PADEL  is not responsible for any injury that may occur during the tournament matches, and each participant's private insurance is responsible for covering any related costs. 

BAD WEATHER

In case of rain or any weather change, EP is the only entity that can make the decision to suspend the day's matches after assessing the condition of the courts and the weather conditions. The organization will notify the pairs of the final decision 1 hour before the game starts. For any unforeseen event that arises in the tournament, the Organization will make the decision it deems appropriate.

ATTIRE

The player must present themselves to play in appropriate sports clothing and footwear, sleeveless shirts or swimwear are not allowed. If this is not met, they will be warned of the infraction and must correct it; if they do not, the game will be forfeited. It is recommended that players wear the same color shirt, although it is not mandatory.

The Pro, 1st Men's, and 1st Women's categories are required to wear the same color shirt for each of their matches.

CHAPTER II

INFRINGEMENTS OF THE RULES OF THE GAME AND GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

1. Actions or omissions during the course of a game or competition that violate, impede, or disrupt its normal development will be considered infringements of the rules of the game or competition.
2. All other actions or omissions, whether or not committed during a match or competition, that are contrary to the provisions of the VPT Regulations and any other VPT provision will be considered infringements of the general sports regulations.
3. Infringements will be attributable to those who commit them intentionally or negligently.

INFRACTIONS:

a) The following items will be considered very serious infractions of the rules of the game or competition, or of the general sports regulations:

Aggressive and/or unsportsmanlike behaviors, attitudes, and/or gestures of particular severity when directed towards players or athletes, the judge-umpire, umpire, staff, spectators, or organizers.

b) Threats and coercion of players/athletes, the judge-umpire or athletes, umpire, technicians, spectators, organizers, members of VPT, or any person related to the tournament or competition, in connection with the development of the tournament or competition or during them.

c) The withdrawal of a pair from matches without prior approval from the court coordinator or, failing that, from the technical table, will result in the elimination of the withdrawing pair.

d) Improper participation, understood as the impersonation of the identity of one of the members of the pair.

e) Entering the court without the appropriate sports attire.

f) Players must at all times behave in a sportingly correct manner, avoiding any action that goes against the sporting spirit, or of the competition or, in general, of respect for the established rules or fair play. Racism is not tolerated and will be sanctioned.

g) Non-compliance with the three (3) minutes allocated for medical attention. The time will begin to be counted once said medical service has arrived at the court to provide attention to the corresponding player.

SANCTIONS

The organizing committee of the EP is solely responsible for defining and implementing the following sanctions:

1) PENALTY TABLE

First infraction: 1st Warning

Second infraction: 2nd Warning

Third infraction: Warning with point deduction.

Fourth infraction: Disqualification from the tournament.

2) DIRECT DISQUALIFICATION

In the case of a very serious infraction (very serious physical or verbal aggression), the Head/director/Judge of the SC or the organizing committee may determine the immediate disqualification of the player who committed the offence. If the disqualification falls upon a player who is playing a match, they lose the match and the disqualified player will not have the right to participate in the next 2 editions.

ACCEPTANCE

Playing in the tournament implies knowledge and compliance with this document. Ignorance of these regulations does not excuse non-compliance.

ELITE PADEL SPORTS COMMITTEE