Friendly, competitive tennis on Christchurch Park, Ipswich's public courts
You are just a step away from joining our mixed-sex, singles league for men and women (aged 18+) of all standards.
If you have been meaning to get back into tennis or would like to meet new people to play, why not give it a go!
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This is how it works:
- Players are organised into groups of between 5 to 9 people of a similar standard
- It is a mixed sex, singles league, so men and women play each other
- Groups are put together by standard and there can be any combination of men and women in a group (we do not guarantee a balance of men and women and you could be the only man in a group of women or vice versa!)
- Contact details are emailed and posted to each player's account page
- Players arrange their own matches
- You can play on any court that suits both players
The league is:
- For everyone over the age of 18
- We welcome beginners as well as advanced players.
- Don't worry that you won't be good enough - playing matches is the best way to improve, and we use an online questionnaire to assess people's ability so you play only people of a roughly similar level
- Affiliated to the LTA For adults aged 18 years and above
Key points
- Matches are best of three sets; if a set reaches 6 games all it is decided by a tiebreak
- The evening before the round starts you will receive an email with all the contact details of the players in your group. Contact details are also posted to your Account Page
- Players are placed in groups according to past performance in the league and, for new players, their Player Standard Questionnaire
- Each player attempts to play each of the other player on their group once during the round
- A point is awarded for each set won
- If you complete three matches before the midpoint of a round you receive 2 bonus points and a bonus prize (either a pair of Local Tennis Leagues dampeners, or a tube of tennis balls)
- The winner of the group is the player with the most points at the end of the round
- The winner of the group wins a voucher for £20 to be spent in the Local Tennis League online shop. A winner's certificate is also posted to the winner's Account Page as a PDF file.
- Where possible, winners of groups are promoted to the group above for the next round.
See here for the complete rules and regulations
Getting started
New players will need to complete the player questionnaire before they can join a round. Once you’ve signed up, and for returning players you can join any of the upcoming rounds above.
For everything you need to know before you get started see the FAQs and review the Rules and Regulations, which all players agree to adhere to when playing in the leagues.
If there is anything else you need help with get in contact with Nigel, Sally and the team who will be happy to help!
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Primary Venues
Other Venues
Gainsborough Sports and Community Centre
Northgate Sports Centre
Old Felixstowe Community Centre
Copleston Sports Centre
Maidenhall Sports Centre
Murray Road Recreation Park
Club Venues
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Collapse AllChristchurch Park, Ipswich Singles - Round 34 | Thursday 9 January 2020 to Wednesday 4 March 2020 (Midpoint: Wednesday 5 February 2020)
A good round in Ipswich with a very impressive three quarters of all possible matches played - and that's despite some tennis unfriendly weather! Many thanks for all the efforts in getting these matches played and here's hoping for sun next round!
Group Summary:
A brilliantly competitive group, played in great spirits with a close contest between Marcus and Matthew, great returning from Xin, Stuart putting up fantastic defensive and Avery and Daniel tying on points at the top of the group! That means it all came down to the head to head with Avery emerging as group champ this time. Very well played all.
Final Rankings:
- Avery Jackson 7.1 [W4, L1] 10 includes 2 bonus points WINNER
- Daniel Peck [W4, L1] 10 includes 2 bonus points RUNNER UP
- Marcus Sheaff [W3, L1] 6
- Matthew Last [W1, L3] 4
- Stuart Horrex 8.2 [W1, L4] 3
- Xin Chen 7.2 [L3]
Match Results:
Player Comments:
- "Considering the very windy conditions with the ball flying in all directions we managed to have quite a few good long rallies. Daniel started the more consistent in the first set but Stuart really picked his game up in the 2nd taking a 1-0 then 2-1 lead. Daniel then won a few games on the bounce to lead 4-2 only for Stuart to make it a close end to the set winning the next. Daniel saw through the last 2 close games to take the win in a more competitive match than scores suggest. " -- Daniel
Player Comments:
- "Without stuffing painkillers or anything else or much icing, I recovered from real injuries carried into my last match from my match with avery to keep my arrangement with matt. As in my last match of identical duration, this was our fifth meeting. Like the previous four, this was closely contested and played at a high level from start to finish. Each of us played slightly better in streaks with Matt getting out of the traps like a March hare, getting to 4-0 and it looked like set 1 was in his bag. I had to execute difficult winners close to to lines with precision which is what was required to break through Matt's dogged defence. The momentum swung back Matt's way in set 2. Set 3 was even at 3-3 but the tortoise finished ahead of the hare." -- Marcus
Player Comments:
- "Decided best place to play was CCP with the weather a bit iffy, this was a good move as it gave us good shelter from the wind. 1st set was a very competitive long one with both players hitting good shots and trading games/breaks of serves, many games going all the way, Stuart played an aggressive goof tie break to command it and take the set. 2nd set Stuart continued with his good form moving Xin around the court and importantly returning serve very well which was probably the telling factor in the result. Great game played in good spirit, thanks. " -- Stuart
Player Comments:
- "Great couple of sets played in a great spirit. Most of the match followed the bizarre pattern of each player winning two games in a row which saw me see out a tight first set 6v4. Second set followed the same format until I til ruined it by winning three in a row only for Stuart to dig deep and string together a series of impressive games to level the set at 5v5. 11th game of the set finally saw me get a passing shot passed Stuart who had been a brick wall all game at the net bouncing back all volleys with interest. This plus abit of help from another lucky net cord (only the five in total!!!) set up the chance for me to serve out the set and win 7v5" -- Matthew
Player Comments:
- "Both players started very well and half an hour had passed with the score only 2-2 following multiple deuces in every game. This pattern continued throughout the match and it's amazing the scoreline did not read closer by the end. Marcus served very well throughout and there were many well played aggressive points and long tactical rallies helped by playing under the floodlit dome at Stowmarket. The 2nd set could have gone either way after Marcus almost came back from 1-4 down to trail 3-5 before Daniel edged another very close game to finish what was a fiery but fair and physically exhausting match in just over 2 hours. " -- Daniel
Player Comments:
- "Both players struggled in the first set but Avery managed to play well on the important points to close out the first. The second was more competitive as Stuart regain his form and the match could have gone to a third set with Avery running out of steam but managing to hang on to close out the second set......" -- Avery
Player Comments:
- "Neither of us could hold serve for much of this match. At 4-5 on my serve I stood on the edge of the precipice at 0-40. I hit my second serve onto the outside edge of the service box for an ace which avery called out at first but then showed great sportsmanship and gave me two serves after a review when he said he wasn't sure it was out and I was sure it was in. I went on to take the game to draw level at 5-5. Avery was 6-5 and I had to stand firm again to take it to an inevitable tie-break to separate us. We were nip and tuck upto 5-5 when I perfectly judged a drop shot that just cleared the net and at last stole the set from Averys grasp. I had the momentum after this 90 minute toe-to toe battle of tennis and nerve which decided the match" -- Marcus
Player Comments:
- "The windy conditions made things difficult for us but there many good rallies despite this. Xin got off to a great start breaking serve and holding to take a 2-0 lead. I recovered and managed to win the next 7 games in a row with Xin 30-0 and 40-0 in several of these games. I certainly had the luck of the net cord in my favour this afternoon. The 2nd set was another close one but I was able to get a vital bit of breathing space to go 4-2 and then 5-2 up with plenty of deuce games played. I then served out to complete the win on the 3rd match point. " -- Daniel
Match of the Group:
Reveal CommentAvery Jackson bt Matthew Last (Jan 26) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3Player Comments:
- "Another great game of tennis with both players serving and covering the court well in the opening set. Avery managed to stay focused to close out the first set. The second set was one way traffic with Matt playing consistently throughout with excellent serves and shorter rallies closing out the set in 20 minutes. The third set saw both players struggling and failing to hold serves as the wind picked up in a bright and quiet day at Christchurch Park. At 3-3 in the third set Avery managed to break serve and close out the set. A very close match with both players winning 13 games each out of the 26 games played. Thoroughly enjoyable match...," -- Avery
Player Comments:
- "A tough match to start the new year. Daniel was in great form so I knew I had to start well. At 3-3 in the first Daniel serves dipped and Avery managed to break his serves and hold out to win the set. The second set was a bit of the same. An enjoyable game of tennis played in good spirit." -- Avery
Player Comments:
- "This was as much of a battle against the elements as much as each other! Wind, rain and a blinding sunshine at one end made conditions difficult for both throughout. I started off serving very well and led 3-0 before Matt pulled a game back. A consistent first set saw me through 6-1 with few unforced errors which I knew was vital to have any chance. Matt got off to a great start in the 2nd taking a 3-0 lead before I used the sun to my advantage with some high deep balls to recover and lead 4-3. At 4-4 the match was anyone's but I managed to sneak over the line before Matt could push it to a decider. Some very good points despite the conditions. " -- Daniel
Group Summary:
No bonus points here and a small group but very well done to every one for playing every possible match after Chris withdrew. And what great matches they were! An epic between Zelma and David, very competitive sets between Pradeep and David and Zelma making Pradeep really earn his win. In the end, this was Philippa's round, finishing at the top just one point ahead of Pradeep, though as she says "Overall standings are 1-1 in matches and 2-2 in sets, couldn't be closer!" Well done all!
Final Rankings:
- Philippa Cowie [W2, L1] 5 WINNER
- Pradeep Rajakumar [W2, L1] 4 RUNNER UP
- Zelma Green 9.1 [W1, L2] 3
- David Sendall 10.2 [W1, L3] 3
- Chris Smith [W1] withdrawn 2
Match Results:
Player Comments:
- "At over three hours this was something of an epic. Last time I played David I think I commented he had said he'd had a gap and was coming back and it was evident he would improve... he now really has! The low sun affected both players at times and David took the first after set points on my part. I fought back to claim the second on another tight tie break. In the third I started to fear the worst as David clawed it back when I was 5-1 up. Just managed to hold it at the end though! A great match Thanks David! " -- Zelma
Player Comments:
- "Very competitive sets. The scores don't really do justice to the level of games we played. A lot of deuce games and I was a bit cheeky to get quite a few net shots falling in David's court. Good conditions for this season and a great way to start the day." -- Pradeep
Player Comments:
- "An extended warm up ensured that the glorious sunshine melted the remaining ice that greeted us on court. Match started in a familiar pattern from the last meet with breaks of serve from both players. Pradeep warmed up quickly hitting winner after winner to build a 3-1 lead. Pip fought back to level the score and the breaks kept coming on serve to bring this set to a tiebreak finale: a very competitive start to the match. Second set started no different, with Pip able to build the lead this time with winners of her own and errors creeping in on Pradeep's side. Service games were held by Pip to see the match out. Overall standings are 1-1 in matches and 2-2 in sets, couldn't be closer! Thanks, Pradeep (maybe play a decider before you go?)" -- Philippa
Match of the Group:
Reveal CommentDavid Sendall bt Philippa Cowie (Jan 26) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4Player Comments:
- "This was a fantastic match. Some really good tennis and ridiculous retrievals on both sides. Philippa is quick around the court, so hitting clean winners is tricky. Despite me taking the first game, Philippa pretty much walked the first set. The were flashes from me, but nothing sustained. The second set scoreline is probably unjust and doesn't tell the story of a number of deuces and no love games. The third set seemed to be heading Philippa's way as she raced into a 4-1 lead. I managed to take 5 games in a row to complete an unlikely comeback. All the games in the third set were tight, with yet more deuce games with some games having at least 5 deuces in them. Great match. Well played Philippa." -- David
Player Comments:
- "Great first game of round 34 on a decent Sunday evening, not too cold, just about right conditions for this season. Both of us fought hard for our points. It could have gone either way." -- Pradeep
Player Comments:
- "David played some good shots, hes very quick across the court." -- Chris
Group Summary:
Well done to Peter who played and won three matches. With a walkover as well, his position at the top become unassailable, though good to see he had a very close tie break first set in his match v Ryan who was runner up. A slightly quiet group overall but here's to better weather and more matches next time.
Final Rankings:
- Peter Haystead [W4] 8 WINNER
- Ryan Squirrell [W2, L1] 4 RUNNER UP
- John Barrett 10.2 [L1]
- Allan Santos [L2]
- Ashley Miller 10.1 [L2]
Match Results:
Player Comments:
- "A very enjoyable match with some long rallies and lots of deuce points. Many thanks for the game Alan" -- Ryan
Player Comments:
- "A really enjoyable match with the first set being around 45 mins and very close at time - thanks Ashley" -- Ryan
Match of the Group:
Peter Haystead bt Ryan Squirrell (Jan 20) 7-6 (7-4), 6-0Results
Looking for previous matches? Visit the Christchurch Park, Ipswich archive.
The results listed here include the current and previous round of Singles matches for Christchurch Park, Ipswich.
Scoring Information:
You earn one point for every set you win. Players who complete three or more matches by the mid-point of the round receive 2 bonus points, and a bonus prize (typically a free can of HEAD tennis balls). Bonus prizes must be claimed within 28 days using the link posted to the player's Account page. The link is also emailed to players.
Please note, while matches tied at one set all may be completed with a matchtiebreak, singles matches completed to this shortened format, do not count toward bonus points.
Understanding the current rankings display:
Player name, [LTA rating - if known], W - tally of wins, L - tally of losses, UF - tally of unfinished matches] 'n' - points won (if bonus points have been won a note to this effect is added)
Comments:
Reporters of results are encouraged to leave a comment on the "Report Your Score" form. Additional commentaries may be added by submitting a result revision (see the pencil icon next to your results)
Player Comments: