Friendly, competitive tennis on Waltham Forest'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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From the dates above, choose your round and click on the Join By link.
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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!
Missing Something?
If you notice any of our venue information is out of date, missing court costs or opening hours please let us know.
Primary Venues
Chingford School of Tennis
Other Venues
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre
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Collapse AllWaltham Forest Singles - Round 16 | Thursday 16 January 2020 to Wednesday 11 March 2020 (Midpoint: Wednesday 12 February 2020)
Over two thirds of matches played in this wintry and rather soggy round, so by our reckoning that is not bad going at all! Thanks for the great commentaries and generally being so supportive to your fellow players. Here's to the next round!
Group Summary:
What a great top group and only three matches not played! This was nip and tuck tennis with a points tie for top spot, Winston playing one more match to ensure he equalled Joshua's 12 point tally. So, it was all down to their head-to-head, and a three-setter that didn't disappoint. Joshua added to his unbeaten run and with that match picks up the gold!
Final Rankings:
- Joshua Kovoor [W5] 12 includes 2 bonus points WINNER
- Winston Balfourth [W4, L2] 12 includes 2 bonus points RUNNER UP
- James Clarke 10.2 [W2, L4] 9 includes 2 bonus points
- Ilya Tkachiov 7.2 [W3, L3] 7
- Tomasz Jaxa-Chamiec [W1, L3, UF1] 4
- David Smith [W1, L3] 4 includes 2 bonus points
- Tom Bird [W1, L2, UF1] 2
Match Results:
Player Comments:
- "Played over two legs to avoid the hail... but still a fun contest" -- Tom
Player Comments:
- "Some great rallies and passing shots on both sides. I benefitted a bit from Tomasz not playing a lot since we last played. Having said that it was an entertaining match played in great spirit as expected. Look forward to our next match." -- Winston
Player Comments:
- "Very enjoyable game, stressful at times, but hilarious changeover banter was keeping the tension down :) Jokes aside, Tom's style when he is in the zone, is definitely a force to be reckoned with." -- Ilya
Player Comments:
- "A defensive game where both of us were under a lot of pressure both from the game and the warm humid airdome of Chingford School of Tennis." -- Ilya
Player Comments:
- "Really great hit, James seemed to get to every ball. With it going the distance in a tense 3-setter, there were lots of breaks of serve on both sides going on in the 2nd and 3rd sets. James seemed unstoppable in the second set, making almost no unforced errors and plenty of clean winners, but I managed to hold on to the final decider set in the end for the win. Really enjoyed the hit! Looking forward to the next one! " -- Joshua
Player Comments:
- "With both players meeting at 6.30am for a 7am start (on a Sunday morning!) this was already looking like an interesting match-up. Fortunately not affected by the weather warnings of wind with the indoor courts. Lots of great ground stroke rallies with both of us pushing the other to hit riskier shots. Ilya had me moving(/scrambling) around the court, but I fortunately managed to hold on for the win. Great game and excited to play Ilya again inside and outside of the league. " -- Joshua
Player Comments:
- "Enjoyed this match with David. Great guy and hits a lovely topspin forehand. Definitely got me moving around the court. " -- Joshua
Player Comments:
- "Quite a sharp and tough game, where each set one player managed to get a strong lead (I was leading 5:1 in the first set). It seemed like we were taking turns losing our game at the start of a set. I decided to go for risky shots in the third to grab the lead, and luckily it paid off. Thanks for the game, Winston, and good luck in the half marathon!" -- Ilya
Match of the Group:
Reveal CommentJoshua Kovoor bt Winston Balfourth (Feb 1) 7-6 (7-1), 2-6, 7-5Player Comments:
- "Wow! Two great sets of tennis. Welcome to the Waltham Forest local tennis league, Joshua. The first set was really long with neither player able to get on top until the tie break which Joshua tied up pretty convincingly. There were some really long multiple deuce games in the first set which limited what could be completed on the night. We managed to get the second set completed but with little more than 15 minutes left it was the right decision to call time. Great guy and will definitely play Joshua again in or outside the league." -- Winston
- "A one set shootout to complete this enthralling match. Never say die is definitely the idiom to use for the final set. It was a good final set with me getting close to the promised land but Josh earning the nickname Houdini as he pulled off more than a great escape. At 5-2 down and having saved a few match points in clawing his way back, Josh prevailed. Kudos for the determination to run down some really difficult balls which would have given me the match. Many others would have faltered. Best of luck with your remaining matches Josh as you will do well," -- Winston
Player Comments:
- "Windy weather! We were both laughing at times. Tom threw the ball up to serve and the winds took it away before he could attempt his serve. A ball on my forehand suddenly changing direction to my backhand and me offering no shot. A really hard fought first set which went to and fro which I just managed to prevail. The second set Tom mentioned that he was staring down a barrel when it appeared as though I would wrap things up. I know Tom, he can get virtually anything so didn't take anything for granted. Serving out for the match took an eternity of deuces with Tom breaking me and sniffing a possible comeback. I just about sneaked over the line and look forward to our next match. Best of luck in your remaining matches Tom" -- Winston
Player Comments:
- "A throwback to years gone by playing at Connaught. Haven't played there since my teens. David is a great guy and we had a great sporting match with some good rallies indoors on clay. The ball kicked up a few times which lead to rapid stroke readjustments. A lovely experience against a great guy. Best of luck with your remaining matches Dave." -- Winston
Player Comments:
- "A cold evening with some great rallies. We didn't pull off a 3 set thriller like the last round but an enjoyable match. Best of luck with your remaining matches James." -- Winston
Group Summary:
Not quite as many matches played as were in the group above but still some fine performances to celebrate, not least of which was Graeme's unbeaten run to the top spot. Sol came closest in the points chase to catching Graeme, and Andy in particular gave the champ a run for his money on court, but it is hat's off to Graeme this time!
Final Rankings:
- Graeme Rawlings [W4] 10 includes 2 bonus points WINNER
- Sol Ali [W2, L2] 7 includes 2 bonus points RUNNER UP
- Andy McGlynn 10.2 [W1, L2] 3
- Anthony Bristow 9.2 [W1, L1] 2
- Chris Agass [L3]
- Darren Lawrence
Match Results:
Player Comments:
- "Welcome to the tennis league Chris. Hope you enjoyed the game and look forward to the next round" -- Sol
Match of the Group:
Reveal CommentGraeme Rawlings bt Andy McGlynn (Feb 23) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4Player Comments:
- "Very good close match....in wet and windy conditions....well played Andy." -- Graeme
Player Comments:
- "As always, a very good match " -- Sol
Player Comments:
- "Close and enjoyable match. Well played Anthony." -- Graeme
Player Comments:
- "Great match. Both players attacking at every opportunity. Could of gone either way. Well played sol." -- Anthony
Player Comments:
- "A very good match played in the best of spirits on a good shale court. Thanks Sol...match closer than the scoreline suggets. Graeme" -- Graeme
Player Comments:
- "Fun match in bright sun. " -- Andy
Group Summary:
Michael suffered an early defeat to Robert, but put that behind him to play an excellent round after that, ending up with more matches played and more wins that anyone else. A highlight was his match with runner-up Toby, a player who found himself at the centre of a couple of epics. Shame Lucy didn't get her campaign under way this time and some other matches didn't get played - do reach out to us for help with match scheduling if you need to!
Final Rankings:
- Michael Kenny 10.1 [W3, L1] 8 includes 2 bonus points WINNER
- Toby Spearpoint 10.1 [W2, L1] 7 includes 2 bonus points RUNNER UP
- Robert Collins [W2, L1] 7 includes 2 bonus points
- Adam Walters [L3]
- Ismail Sik 10.1 [L1]
- Lucy Carter
Match Results:
Match of the Group:
Reveal CommentMichael Kenny bt Toby Spearpoint (Feb 10) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-2)Player Comments:
- "We had gales, sun and injuries both sides. The match was as changeable as the weather. I must have had over ten match points but I'my the end it went Michaels way. Well done and thanks for the match." -- Toby
Player Comments:
- "Some really great, close rallies and some very challenging, long games! Thanks for a great match Adam" -- Robert
Player Comments:
- "The wind was up and the courts were dry. A cracking match that featured some top-knotch rallies. Thanks for the match Adam. " -- Toby
Player Comments:
- "A truly epic match that couldn't have been closer. Played over two days, Rob and I usually battle it out for hours and this was no exception. It came down to the wire with a tie-break that anyone could have won. Thanks for the great match, Rob. " -- Toby
Player Comments:
- "Closer match than it might seem! Lots of deuces and close points. " -- Robert
Results
Looking for previous matches? Visit the Waltham Forest archive.
The results listed here include the current and previous round of Singles matches for Waltham Forest.
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: