Tatang's Cup 2026

1. Game Scoring

The scoring is no-ad. When the game score is deuce, the receiving team chooses which side is to receive the serve. In the mixed doubles set the serve must be gender to gender at game point.

2. Set Scoring

The match format consists of 6 no-ad sets. The order of play shall be as follows: men's and women's doubles, men's and women's singles and two sets of mixed doubles. Mixed doubles is always played last. Each no-ad set is won by the first team to reach six games. A seven point tiebreaker will be played at five games all in any set (see explanation of tiebreakers below).

3. Match Scoring and Overtime

Teams must submit starting lineup before play of each set. Teams have until the end of the three minute break between sets to submit the starting lineup for the next set. Players cannot play in both mixed doubles. The winner of the match will be determined by total number of games won. For purposes of determining whether a match will go into Overtime, set number six will be the deciding factor. After both mixed doubles sets are finished and scores are recorded and totaled, the procedure is as follows:

• If the leading team won set number six, the match is over.
• If the trailing team won set number six, the match continues into Overtime until the leading team wins one game or until the score is tied. (See Supertiebreaker if a tie occurs.)
• If the overall score ends tied, a Supertiebreaker will be played to determine the winner.

Overtime is a continuation of the sixth set. Team number six should be designated as the strongest mixed doubles team. Once a player has come out of any mixed doubles set, a player cannot return in Overtime. The first person to serve in Overtime is the person who was next to serve at the end of the sixth set. This Overtime rule gives the trailing team a chance to make a comeback (and emphasizes the importance of the mixed doubles set).

4. Substitutions

A team can, upon completion of a point, substitute a player (same gender) into a set for any reason. Once a player is replaced he/she cannot return in that set. If a substitution occurs in doubles, the remaining player cannot change the side on which they receive or the service order. Substitutions are allowed in Overtime (if a player has not already played in mixed doubles) and the Supertiebreaker. Once a player has come out of any mixed doubles set a player cannot return in Overtime.

5. Warm-Up Time

Due to scheduling constraints, only 30 minutes of warm-up time at the beginning of the tournament will be allotted. If there is a free court, you are more than welcome to use it for warming up. No warmup between matches/sets.

6. Service Order

The home team serves first in men and women's doubles sets and in the sixth set. The visiting team serves first in the singles sets and the fifth set. The receiving team selects from which end of the court to receive. See Scorecard.

7. Changing Ends

Normal changing ends between games (1, 3, 5, 7).

8. Coaching

Coaching is allowed as long as it does not interfere with continuous play. Coaching is not allowed while the ball is in play. Only active players can make line calls. Team members along or near the court cannot make line calls.

9. Default Rules

Matches are to be started promptly as scheduled. The order of men's/women's singles and men's/women's doubles may be altered to accommodate a match as long as both teams agree to the order change. Mixed doubles must be played last.

Injury: If a player retires during a set and a substitute is not available, the score will be recorded with the games played standing with the opposing team receiving 6 games.

10. Explanation of Tiebreakers

Seven-Point Tiebreaker — A seven point tiebreaker will be played at five games all in any set. The person who is next to serve begins the tiebreaker. The first team (or player) to score seven points wins the tiebreaker. The winner of the seventh point is the winner of the set. The tiebreaker can be won by one point. The tiebreaker counts as one game in the overall match scoring.

Supertiebreaker — If the match enters into a Supertiebreaker, a coin toss will decide which team serves first in the Supertiebreaker. Either player on the serving team may serve first. In addition, court positions may be changed (i.e. person who played forehand position may switch to play backhand position). The first team to score seven points wins the Supertiebreaker. Since this set is mixed doubles, the final serve will be gender to gender. The winner of the 13th point wins the Supertiebreaker and the match. The Supertiebreaker is won by one point. The Supertiebreaker counts as one game in overall match scoring.