2026 TennisPlaza Ladder

Hard to believe 3 months has gone by so fast but here we are - at the end of the 2025 ladder.  I hope everyone has enjoyed participating in the ladder & hopefully met some new players to hit with in the future.  It's been very busy with over 200 matches played.

Also want to give props to everyone!  It was hot at the start and it was rainy at the end yet everyone still played - it was too hot for me , I skipped it this year.

I want to thank TennisPlaza for their continued sponsorship of the ladder.  They are a big supporter of local tennis - helping support & sponsoring many local tournaments & events.

IN THE NEWS:

  1. Playoffs:
    3.5 Division
      Semi-Final   Final    
     1)    Andy Richter   Richter              
     2) Kevin Forte   6-4, 6-2    
            Richter
     3) Tomas Carroll   Carroll          6-4, 6-4
     4) Jesus Gonzalez   6-3, 6-4    
    4.0 Division
      Semi-Final   Final    
     1)    Jorge Casado   Shah    
     2) Shulagra Shah   2-6, 6-0, 10-8      
            Matamoros
     3) Tomas Matamoros   Matamoros   6-4, 6-1
     4) Luigo Pissani   6-2, 4-6, 10-6    
    4.5 Division
      Semi-Final   Final    
     1)    Fernando Capote   Alksnis    
     2) Cameron Alksnis   6-4, 5-4 ret.    
            Alksnis
     3) Carlos Vargas   Didziulis   6-3, 7-6
     4) Vytenis Didziulis   6-7, 6-0, 6-1    

     
  2. FUN Prizes:
    • 1st match played in each division: Free Stringing
      3.5: Tomas Carroll & Andrew Richter
      4.0: Edgar Ahumada & Miguel Cortes
      4.5: Rubens Biselli & Anniel Gonzalez Lopez
    • Most Matches Played in all divisions: $25 gift certificate
      For the 1st time in many, many years Jeff "Iron Man" Taylor was out done - Congrats to Victor Dangond - 20 matches!
  3. More Tennis:
    24th Annual Fall-Island Tournament - www.fallislandtournament.com.

Hope everyone has a safe & happy Labor Day weekend!


Hey Guys,

We're into the last few weeks of the ladder.  Last month was tough with the rain and heat.  Hopefully it cools down a little and rains less.

LADDER END DATE:
The end date has been extended from Aug. 31st to Sep. 3rd to include that 1st weekend in Sep. so there can be 3 full weekends left.

PRIZES:
June - 1st matches played - Free Stringing (labor only)
  3.5:  Yoel Lopez  &  Juan Trujillo
  4.0:  Anibal Montes  &  Tomas Matamoros
  4.5:  Aleco Azqueta  &  Jeff Taylor

July - Most matches played - $20 Tennis Plaza  gift card
  3.5:  Ranko Slavujevic
  4.0:  Alexis Garcia
  4.5:  Matthew Reiser

30% OFF SALE:
Don't forget to take advantage of the 1-time 30% Off Sale - it's good until the end of the month. There are some exclusions - they can tell you what items are not eligible.

>> To redeem Prizes or take advantage of the Sale go to any Tennis Plaza location with your ID (they have everyone's name).

PLAYOFF QUALIFICATION:
In order to qualify a player must:
  a) Have a winning record
  b) Play at least 7 different players (reduced from the usual 8)
If there are not at least 4 players who meet the qualification the next closest player will be selected.   If there are more than 4, then the total number of matches/winning %/etc will also be considered.





Hey Guys,

We're down to the final 2 weeks of the ladder.  This year has been a little tough with all the rain and heat but we still had a lot of matches played (you guys are in better heat shape then me :-)

REMINDERS:
  1. 30% Off Sale
    This is a one-time sale and is good anytime until the end of the ladder (9/1) for 30% off the price of an item (racquets and balls excluded).  They have your name so just bring an ID :-)
  2. Play-Offs
    Ladder positions have been updated based on play over the last couple periods.  You may have been moved up or down so check it out for the current standings.

    The minimum requirements to qualify for the play-offs are:
    1. Have a winning record
    2. Played at least 1 match between 8/16 & 9/1
    3. Played a minimum number of different players
      3.5 Ladder: 7 different players
      4.0 Ladder: 8 different players
      4.5 Ladder: 7 different players
    These are the minimum requirements.   If there are more than 4 players who meet the criteria, then the total number of matches/winning %/etc will also be considered.  If there is less then 4 players who meet the citeria the next closest player will be selected.  It is not necessarily the order of the ladder.
  3. More Tennis:
    Just a reminder that the deadline to register for the Summer Classic is Sunday, 9/1 - www.summerclassic.net.
IN THE NEWS:

  1. End of 1st Period
    Tomorrow is the end of the 1st period.  Per the rules, anyone who did not play a match in the last 2 weeks will be moved below those who did.  If you are playing today/tomorrow please enter the result ASAP afterwards ;-)

    Note: This is not that big a deal at the end of the 1st period as not that many matches are played in the 1st 2 weeks so you won't get moved down too many spots.  However in the next couple periods lots of matches get played so keep that in mind.
  2. 2nd Period - "Challenge Range" Now In Affect
    During the 1st period a player's first challenge was unrestricted (if you did not use your unrestricted challenge, then it is lost).
    All challenges should now be in the Challenge Range shown at the bottom of each ladder list.

     Example: You are #20 and the Challenge Range is 6 - you can challenge up to #14
    (Note: if you can not find a match within the Challenge Range then you can go outside the range).
  3. Next Deadline
    The next deadline to play at least 1 match is June 30th.
  4. Reporting Results
    The winner should report the result on the website as soon as possible after the match.
  5. Finding out the results of matches played
    To see the results for a player, click the "Matches" link to the right of their name.
  6. Challenging players below you
    You can always challenge players below you - the Challenge Range is more flexible in regards to that.  In fact, most players will, at some point, need to challenge players below in order to meet the 'minimum number of matches against different players' rule to qualify for the playoffs.
  7. 3rd Set is a Super Tie-Break
    If tied at 1 set each, the 3rd set is a Super Tie-Break - first to 10 by 2.
  8. 30% Off Sale
    This is a one-time sale and is good anytime during the ladder for 30% off the price of an item (racquets and balls excluded).  They have your name so just bring an ID :-)
  9. The first "Fun" Prize
    The first "fun" prize was... "1st Match Played in each division" with both players getting a free stringing (labor not string). The winners are:
    > 3.5: Yoel Lopez & Enrique Porto
    > 4.0: Pier Barinci & Juan Dasso
    > 4.5: Justin Hayek & Matthew Reiser
    Thanks guys for getting things going :-)
  10. Ladder Tip
    There are several requirements to qualify for the end-of-ladder play-offs... one is that players must play a minimum number of matches against different players.  The next 2 periods are the time to get those matches in.  It is not always necessary to challenge up, you can challenge down to get matches in.  It can be hard in the last 2 periods to get some of those matches in.

As always, if you have any questions, problems, suggestions, please let me know,

2026 TennisPlaza Ladder

The ladder is back for it's 18th year!

  • 3 Miami Divisions: 3.5 & below,  4.0,  4.5 & above
  • Play-off: for the top 4 players in each ladder division
  • Trophies: for winners & runner-ups of each ladder division
  • TennisPlaza Gift Certificates: winners & runner-ups and also 3rd & 4th place in each ladder
  • Special Sale: 30% off (one-time use - anytime during the ladder)
  • Monthly "Fun" prizes: tba

The Ladder will run from June 1st thru August 31st.

Entry Fee: $30

Note: The Ladder starts June 1st but entries are accepted until June 30th.  Players are positioned in the order of registration so the sooner you register, the higher up you start.  Also, players registering after June 15th do not get the "unrestricted" 1st challenge

If you have any questions, please email or text/call Todd Weinkle at: (305) 609-5036

 

General Rules:

  • Players are placed in the ladder in the order they sign up.
  • Players can play in only 1 ladder division.
  • Players challenge other players.  If you win, you move into the other players spot. If you lose, you stay where you are.
  • Players need to play at least 1 match every 15 days (1/2 month).  Players who did not play a match during the 15-day period will be moved below players who have played a match.  Each player gets 1 'bye' period that can be used if traveling, injured, etc so they will not be moved down.  No 'bye's in the last 2 weeks
  • Players play at any location mutually agreed to by both players
  • Both players bring a can of balls and the winner keeps the unopened can
  • Match format: 2 out of 3 sets. 3rd set will be a super tie-breaker (1st to 10 by 2).
  • There will be a play-off for the top 4 players in each ladder.
  • The play-offs will take place between September 1st & September 15th.


click here for complete rules

 
What is a Ladder?

Unlike tournament play, which is single elimination (or round robin), ladders are ongoing.  Play as many matches as you like by challenging players higher up on the ladder.  If you win, you take their spot and move up the ladder!  If you lose, you stay where you are.

For more info, please see the Frequently Asked Questions and Rules sections or Contact Us.

 
How often do I play?

You can play as many matches as you want.  Players must play at least 1 match every 15 days (1/2 month).  If a player does not play a match within the 15 day period, they will be moved below players that have.
 
Where do I play?

Players can play at any location mutually agreed to by the players.
 
 
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