OFFICIAL REGULATIONS & PRACTICAL RULES 2010

This International Youth Tournament is held according to the rules of the International Tennis Federation by permission of Tennis Europe.

1. BASIC RULES

1.1. The tournament is organized for both boys and girls of 14 and under: players who will not have reached the age of l5 by the 3lst of December of the year in which the tournament is played.
1.2. Each national federation has the right to select a maximum of 2 boys and 2 girls.
1.3. Each player has to participate in singles and doubles events. Mixed doubles will not be played.
1.4. MDS: Best of three tie-break sets. MDD: Best of two tie-break sets and match tie-break (10 points) in place of a third set. Cons: Best of three short sets (first to five) with tie-break at 4 all.
1.5. Only players competing in the singles are allowed to enter the doubles events. If a player has no doubles partner, lots will be drawn to form a doubles team consisting of two players from different countries.
1.6. A knock-out schedule will be played in the singles and doubles events.
1.7. All players shall dress and present themselves for play in a suitable manner. Clean and customarily, acceptable tennis attire shall be worn.
1.8. No one is allowed to advise or to coach players during the matches. Only the players, the umpires, or court officials are allowed to stay inside the court when a match is played.
1.9. Players sweep the court after playing.

2. FOUNDATION

2.1. The tournament is managed by the "Stichting Windmill Cup".
The members of the executive committee are:
- Mr Richard Kempers - Chairman
- Mr Rob Joling - Treasurer
- Mr Robert van Poppelen - member
- Mr Dick Jan van Enthoven - member

3. ORGANISATION

3.1. The executive committee takes all decisions about the running of the tournament, the scheduling and location of the matches. Its decision is final, also in matters concerning the captains or players. The committee can, if necessary, impose all penalties, from warning to exclusion. Decisions are taken by a majority.
3.2. The executive committee is in charge of the organisation of the tournament, particularly accommodation, board, transportation and the organisation of various ceremonies.
3.3. Sunday night a captains meeting will be held with representatives of the committee and the referee. All matters concerning the organisation of the tournament will be discussed; the Order of Play for the following day will be distributed. Sign-in for practice at organisation desk. When necessary or required other captains' meetings will be arranged.

4. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CAPTAINS AND PLAYERS

4.1. The captain of each team is required to attend the captains-meeting.
4.2. Captains have to ensure that the players are dressed correctly during matches and when attending ceremonies.
4.3. The rules on identification of players have to be followed.
4.4. All players shall conduct themselves in a well-behaved manner during the tournament. The tournament is held in accordance with the regulations of the tournament, the rules of the ITF, the Rules of Tennis and the Code of Conduct. Players violating these rules will be subject to the penalties as stated below, in accordance with the Code of Conduct:
- First offence: warning
- Second offence: point penalty
- Third and each subsequent offence: game penalty. However, after the 3rd Code Violation the referee shall determine whether each subsequent offence shall constitute a default.
4.5. The penalties above can only be applied by the referee.

5. REFEREE'S DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

5.1. The draw will be prepared by the committee according to the usual regulations. The past winner in a category will be seeded number one if he plays in the same category.
5.2. The draw will take place in public by the referee, in the presence of an official representative of the organizing committee, a player and a coach.
5.3. A doubles team, consisting (out of necessity) of two players of different nations, will be formed by drawing lots. Points for the nation's ranking will not be allocated.
5.4. No matches will be started after 9 p.m. The referee decides when a match should be suspended in case of bad weather or insufficient light. A suspended match may be finished on another court, with floodlights or indoors, even if the surface differs from that of the original court.

The Tennis Europe Circuit

Many visitors of the Windmill Cup Carl Gantois might wonder why all these young tennis stars choose to participate in this tournament in Leeuwarden of all places. Why is it so attractive for players and coaches to be present at this particular tournament? How are the players selected/invited?
In newspapers and tennis magazines, the Windmill Cup Carl Gantois is referred to as the "strongest youth tennis tournament of the world". How do they know? How is it determined?
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) states as one of its objectives to support tennis played by talented youngsters all over the world. In 1975, under auspices of the ITF, the Tennis Europe was established. Virtually all tennis associations from the European countries are members.
Tennis Europe developed a special programme aimed at the development of youth tennis. Part of this programme is a circuit of tournaments in Europe, not only for European players, but also for players from other continents; the so-called Junior Circuit.
Three different age groups are recognised: under 13 years of age, under l5 and under l7. Each group has its own circuit. The various tournaments have different rankings, e.g. "class l" tournaments are to attract the very, very best players. Participating in these tournaments, players earn ranking points; these points determine the players' position on the international ranking lists.

It is a misunderstanding that Tennis Europe organises all these tournaments itself. The national tennis associations apply to Tennis Europe to allow one of their national tournaments to become part of the circuit. The "Junior Committee" of Tennis Europe however does issue rules and regulations for these tournaments. If the status (the ranking of a tournament) increases, the regulations become more elaborate. E.g. a category l tournament has to provide free board and lodging to all participants and coaches. In order to regulate the competition between the various tournaments, the "Junior Circuit Regulations" stipulate that in a particular week in Europe only one category l tournament will be organised, maximum three category 2 tournaments and maximum six category 3 tournaments. This ensures that the absolute top players indeed all come to the category l tournament, because that's where the competition is. That's where you can earn most ranking points.

In the "Tennis Europe Junior Circuit Regulations" you will also find the following table:

Tournament:	Category 1	Category 2	Category 3
Winner	120	80	60 points
No. 2	100	65	50 points
Half Finalist	75	50	30 points
Quarter Finalist	50	30	20 Points
nrs.9-16	30	20	15 Points
nrs.17-32	20	15	10 Points
Defeated 1st round - 10 Points

Players increase their number of points by participating in tournaments and winning matches. The total number of points accumulated by the individual player determines his ranking. And this again determines whether or not he/she is accepted by a particular tournament. In category l tournaments, only the very best from each country are allowed to participate. The organisation wants only the very best players, because also the category of the tournament itself in the future is determined by the number of high ranking players that is participating. So the system works two ways.
The strongest players like to participate in category l tournaments because that's where they can earn the most points and the tournament retains its number l ranking because so many top players participate. The Windmill Cup Carl Gantois has been a category l tournament for many years now and consequently attracts the very best players. It is reasonable to expect that almost every year a future top professional will be among the participants. Examples such as LIeyton Hewitt en Kim Clijsters prove the point. These players don't travel thousands of miles for the cups and other prizes (no prize money in youth tournaments), but it is the high level competition they find in Leeuwarden at Windmill Cup Carl Gantois.
Here they test the limits of their talents. Every top player likes to play against other top talents. It is the only way to improve one's game.
The current dominant position of European players in world-wide tennis is also partly the result of the junior circuits organised by Tennis Europe. The Netherlands and the national tennis association KNLTB can be proud to host a tournament such as the Windmill Cup Carl Gantois. A real "world class" or "grand slam" tournament.

Mr. Marc Hendrickx
Referee.