ARTICLE I: GENERAL

A. PURPOSE
The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) promulgates this SLTA Code of Conduct (Code) in order to maintain fair and reasonable standards of conduct by junior players and player support team members at all local tournaments irrespective of if its ranking, non ranking, fun, novices or any set of trials for junior players and to protect their respective rights, the rights of the public and the integrity of the Sport of Tennis.

B. APPLICABILITY

This Code is applicable as stated herein to all junior events conducted at any local tournament.

ARTICLE II: PLAYER ENTRY OFFENCES

A. APPLICABILITY
This Article shall only apply to all junior events conducted by at any local tournament or at any trial events.

B. ENTRY OFFENCES
Late Withdrawals
Any player may withdraw from a tournament two hours before the draw time without being subjected to any penalty. A withdrawal received after the draw would be considered a late withdrawal unless expect for reasons of health or bereavement.
Any withdrawal related to health must be supported by a medical certificate.
 
All withdrawal must be in a written format and it should be handed to the tournament referee or tournament director personally or by email. Players are advised to keep a paper copy of any withdrawal made. It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure that the withdrawal has been received.

Any late withdrawals by a player may be punished by levy of suspension points as follows: - twenty suspension (20) points will be levied against the player on the first occasion of Withdrawal without good reason and twenty five (25) suspension points for each subsequent occasion. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of the tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour”.

ARTICLE III: PLAYER ON-SITE OFFENCES
A. GENERAL
Every player, coach, trainer, relative, parent or guardian, as well as any other player support team member, shall, during all matches and at all times while within the precincts of the site (including the official tournament hotel) of any local tournament, conduct himself/herself in a professional manner. The provisions hereinafter set forth shall apply while within the precincts of each such site.

B. PUNCTUALITY
Matches shall follow each other without delay in accordance with the announced order of play. The order of play shall be posted as a highly visible place in a general player’s area as designated by the Referee.
Matches shall be called in accordance with the order of play using all available and reasonable means. Players shall be ready to play when their matches are called. Any player not ready to play within fifteen (15) minutes after his/her match is called shall be defaulted unless the Referee in his sole discretion, after consideration of all relevant circumstances, elects not to declare a default.

C. DRESS AND EQUIPMENT
Every player shall dress and present himself/herself for play in a professional manner clean and customarily acceptable tennis attire shall be worn. Any player who violates this Section may be ordered by the Chair Umpire or Referee to change his/her attire or equipment immediately. Failure of a player to comply with such order may result in an immediate default. (The SLTA reserves the right to interpret the following rules so as to give effect to the intent and purposes of these Regulations).

Unacceptable Attire
Sweatshirts, gym shorts, dress shirts, T-shirts or any other inappropriate attire shall not be worn during a match (including the warm-up).

a. Shoes
Players are required to wear tennis shoes generally accepted as proper tennis attire. Shoes shall not cause damage to the court other than what is expected during the normal course of a match or practice. Damage to a court may be considered as physical or visible, which may include a shoe that leaves mark beyond what is considered acceptable. The ITF Referee has the authority to determine that a shoe does not meet these criteria and may order the player to change.

i. Grass Court Shoes
Tournaments played on grass court, no shoes other than those with rubber soles, without heels, ribs, studs or coverings, shall be worn by players. Shoes with pimples or studs around the outside of the toes shall not be permitted. The foxing around the toes must be smooth.
The Referee has the authority to determine that a tennis shoe’s sole does not conform to such customs and standards and can prohibit its use at any events played on grass courts.
ii Clay Court Shoes
Players are required to wear tennis shoes generally accepted for play on clay courts or granular surfaces. The Referee has the authority to determine that a tennis shoe’s sole does not conform to such customs and standards and can prohibit its use at ITF Junior Circuit events played on clay courts. Grass court shoes shall not be worn during a match on clay courts.
2. Doubles Teams
Members of a doubles team shall be dressed in substantially the same colours.

3. Identification
No identification shall be permitted on a player’s clothing, products or equipment on court during a match or at any press conference or tournament ceremony, except as follows (the ITF reserves the right to interpret the following rules so as to give effect to
the intent and purposes of these Rules):

a. Shirt, Sweater or Jacket
i. Sleeves. One (1) commercial (non-manufacturer’s) identification for each sleeve, neither of which exceeds three (3) square inches (19.5 sq.cm), plus one (1) manufacturer’s identification on each sleeve, neither of which exceeds eight (8) square inches (52 sq.cm) shall be permitted. If written identification is used within this eight (8) square inches (52 sq.cm) area on either or both sleeves, such written identification may not exceed four (4) square inches (26 sq.cm) per sleeve.

ii. Sleeveless: The two (2) commercial (non-manufacturer’s) identifications permitted on the sleeves above, neither of which shall exceed three (3)square inches (19.5 sq.cm), may be placed on the front of the garment.

iii. Front, Back and Collar. Total of two (2) manufacturer’s identifications, neither of which exceeds two (2) square inches (13 sq.cm) or one (1) manufacturer’s identification, which does not exceed four (4) square inches (26 sq.cm) shall be permitted.

b. Shorts/Skirts
Two (2) manufacturer’s identifications, neither of which exceeds two (2) square inches (13 sq.cm) or one manufacturer’s identification which does not exceed four (4) square inches (26 sq.cm) shall be permitted. On compression shorts, one (1) manufacturer’s identification not to exceed two (2) square inches (13 sq.cm) and which shall be in addition to the manufacturer’s identifications on shorts/skirts shall be permitted.

Note: A dress, for the purposes of permissible identification shall be treated as a combination of a skirt and shirt (dividing dress at waist).

c. Socks/Shoes
Manufacturer’s identifications on each sock and on each shoe shall be permitted. The identifications on the sock(s) on each foot shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) square inches (13 sq.cm).

d. Racquet
Manufacturer’s identifications on racquet and strings shall be permitted.

e. Hat, Headband or Wristband
One (1) manufacturer’s identification not to exceed two (2) square inches (13 sq.cm) shall be permitted.

f. Bags, Other Equipment or Paraphernalia
Tennis equipment manufacturer’s identifications on each item plus two (2) separate commercial identifications on one (1) bag, neither of which exceeds four (4) square inches (26 sq.cm) shall be permitted.

g. Another Tennis, Sport or Entertainment Event
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary hereinabove set forth the identification by use of the name, emblem, logo, trademark, symbol or other description of any tennis Circuit, series of tennis events, tennis exhibition, tennis tournament, any other sport or  entertainment event is prohibited on all dress or equipment, unless otherwise approved by the SLTA.

h. General
In the event the utilization of any of the foregoing permitted commercial identifications would violate any governmental regulation with respect to television, then the same shall be prohibited.
For the purposes of this Rule, the manufacturer means the manufacturer of the clothing or equipment in question.
In addition, the size limitation shall be ascertained by determining the area of the actual patch or other addition to a player’s clothing without regard to the color of the same. In determining area, depending on the shape of the patch or other addition, a circle, triangle or rectangle shall be drawn around the same and the size of the patch for the purpose of this Rule shall be the area within the circumference of the circle or the perimeter of the triangle or rectangle as the case may be. When a solid color patch is the same color as the clothing, then in determining the area, the size of the actual patch will be based on the size of the identification.

4. Warm-up Clothing
Players may wear warm-up clothing during the warm-up and during a match provided it complies with the foregoing provisions and provided further that the players obtain approval of the Referee prior to wearing warm-up clothing during a match.

5. Taping
No taping over of logos/patches shall be allowed.

D. TIME VIOLATION / DELAY OF GAME
Following the expiration of the warm-up period play shall be continuous and a player hall not unreasonably delay a match for any cause.
A maximum of twenty (20) seconds shall elapse from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of the point until the time the ball is struck for the first serve of the next point. If such serve is a fault then the second serve must be struck by the server without delay.
When changing ends a maximum of ninety (90) seconds shall elapse from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of the game until the time the first serve is struck for the next game. If such first serve is a fault the second serve must be struck by the server without delay. However, after the first game of each set and during a tie-break, play shall be continuous and the players shall change ends without a rest period.
At the conclusion of each set, regardless of the score, there shall be a set break of one Hundred and twenty (120) seconds from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of the set until the time the first serve is struck for the next set.
If a set ends after an even number of games, there shall be no change of ends until after the first game of the next set.
The receiver shall play to the reasonable pace of the server and shall be ready to receive within a reasonable time of the server being ready.
The first violation of this Section shall be penalized by a Time Violation warning and each subsequent violation shall be penalized by the assessment of one Time Violation point penalty.
When a violation is a result of a medical condition, refusal to play or not returning to the court within the allowed time a Code Violation (Delay of Game) penalty shall be assessed in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule.

E. AUDIBLE OBSCENITY
Players shall not use audible obscenity within the precinct of the tournament site. If such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up), the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule hereinafter set forth. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth.
For the purposes of this Rule, audible obscenity is defined as the use of words commonly known and understood to be profane and uttered clearly and loudly enough to be heard by Court Officials or spectators.

F. VISIBLE OBSCENITY
Players shall not make obscene gestures of any kind within the precincts of the tournament site. If such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up), the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule hereinafter set
forth. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth.
For the purposes of this Rule, visible obscenity is defined as the making of signs by a player with his/her hands and/or racquet or balls that commonly have an obscene meaning.

G. VERBAL ABUSE
Players shall not at any time verbally abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament site. If such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up), the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule hereinafter set forth. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth. For the purposes of this Rule, verbal abuse is defined as a statement about an official, opponent, sponsor, spectator or other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive.

H. PHYSICAL ABUSE
Players shall not at any time physically abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament site. If such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up), the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule hereinafter set forth. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth.
For the purposes of this Rule, physical abuse is the unauthorized touching of a Court Official, opponent, spectator or other person.

I. ABUSE OF BALLS
Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball within the precincts of the tournament site except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up). If such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up) the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule hereinafter set forth. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth.
For the purposes of this Rule, abuse of balls is defined as intentionally or recklessly hitting a ball out of the enclosure of the court, hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences.

J. ABUSE OF RACQUETS OR EQUIPMENT
Players shall not violently or with anger hit, kick or throw a racquet or other equipment within the precincts of the tournament site. If such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up), the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule hereinafter set forth. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth.
For the purposes of this Rule, abuse of racquets or equipment is defined as intentionally and violently destroying or damaging racquets or equipment or intentionally and violently hitting the net, court, umpire’s chair or other fixture during a match out of anger or frustration.

K. COACHING AND COACHES
Players shall not receive coaching during a match (including the warm-up). Communications of any kind, audible or visible, between a player and a coach (includes representative or relative of player) may be construed as coaching. Players shall also prohibit their coaches (1) from using audible obscenity within the precincts of the tournament site, (2) from making obscene gestures of any kind within the precincts of the tournament site,(3)from verbally abusing any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of  the tournament site,(4) from physically abusing any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament site and (5) from giving, making, issuing, authorizing or endorsing any public statement within the precincts of the tournament site having, or designed to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of the tournament and/or of the officiating thereof.
Violation of this Section shall subject a player to fifteen (15) suspension points for each violation. In addition, if such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up), the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule hereinafter set forth. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious a single violation of this section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth therefore and the Referee may order the Coach to be removed from the site of a match or the precincts of the tournament site and upon his failure to comply with such order may declare an immediate default of such player. For the purposes of this Rule, a “coach” shall also include any representative and/or relative of a player.

L. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
Players shall at all times conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner and give due regard to the authority of officials and the rights of opponents, spectators and others. If such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up), the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule hereinafter set forth. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth.
For the purposes of this Rule, Unsportsmanlike Conduct is defined as any misconduct by a player that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the Sport, but does not fall within the prohibition of any specific on-site offence contained herein. In addition, unsportsmanlike conduct shall include, but not be limited to, the giving, making, issuing, authorizing or endorsing any public statement having, or designed to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of the tournament and/or the officiating thereof.

M. BEST EFFORTS
A player shall use his best efforts to win a match when competing in any local tournament. For purposes of this Rule, the Referee and/or Chair Umpire shall have the authority to penalize a player in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of the tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour” and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth therefore.

N. LEAVING THE COURT
A player shall not leave the court area during a match (including the warm-up) without the permission of the Chair Umpire or Referee. A player who violates this section may be defaulted by the Referee and subjected to the additional penalties for “Failure to complete a match” as hereafter set forth.

O. FAILURE TO COMPLETE MATCH
A player must complete a match in progress unless he is reasonably unable to do so. A player who violates this section may be defaulted forthwith by the Referee. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of the tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour”.

P. CEREMONIES
A player participating in the finals of a tournament must attend and participate in the final ceremonies with appropriate attire (tennis attire, smart casual is sufficient but slippers are inappropriate) after the match unless he is reasonably unable to do so.
In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of the tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour”.

Q. MEDIA CONFERENCE
Unless injured and physically unable to appear, a player or team must attend the post match media conference(s) organized immediately or within thirty (30) minutes after the conclusion of each match whether the player or team was the winner or loser, unless such time is extended or otherwise modified by the Referee for good cause.
In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of the tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Major Offence of “Aggravated Behaviour”.

R. POINT PENALTY SCHEDULE
The Point Penalty Schedule to be used for violations set forth above is as follows:
FIRST offence WARNING
SECOND offence POINT PENALTY
THIRD AND EACH SUBSEQUENT offence GAME PENALTY
However, after the third Code Violation, the Referee shall determine whether each subsequent offence shall constitute a default.

S. DEFAULTS
The Referee may declare a default for either a single violation of this Code or pursuant to the Point Penalty Schedule set out above.
In all cases of default, the decision of the Referee shall be final and unappealable. Any player who is defaulted as herein provided may be defaulted from all other events, if any, in that tournament, except when the offending incident involves only a violation of the Punctuality or Dress and Equipment provisions set forth in Article III. B and C, or as a result of a medical condition or when his doubles partner commits the Code Violation which causes the default.

T. DOUBLES EVENTS
Warnings/Point Penalties/Game Penalties/Defaults
Warnings, Point Penalties, Game Penalties and/or a Default if assessed for violation of the Code shall be assessed against the team.

U. DETERMINATION AND PENALTY
The Referee shall make such investigation as is reasonable to determine the facts regarding all Player On-Site Offences and upon determining that a violation has occurred shall specify the punishment, other than under the Point Penalty Schedule, and give written notice thereof to the player.

V. APPEALS
Any player convicted of a violation of a Player On-Site Offence may appeal to the SLTA general committee for review of the determination of guilt and penalty. Such Notice of Appeal shall be in writing and filed by 5.00 p.m. G.M.T. with the SLTA within fourteen (14) days after the last day of the tournament.
Attached to and included with such Notice of Appeal shall be a statement by the player as to the facts and circumstances of such incident along with any other evidence that the player desires to submit.
Upon receipt of such an Appeal, the ITF Manager of Junior Tennis shall conduct a reasonable investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding such incident, and shall affirm or reverse in whole or in part the determination of the Referee. In the event of a whole or partial reversal the ITF shall remove the penalty from the player’s record in accordance with the disposition of the appeal.

W. SUSPENSION POINTS

Suspension points shall be recorded against a player for the following:

Any player receiving a total of ten (50) suspension points shall be suspended from competing in any tournaments for a period of four (4) weeks. Once the period of suspension has been served, the ten (50) points will be deducted from the player’s suspension points total. Should a player have more than ten (50) suspension points when he/she commences his/her period of suspension, the balance of the points will be carried over.

The suspension shall commence from a date to be specified by the SLTA, which shall take into account the time required to notify the player and all other relevant parties.
The SLTA is responsible for notifying the player in regard to any suspension.
Organizers of a local tournament shall be in breach of the regulations governing these tournaments, if, having been previously notified by the SLTA, they accept the entry of any player under suspension.
However if the

            ARTICLE IV: PLAYER MAJOR OFFENCES

A. WAGERS
No player or Related Person (defined hereinafter as including, but not limited to coaches, therapists, trainers, management representatives, family and business associates) shall wager anything of value in connection with any tournament.
Violation of this section by a player, directly or indirectly through a Related Person or others, shall subject the player to a maximum penalty of permanent suspension from play in all tournaments.
Violation of this Section shall subject a Related Person to a maximum penalty of permanent denial of access to all tournaments.

B. BRIBES OR OTHER PAYMENTS
No player or Related Person shall offer, give, solicit or accept, or agree to offer, give, solicit or accept, anything of value to or from any person with the intent to influence any player’s efforts or participation in any tournaments.
Violation of this section by a player, directly or indirectly through a Related Person or others, shall subject the player to a maximum penalty of permanent suspension from play in all tournaments.
Violation of this Section shall subject a Related Person to a maximum penalty of permanent denial of access to all tournaments.

C. AGGRAVATED BEHAVIOUR 
No player or Related Person at any tournament event shall engage in “Aggravated Behaviour” which is defined as follows:
1. One or more incidents of behavior designated in this Code as constituting “Aggravated Behaviour”.
2. One incident of behavior that is flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of the tournament, or is singularly egregious.
3. A series of two (2) or more violations of this Code within a twelve (12) month period which singularly do not constitute “Aggravated Behaviour”, but when viewed together establish a pattern of conduct that is collectively egregious and is detrimental or injurious to the local tennis tournaments.
Violation of this section by a player, directly or indirectly through a Related Person or others shall subject the player to a maximum penalty of permanent suspension from play in all local tournaments.
Violation of this Section shall subject a Related Person to a maximum penalty of permanent denial of access to all local tournaments.

D. CONDUCT CONTRARY TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME
No player or Related Person shall engage in conduct contrary to the integrity of the Game of Tennis. If a player is convicted of a violation of a criminal law of any country, the punishment of which includes possible imprisonment for more than one year, he/she may be deemed by virtue of such conviction to have engaged in conduct contrary to the integrity of the Game of Tennis. In addition, if a player has at any time behaved in a manner severely damaging to the reputation of the sport, he/she may be deemed by virtue of such behavior to have engaged in conduct contrary to the integrity of the Game of Tennis and be in violation of this section.
Violation of this section by a player, directly or indirectly through a Related Person or others shall subject the player to a maximum penalty of permanent suspension from play in all local tournaments.
Violation of this Section shall subject a Related Person to a maximum penalty of permanent denial of access to all local tournaments.

E. DETERMINATION AND PENALTY
The SLTA general committee shall cause an investigation to be made of all facts concerning any alleged Major Offence and shall provide written notice of such investigation to the player involved; the player shall be given at least ten (10) days to provide to the SLTA, directly or through counsel, such evidence as the player deems to be relevant to the investigation. Upon the completion of the investigation the SLTA shall determine the innocence or guilt of the player involved, and, in the latter case, shall state in writing the facts as found by the conclusions and the decision fixing the penalty to be imposed. A copy of the decision shall be promptly delivered to the player and to the SLTA local tournament officer to keep in records. The decision of the SLTA committee will be final.

ARTICLE V: TOURNAMENT OFFENCES

A. APPLICABILITY
This Article shall apply to all local tournaments.

B. GUARANTEES
The owner(s), operator(s), sponsor(s) or agent(s) of an ITF Junior Circuit Tournament shall not offer, give or pay money or anything of value, nor shall such a tournament permit any other person or entity to offer, give or pay money or anything of value to a player, directly or indirectly, to influence or guarantee a player’s appearance at a tournament. Violation of this Section shall subject the tournament to disqualification/de-graded.

C. CONDUCT CONTRARY TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME
No tournament, or any owner, promoter or operator thereof, shall engage in conduct contrary to the integrity of the Sport.
Violation of this Section shall subject the tournament to be degraded or disqualification.

D. DETERMINATION AND PENALTY
The final decision of such situation will be determined by the SLTA general committee.

ARTICLE V: INTERPRETATION

A. Local tournaments: -means any local tennis competition held within Sri Lanka. This includes all trail matches held for various tennis competitions overseas. 

B. SLTA general committee: - means any subcommittee/s appointed by Sri Lanka Tennis Association general committee.

ARTICLE V1: RESPONSIBILITIES

Referees Duty:-
At the end of all local tournaments the referee shall attach an offence report to the referees report. It should include all penalties imposed under the code of conduct. A list of any penalties imposed shall be posted during the tournament on the competitors’ notice board, and shall be updated on a daily basis.
If any serious incident occurs during tournament, which the referee determines that it is particularly injurious to the success of the tournament and to the sport, he /she should immediately report it to the local tournament coordinator at Sri Lanka tennis association.

Local tournament coordinators Duty:-
Local tournament coordinators shall examine the penalty reports and deduct ranking points according to Article 111, W.  If a player has obtained 50 suspension points he/she should be suspended only after the approval of the SLTA general committee, where the player will be informed in writing. This should be done within 2 weeks of the player obtaining 50 suspension points.   

SLTA General committee:-
SLTA General committee has the sole authority to penalize any player violating the code of conduct.