SIGN UP FOR THE 2026 LADDER HERE

Last year, 350+ players participated in the FGTA ladders. This year, we have five singles ladders:

  • Beginner (USTA rating 2.0-2.9)

  • Advanced Beginner (USTA rating 3.0)

  • Intermediate (USTA rating 3.5)

  • Advanced Intermediate (USTA rating 4.0)

  • Advanced (USTA rating 4.5+)

The 2026 ladder season runs from Friday, April 10 to Saturday, September 26 with an end-of-season tournament for the top 16 players from each ladder. We use a points-based ladder system, where players can advance their ranking based on match results.

We're starting earlier this year since our courts will undergo resurfacing from mid-May to mid-June. To kickoff the season, FGTA will host drill and play sessions exclusively available to ladder players during April and early May.

We also took your feedback from last year and decided to level up this year's ladder with a new platform, iTennisladder, that includes a free player app! This will make your ladder experience–from challenging players to inputting match scores–way easier!

The fee for each ladder is $110 for the season. This fee goes toward court maintenance, events, and tournaments. All ladder sales are final and nonrefundable.

You can only sign up for one ladder. If you’d like to change ladders, email ladder@fortgreenetennis.org

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You may issue 2 challenges at a time, and you can be challenged by 3 players at a time.

  • You may challenge up to 15 rungs above and below your position.

  • When another player challenges you, you have 2 days to accept or decline.

    • If you decline the challenge or don’t respond within 2 days, you lose 1 point.

  • When you accept a challenge, you agree to play within 20 days.

    • If a challenge is accepted and not played within 20 days, the player who was challenged will lose 1 point.

  • When you win a challenge, you get 3 points for beating a higher ranked player or 1 point for beating a lower-ranked player.

  • If you need to withdraw a challenge, email the ladder admins with your request (but please try to avoid needing to withdraw challenges as much as possible).

Match Play

  • COURT SIGNUP:

    • Ladder matches should be played in Fort Greene Park by default. (If both players agree, they can play at other courts.)

    • The challenger is responsible for signing up for the court.

    • Regular signup rules apply (NYC Parks tennis permit required; one hour of court time per player each day).

  • BALLS: The player who was challenged should bring an unopened can of balls.

  • WARMUP: Please limit your warmup to 5 minutes.

  • SCORING:

    • Ladder matches should be played as one regular set (no ad).

      • If you choose to play more than one set, both players must agree in advance and must play the match through, even if it requires scheduling additional court time. Use a 10 point tiebreaker in lieu of a full third set.

    • You must play for the full hour of court time if the match is not yet complete, and you cannot take more than a one minute break between games.

    • The challenge cannot end in a tie. If you are on serve with less than 10 minutes left, you must play a tiebreak on the next even game. Alternatively, you may finish the match another day, if the challenger prefers and schedules permit.

  • ENTERING SCORES:

    • The winner enters the score.

    • You must schedule matches through the iTennisLadder system. Ladder admins will not enter scores for matches that were arranged outside of the system or matches that were played after a challenge expired.

  • You must play at least 10 matches to qualify for the end of season tournament

Administration

Your ladder admins are Harinee and Nick N. Our aim is to keep participation in the ladder fun, friendly and fair. Ladder admins have the right to change rules at any time if we believe it's in the spirit of the ladder. We want players to stay active and engaged. Everybody's busy, but if you ignore challenges or don't make an effort to play, it's a bummer for everyone else. The Fort Greene tennis community is big and passionate. No other ladder in the NYC area comes close to our size. So take this opportunity to play a lot of matches and have fun!

If you have questions or need help with anything, email us at ladder@fortgreenetennis.org.