The Knock Out with Consolation competition format has been presented by ITF.
What is a Knock Out with Consolation competition?
Knock Out with Consolation is exactly the same as a normal knockouts, only when players lose a match they go into a consolation knockout, guaranteeing all players at least 2 matches.
| TIME | PLAYERS / COURTS | SINGLES / DOUBLES |
| 1 day - 1 week |
8-128 players |
Singles or Doubles |
| AGES | TEAM / INDIVIDUAL | OBJECTIVE |
| 10-years-and-older |
Individual |
Competitive |
Structure of a Knock Out with Consolation competition
The following are some key tips for organisers:
COURTS AND PLAYERS
Minimum 16 players is best in a knockout, though byes can be given if you don’t have enough. Aim to have enough courts for the first round so that all or most first round matches are completed in 1 day
SCORING
Choose a scoring format. Best of 3 tiebreak sets works well. For younger players or if you have less time, play best of 3 tiebreak sets to 4 (44tb). Players score their own matches.
SCORESHEETS
Display and update 2 drawsheets - one for the knock out and one for the consolation event so players can see the draw and keep up with who wins and loses.
Activity
ORDER OF PLAY
Conduct the draw, if seeding players, keep them separate for the first round (see page 2). Once you have drawn your matches, give players a time to arrive and sign-in and play their matches. You may give different times to different players so that 50% of players arrive at 10.00hours and 50% arrive at 12.00 hours, allowing time for the first 50% of matches to be played and out of the way before the other 50% are ready to start.
AT THE END
2 winners are the winner of the knockout final and the winner of the consolation final. Note: Knock out formats are not recommended for starter players or those under 10 years of age.
Adapting the Format
Many formats can easily be adapted to suit players e.g. aged 10-and-under, mixed ages, teams and to be a more or less competitive event. To understand more about how to adapt competition to suit to the needs and lifestyles of the player, click here.
Applying Themes
Many competitions are more fun and easier to promote if they have a theme such as Davis Cup, Olympics or Family Day attached. To understand more about how to apply themes to competitions, click here.
EXAMPLE Knock Out with Consolation Competition
Click below under 'Related Links' for an example Knock Out with Consolation Competition format, including a sample to use.