Fall 2026 · Signups open
How the ladder works
A ladder is a ranked list of players. You climb it by challenging people above you and beating them. There's no fixed schedule: you and your opponent pick the court and the time.
Fall 2026
This season
Each ladder sets its own rules. These are the Fall 2026 settings, and the app always shows the rules for your ladder.
- Dates
- October 4 – December 27
- Price
- $65 for the season, paid once
- Divisions
- Up to 4.0, and 4.0 and up
- Refunds
- Full refund within 48 hours of paying
Start to finish
Your season, step by step
- Join your divisionPick the division for your level and pay once for the season. You start at the bottom of it and climb from there.
- Challenge an eligible opponentIn the app, challenge anyone up to 5 spots above you in your division. You can have one challenge out and one coming in at a time, so someone already answering a challenge can't take yours yet.
- Arrange a court and timeYour opponent has 48 hours to answer. Once they accept, agree a public court and a time between you in the app's chat.
- PlayPlay within 7 days of the challenge being accepted.
- Report the scoreEither of you reports it in the app. It counts right away; your opponent has 24 hours to flag it if it's wrong.
- Follow your rankingYour rung updates as soon as the score is in. Standings, results and a weekly recap are in the app.
Climbing
How rankings move
Beat someone above you and you take their spot. Everyone between you moves down one. If the higher-ranked player wins, nobody moves.
| Player | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Challenger (was #12) | #12 | #8 |
| Was #8 | #8 | #9 |
| Was #9 | #9 | #10 |
| Was #10 | #10 | #11 |
| Was #11 | #11 | #12 |
Deadlines
Deadlines and forfeits
Challenges run on a clock, so the ladder keeps moving.
- 48 hours to answer a challengeDeclining, or letting the 48 hours run out, counts as a forfeit. The challenger moves above you, exactly as if they had won.
- 7 days to play once acceptedIf no score is reported after the play window, the match is voided. Nobody moves.
- One challenge each wayYou can have one challenge out and one coming in at a time.
After the match
Reporting scores
- Either player reportsWhoever reports first enters the score in the app. The other player doesn't need to approve it.
- It counts right awayRankings update as soon as the score is in.
- 24 hours to flag a wrong scoreIf the score is wrong, the other player can flag it within 24 hours and Deuce reviews it.
More questions
What level am I?
Pick Up to 4.0 if you can rally at a medium pace and are still working on consistency, placement and net play. That is roughly 2.5 to 3.5. Pick 4.0 and up if you have a reliable serve, can change pace and spin, and cover the court well; most people who played high school, college or league tennis are here. Right at 4.0? Either works. Still unsure? Start in Up to 4.0. If it is too easy, you will climb fast.
Can I join after the season starts?
Yes, while spots remain. You start at the bottom of your division and climb from there.
Is this a subscription or a one-time payment?
One-time. $65 for the season (October 4 – December 27). You can get a full refund within 48 hours of paying, from inside the app.
Do I need the app?
Yes. You register here on the web, then download the Deuce app for iPhone for challenges, chat, scores and standings. Sign in there the same way you signed in here.
Find your rivals.
Pick your division and you're on the ladder.
Join the ladder