Single Elimination (Knockout)

Single elimination is the most widely recognised tournament format in racquet sports. Players or teams are placed in a bracket and compete head-to-head; the loser of each match is immediately eliminated and the winner advances to the next round. The tournament continues until one player remains unbeaten. This is the format used at Grand Slams, ATP/WTA Tour events, and the vast majority of competitive club championships.

Its appeal is simplicity: everyone understands it, it produces a clear winner efficiently, and it creates genuine high-stakes tension. The downside is that weaker players may be eliminated after a single match, which can feel unsatisfying at club level where the goal is often to maximise playing time.

• Players are placed into a draw of 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 (the next power of 2 above your entry count). If the number of entries doesn't perfectly fit, byes are awarded to top-seeded players so they skip the first round.
• Seeding is used to separate the strongest players so they meet in the later rounds rather than the early ones. The top seed is placed at the top of the draw, the second seed at the bottom, and so on.
• Each round halves the field. A 16-player draw requires 4 rounds (Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Final).
• The winner of the final is the tournament champion.

1. Set your entry deadline and confirm the number of players. Decide the draw size (round up to the nearest power of 2).
2. Seed the draw. Use club ratings, WTN, or recent results to rank your top players. Seed at least the top 25% of the draw.
3. Place byes. If you have 12 entries in a 16-player draw, the top 4 seeds receive first-round byes.
4. Publish the draw and notify all players of their first-round opponents, match deadlines, and any scheduling rules.
5. Set match format. Best of 3 sets is standard for a club championship. For time-limited events, consider a pro-set (first to 8 games) or Fast4 format.
6. Manage results. After each round, update the bracket and notify next-round opponents. Set clear deadlines for each round.
7. Schedule the final at a time when spectators can attend - this is the showpiece of your event.
8. Award prizes for the winner and runner-up. Consider a plate prize for the best-performing unseeded player.

Club championships, competitive events, larger fields where time is limited.

• Half your players are eliminated after one match. Pair with a consolation draw if you want to guarantee more playing time.
• Upsets in early rounds can mean the best players don't meet in the final. Good seeding mitigates this.
• Bracket sizes of 8 or 16 work best at club level. Anything larger than 32 is hard to schedule without fixed dates.