Tennis Défi Léman

Tennis Défi Léman, or TDL, is a Swiss app that promotes tennis in clubs and player communities around Lake Geneva in Switzerland and France. It helps players find partners, arrange matches and move up a ranking without adding to the club’s workload.

The project is led primarily by Laurent Sambo for the concept, network development, organisation and refereeing, and by Vagram Sayadov for software development.

Simple and accessible tennis

• Registration throughout the year from age 15.
• Challenges open to everyone and organised by playing venue.
• Friendly matches with no ranking at stake.
• Players can be found within each Challenge venue. In the Players tab, profiles can be displayed by distance, number of recent matches or recent login.
• Direct contact through WhatsApp to arrange matches.
• An online referee and local Ambassadors to support participants.
• A fully functional app available free of charge, with an optional Premium subscription offering additional features.

A regional network

Each Challenge venue keeps its own identity and ranking. The app also connects players across the region through friendly matches and the TDL community.

Joining a ranking

Each venue has its own ranking. A player may join a limited number of Challenge venues, according to the settings in the app, and have one active Challenge at each venue. New players start at the bottom. For their first Challenge at each venue they join, they may choose an opponent in the lower half of the ranking.

Starting and playing a Challenge

1. 1View the ranking, then select the filter icon to display “Players you can challenge”.
2. 2Ideally, contact the opponent through WhatsApp before challenging them to check their availability.
3. 3Once the Challenge has been sent, promptly offer the opponent several dates.
4. 4Agree the match date and format with the opponent, then book the court.
5. 5Play the match in a spirit of fair play.
6. 6Enter the score in the app.
7. 7Ask the opponent to confirm the result. The ranking is then updated.

How the ranking changes

When the lower-ranked player wins, they take their opponent’s place and the opponent moves down one position. If the higher-ranked player wins, the positions remain unchanged. Absent or injured players may continue to move down as other participants progress.

Rules that keep the competition active

• Only one active Challenge per venue.
• Two players may not face each other twice in a row without each playing another opponent in between. A walkover counts as a match for this restriction.
• Players in the top 1, 3, 5 or 10, depending on the venue setting, have a special obligation to play Challenges they receive.
• The Poker Move periodically allows a player to challenge someone normally out of reach, except for the protected top positions.
• Absence or injury must be reported in the app.

To cancel a Challenge, the player sends a request directly through the app. The opponent may accept it immediately; without a response, the cancellation is automatically approved after 72 hours.

Player profile

The profile allows players to add a photo and provide their identity, any official ranking, playing style and availability status. A comments field can also be used to describe playing level, availability or any other useful information.

Finding partners

Players can be found within each Challenge venue. In the Players tab, results can be sorted by distance, number of matches played or recent login. Location data is used only in this tab to find nearby players. WhatsApp contact then makes it easy to arrange a match.

Dynamic NTRP rating

The NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) is an international system for assessing playing level. In TDL, the rating ranges from 1.0 to 5.5. Initially set at 2.5, it changes with results and becomes more representative after about ten matches. It complements the local ranking and helps players find partners of a similar level without replacing official rankings.

Responsiveness and activity

An indicator calculated over the previous 90 days shows a player’s recent activity, taking account of Challenges, match volume and the variety of opponents faced.

History and Head to Head

Results are stored in the history. Head to Head shows the matches played between two players. Full access to this data is a Premium feature.

Coaches

Coaches are identified in the app by a “Coach” badge. They can add their experience, lessons, training camps and prices to their profile, gaining visibility among TDL players who can contact them directly.

Open match offers

In the Play tab, Create a match allows an available player to look for one or more partners for singles or doubles without contacting several people individually. The player enters the date, time and preferred level range and may indicate that a court is already booked, including the time slot.

Interested players can view the offer, respond and agree the match details directly. This feature makes spontaneous matches easier and helps players meet new partners.

Court availability at Vernier-Aïre

At TC Vernier-Aïre, TDL displays booked and available courts for the next 14 days, covering the full booking period offered by the City of Vernier. This exclusive view makes arranging matches much easier.

TDL is both an app and a community. A general WhatsApp community connects players from different venues. It complements the WhatsApp groups for each Challenge, which share local information, match offers, notable results and ranking updates.

Summary of the Tennis Défi Léman rules

• A mixed competition open to everyone aged 15 and over at Challenge venues around Lake Geneva in Switzerland and France.
• One active Challenge per player and per Challenge venue.
• A limited number of Challenge venues per player.
• When the challenger wins, they take their opponent’s place and the opponent moves down one position.
• The ranking is updated after the result is confirmed.
• Play on any surface, indoors or outdoors.
• The challenger chooses the format (1h or 2h), books the court and provides the balls. Players whose access to the venue’s courts is not included pay their share at the guest rate.
• Injuries and absences must be reported.
• Matches are self-officiated by the players.

Tennis Défi Léman rules

1. 1

   Spirit of play

   Every Challenge must be played in a friendly and competitive atmosphere.

2. 2

   Joining and leaving

   Tennis Défi Léman is mixed, open to everyone aged 15 and over, and accepts registrations throughout the year. Each player may join a limited number of Challenge venues, according to the settings in the app. Players may join or leave a venue at any time, but they lose their ranking at that venue when they leave.

3. 3

   New players

   New entrants start at the bottom of the ranking.

4. 4

   Role of the referee

   The online referee oversees the competition, answers questions and settles disputes. The referee’s decisions are final and sanctions may be imposed when necessary.

5. 5

   Eligible Challenges

   A player may challenge a higher-ranked opponent within a limit set by the referee and calculated as a percentage of the number of participants. Players marked absent or injured are excluded from this calculation. For their first Challenge at each venue they join, players may challenge an opponent in the lower half of the ranking.

6. 6

   Ranking changes

   If the challenger wins, they take their opponent’s place and the opponent moves down one position. If the challenged player wins, the ranking remains unchanged.

7. 7

   One Challenge at a time

   Each player may have only one active Challenge per Challenge venue.

8. 8

   Repeat-match restriction

   Two players may not face each other twice in a row without each playing another opponent in between. A walkover counts as a match.

9. 9

   Obligations for top players

   Players in the top group (1, 3, 5 or 10, as set by the referee) may not declare an absence or injury. They automatically lose a Challenge received if they do not play it.

10. 10

    Special Challenge

    A “Poker Move” is periodically made available, allowing players to challenge any higher-ranked player except those in the protected top group.

11. 11

    Ranking update

    The ranking is updated after both players confirm the result.

12. 12

    Match formats*

    • 1h format: one set to 6 games, optional no-ad scoring and a 7-point tie-break at 6-6.
    • 2h format: two sets to 6 games, optional no-ad scoring and a 7-point tie-break at 6-6. At one set all, the third set is replaced by a 10-point super tie-break.
13. 13

    Interrupted matches

    If a match cannot be completed because of rain, injury or the end of the booked court time, the players may resume it within 7 days or cancel it by mutual agreement.

14. 14

    Surfaces and playing conditions

    Challenges may be played on any surface, indoors or outdoors. A match may be postponed if the court is unplayable or unsafe.

15. 15

    Arranging Challenges

    Before sending a Challenge, the challenger is advised to contact the player through WhatsApp to check availability. Within 3 days of sending the Challenge, the challenger offers three varied time slots spread over the following two weeks. The players then agree in good faith according to their availability. If the challenged player does not respond, they lose by walkover.

16. 16

    Bookings and equipment

    The challenger chooses the format, books the court and provides good-quality pressurised balls, preferably new. Any player whose access to the Challenge venue’s courts is not included pays their share at the venue’s guest rate.

17. 17

    Injuries and absences

    Absent or injured players must indicate this in the app. They continue to move down the ranking when other players win their Challenges.

18. 18

    Match officiating

    Each player calls the balls landing on their side of the court. In case of doubt, the point is awarded to the opponent or replayed by mutual agreement. The usual rules of tennis apply in a spirit of fair play. Coaching is allowed and spectators are welcome.

19. 19

    Ambassadors

    Players appointed as Ambassadors by the referee represent a Challenge venue, answer participants’ questions and may moderate its WhatsApp group. As promoters of Tennis Défi Léman, they receive all Premium features free of charge.

An Ambassador represents a Challenge venue. The role is shown in the app by an “Ambassador” badge on the profile. Ambassadors welcome players, sustain local activity and liaise with the online referee. They are not expected to manage everything alone: decisions on rules and sensitive cases remain the referee’s responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Welcome new players and explain the venue’s specific arrangements.
• Encourage players to complete their profile, report absences and respond to Challenges.
• Recruit new participants to keep the ranking active.
• Lead by example by playing and taking part in the community.
• Run or moderate the venue’s WhatsApp group.
• Share updates, notable results and match offers.
• Facilitate friendly matches and links with other TDL venues.
• Know the rules and consult the referee whenever a case is unclear.

Welcoming a new player

1. 1Welcome the player and check that they have selected the correct Challenge venue.
2. 2Explain the difference between a Challenge and a friendly match.
3. 3Explain that, for their first Challenge at each venue they join, they may choose an opponent in the lower half of the ranking, then introduce the Poker Move.
4. 4Advise them to contact the intended opponent through WhatsApp to check availability before sending the Challenge.
5. 5Introduce the local WhatsApp group and the general TDL community.
6. 6Invite them to complete their profile and use the comments field to indicate their playing level and availability.

Keeping communication lively but light

The Challenge venue’s WhatsApp group works best with short, regular messages: a notable result, ranking progress, a close match, a new player, a rule reminder or an invitation to play. A little humour is welcome, provided that players are always treated with respect.

Ambassador benefits

Ambassadors receive Premium free of charge and may mark themselves absent when unavailable, unless they belong to the top group required to play at their Challenge venue. They receive support from the online referee and the materials needed to present, run and develop their venue.

The Express Challenge is a one-off, friendly event organised independently of the TDL app and the annual Challenge ranking. It is not officially sanctioned and does not count towards official tennis federation rankings. Players gather for a day of several short matches, usually singles and doubles.

• Around 8 to 16 participants, depending on the event and facilities.
• Several matches guaranteed during the day.
• Short formats to play more opponents and partners.
• Groups made as balanced as possible.
• A meal or social gathering when conditions allow.
• Can be hosted by a club whether or not it participates in TDL.
• A format adaptable to the courts, weather and number of participants.

The format is deliberately flexible. An event may include different numbers of singles, doubles or matches. This flexibility is part of the concept.

The Vernier Challenge began in 2019 as a personal initiative by Laurent Sambo, before he joined the TC Vernier committee. Its modest initial aim was to bring together about a dozen club players in a ranking run simply through a WhatsApp group and a Google Sheets table.

After joining the TC Vernier committee, Laurent Sambo created the first Express Challenges in 2020. The concept later spread to other clubs. Since 2026, a dedicated web app developed by Baris Dereli, president of Viry TC, has made these events easier to organise and present while preserving their history.

Over the seasons, the Challenge grew into an established part of TC Vernier. Vagram Sayadov, a very active player in the competition, proposed turning the concept into an app in 2025. This collaboration gave rise to Tennis Défi Léman and opened the model to other clubs and communities.

The app also introduced friendly matches, allowing players to play freely without changing the Challenge ranking. In their first full season, 2025–2026, they accounted for 150 matches at Vernier.

With 416 Challenges and 150 friendly matches, the 2025–2026 season totalled 566 matches, averaging more than one and a half per day. Friendly matches diversified play while maintaining particularly strong activity at Vernier.

Of the Challenges, 95 were decided by a super tie-break, nearly one in four. This figure reflects the large number of close matches played to the very end.