What are Withdrawal Points, and when do I get them?

You get automatic Withdrawal Points for pulling out after the competition's withdrawal deadline (Appendix Six of the LTA Competition Regulations 2026):

The same applies if you refuse to play, or don't turn up for, a compulsory consolation event (or one you opted into).

No points when:

• you withdraw before the withdrawal deadline
• it's an 8U event
• you retire during a match through sickness or injury (as long as you didn't arrive sick or injured), or the Referee rules you unfit to play
• you're on the reserve list and withdraw before being told you're in the draw.

If you entered several events at one competition, you only get one set of points.

Suspensions: 10 Withdrawal Points in a rolling 12 months means an automatic suspension from all LTA sanctioned competition: 2 weeks the first time, then 3, 4 and 5 weeks for further sets of 10 in the same period.

Appeals: only on the grounds of exceptional circumstances (unexpected, unavoidable and outside your control, arising after the deadline), lodged within 14 days of the LTA's email. Withdrawing because you got into another competition, or because of an illness or injury you already had before the deadline, can't be appealed.