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Racketlon is a sport in which you challenge your opponent in each of the four racket sports of table tennis, badminton, squash, and tennis. A Racketlon match contains four sets, one for each sport. Each set is played to 21 points, much like in table tennis, but the overall winner of a Racketlon match is not the one that wins most sets but the one that scores the most points in total.

The winner is the best all round racket player.

 

In Racketlon a player competes against an opponent, or a doubles pair, in each of the four biggest racket sports: table tennis, badminton, squash and tennis.

One set is played in each sport, in the order from the smallest to the biggest racket. Each of the four sets are played with running score to 21 points, with a margin of two points needed to finish a set. In team competitions, however, the individual matches are played to 11 points.

Each player serves two serves at a time, and except in table tennis, this is always one serve from the right side and one serve from the left side of the court. Lots are drawn to decide who starts serving in table tennis, and this player will also start serving in squash.

The winner of a Racketlon match is the player or doubles pair who has won the most points in total. When a player leads a match with more points than there are points left for the opponent to obtain, the match is over.

If the score is tied after all four sports, a “gummiarm”-point is played. This is a single extra point played in tennis, with only one serve to start off the rally. Lots are drawn to decide the server, and the winner of this rally wins the entire match.

In doubles, the squash set is played individually. One player from each pair plays until someone reaches 11 points. From here, the rest of the game is finished by the two remaining players.

With the exception of the above-mentioned rules, all rules that apply to the four individual sports also apply for Racketlon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to play all 4 sports?

Yes you do, all 4 sports have to be played one after the other in order, like a triathlon. The order is smallest/lightest racket to biggest, i.e.: table tennis, badminton, squash, tennis. The final score is then tallied with each leg consisting of first to 21points. Exception to the rule is if one competitor has a lead of 22 points after the squash leg then the player has already won.

What if I cant play one of the 4 sports?

Then this will be a perfect time to try, you wont be the only one with this problem as there will be many who cannot play one or more of the 4 sports, but at least you will have fun. Many people have played in a tournament and held a racket for the first time and ended up loving the game.

What if all points are equal after the tennis?

Then the Gummiarm rule applies. The 2 opponents spin for who serves, winner decides to receive or serve. To offset the advantage of a server, they only get one serve (no second serve as usually given in tennis). The winner of that point then decides the overall winner.

What’s the basic rule of serving in Badminton?

The racket must connect with the shuttle at waist level or lower. The server may not serve in 2 movements, i.e.: swing back and then forward. They must start with the racket already in the backswing mode. Both feet must be in their service block and serve to opposite sides alternating after each serve.

What’s the basic rule when serving in Table Tennis?

In singles the server can serve to any side of the table they like as long as it bounces once before the net and once over. It can come off the side of the table. The complication comes on the servers side, the player has to cup the ball in the palm of their hand allowing full view of the ball, they may not spin the ball with their fingers before hitting it. The server  must throw the ball up slightly in the air. You must serve from behind the table, not over it and not from the side. You may put any kind of spin on the ball with your bat. If you miss the ball completely trying to serve it is then a point to your opponent.

What if I don’t have all the rackets?

Most of the tournaments will have some rackets spare to borrow or hire. There will be people on hand to give you advice on buying suitable rackets to start out.

What category would I play in?

A brief guideline to what category is for you: A section is for players who play 1 or more sports at an exceptional standard i.e.: National/State or high league level. Plus are able to play the others relatively well. B section is for players that play 1 sport at a reasonable level and can play the others a little. C section is for social players who play 1 or more sports occasionally, i.e. : any social players.

How do you decide the winner?

Each sport is scored equally to avoid confusion. Each leg is played to 21 points much like table tennis, and also like table tennis each person has 2 serves. Every point counts. At the end of the 4 legs the one with the most points wins, not the one who has won the most legs.

Is on the line in or out?

On the line is ‘in’ for table tennis (this will no doubt come of the edge of the table), it is ‘in’ in badminton and also ‘in’ for tennis. The only difference comes in when you play squash and the rule states that on the line is ‘out’.

What happens when my opponent gets in my way in Squash?

We can discuss this one till we blue in the face, but basically explained: The person about to strike the ball needs full access to the ball, if the opponent is blatantly in the way or does not attempt to give way, a stroke point is awarded. If he attempts to get out the way and has left access for the ball to travel to the front wall then a let will be given. If however the person going for the wall asks for a let, but there was no way they would have gotten to the ball, no let is given. Generally when you are not sure then always play a let, this is sportsmanship.