When you book, the amount is reserved on your card and charged later: about 4 hours after your session ends, or 6 days after you paid if that comes first. So if you book more than 6 days ahead, you're charged 6 days after booking, before you play. This is normal and you haven't been charged twice.
Bookings: reserved first, charged later
This applies to court bookings, matches, activities, private coaching, league matches and league entries.
When you pay, the amount is reserved (held) on your card. Your bank may show it as pending.
It is charged at whichever comes first:
about 4 hours after your session ends, or
6 days after you paid.
Apple Pay and Google Pay work the same way as a card.
Charged straight away
Memberships, including each renewal.
Club wallet top-ups.
Paying for an Unpaid regular weekly booking, or another booking the club set up for you. If you were added unpaid to a court booking, match or activity, your payment is reserved and charged later like any booking.
Paid with a club wallet
The amount is taken from your wallet balance straight away. Nothing is reserved on a card.
Why 6 days?
Card rules only let a reservation stay on a card for a limited time. After that, it must be charged or released. Charging on day 6 stays safely inside that limit.
Why not charge after I've played?
Charging a saved card later doesn't guarantee the money is still available, and your bank may ask for an extra check that fails or goes unanswered. The club would then be unpaid for a court that was booked and played. Reserving the money when you book keeps the payment secure for everyone.
Good to know
You're charged in the club's currency. If your card uses another currency, your bank converts it.
The charge can show on your statement up to about an hour after the times above.
If you booked a court with Pay your part, the amount reserved is bigger than your share. See "Why was I charged more than my share of the court?".