Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s bi-weekly feature in which everyday tennis players are given a forum to ask advice on the sport they love – and their fellow players will dish out advice. We’ll post a number of the best responses we receive to our question of the week. Please send any questions you’d like answered, or responses to "This week's question only, to Player@USTA.com.
| SEND YOUR TIPS TODAY | | This week's question from Mary S. of Chattanooga, Tennessee | "I am a singles player at the 4.0 level. My only problem pain-wise is that I keep losing a toenail or two during my season. And it is painful! I usually wear New Balance and Nike shoes. Am I wearing the wrong shoe? Are my shoes too tight or loose? I don't see this problem addressed anywhere. I hope to hear from someone who has had this same problem." | | Please share your advice with Mary S. by e-mailing Player@USTA.com and include your name and hometown. Got a question of your own? Send that along, too. | |
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READ OTHER PLAYERS' ADVICE
Last week’s question from Thomas O.
(Please note: There's no need to send additional responses to this question)
"Recently while playing a doubles match I poached and hit a ball that hit the ground then hit my opponents shin. The ball traveled from his shin and over the net without touching his racket. My opponent claimed the point was his, and it was some new USTA rule. Do you have any information on 'body shots'?"
PLAYER RESPONSES
From Jim Lawson, Mid-Atlantic Section, USTA RefereeThere is no new rule for 2006. See
Friend At Court (FAC) R 24 (h) P.20 - Rules of Tennis: “Player loses point: The ball in play touches the player or anything that the player is wearing or carrying, except the racket.”
From Rob L. of Menlo Park, CA
A ball has to hit a racquet to be a bona fide hit. A ricochet (or any other type of shot) off a body part does not count as a legal shot. Otherwise, it would bring a whole new meaning to playing with tennis balls.
From TW
Don't be duped. As soon as the ball contacts anything on your opponent, except his/her racquet, it’s out of play. Period. End of point.
*Please note that any advice given out in this forum should in no way be confused with actual medical advice. Before starting any new exercise regimen or altering your existing one, we strongly urge you to consult with your regular physician.
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