Have you ever had a dispute with a fellow player over a call on the court that you couldn’t settle? Or have you ever wondered why a certain ruling was made during a match you were watching? Maybe you’re just curious about how some scenarios, from the common to the ridiculous, are resolved.
The USTA constantly receives these types of questions from players and fans, so we figured it’s about time we provided a forum in which queries about rules can be answered. Thus, we present to you The Final Word.
Readers can send their burning questions about the rules of tennis along with their name and town to FinalWord@USTA.com. Each week, we will select submissions and supply the definitive rulings though a Q&A with USTA Director of Officials Richard Kaufman.
On to this week's questions and responses...
From Andy:
In singles tennis if a player goes to hit the ball after it has bounced once on his side and the ball hits the frame of the raquet and bounces straight up, can he hit the ball a second time as long as it doesn't hit the ground twice on his side?
KAUFMAN: A player is permitted only one swing at the ball. Any intentional second swing is not permitted. Sometimes, during the stroke the ball may hit the strings/racket two times. If the player did this in one motion and there is no attempt at an intentional second hit, then that is a legal shot. This rule was changed in the 1970s from no double hits, whether intentional or not, to the above procedure.
From Dana S (Florida):
My doubles partner and I were recently playing a womens' amateur match when the following occurred. My partner returned a shot and the opponent closest to the net (her partner was back at the base line) called "out." The ball had not yet bounced and her partner returned the shot for a winner. We meanwhile heard her yell "out" while moving into position for the next point, so consequently we were unprepared for the shot coming at us. We asked to replay the point and she didn't want to, saying she is allowed to say anything she wants on her side of the court. Her captain ended up telling her to replay the point but I am unable to find any rule that covers this although there must be one.
KAUFMAN: This is always an interesting case.
First, despite what some people think, there is no rule that says you cannot say 'out' or other words of communication to your partner, especially when you're at the net and the ball is coming in your direction. And because such communication would invariably occur before the ball has bounced, the claim that this could be mistaken for a line call doesn't hold water if everyone is paying attention. Communicating by screaming or yelling is not permitted at any time and could be deemed a hindrance no matter when it occurs.
The only time confusion could occur is in the case when a player said 'out' or another form of communication to his/her partner standing at the baseline at the time when the ball bounced. You were in the position to make a return of the ball and did so. In that case, saying "leave it" or "NO" would be preferable to saying 'out'. However, any word used when the ball lands on the ground or close to the ground when your partner hit the ball could be construed as a call.
If a player yells "out” at the moment or close to the moment their partner played the ball, it can be deemed a hindrance.
From Lynda R.
How many vibration dampening devices are legal and where can they be placed?
KAUFMAN: You may have multiple dampening devices on the racket, however, they must be set outside the last outside cross string on the side and top or bottom of the stringing pattern on the racket.
From Don S. (Maryland)
My opponent rushed forward to return the ball. After hitting the ball his momentum caused him to hit the net.
It is my contention that if contact is made with the net, then the point is awarded to the other side. What is the ruling on this one?
KAUFMAN: Once the ball has bounced twice or hit a permanent fixture (fence, wall, chair, etc) the ball is out of play. If your opponent touched the net after the ball was out of play, that is permitted. If he touched the net before the ball is out of play, he loses the point.
Past Articles:
Since 1997, Richard Kaufman has served as Director of Officials for the USTA and Chief Umpire of the US Open. He's an ITF Certified Gold Badge Chief Umpire and an ITF Certified Silver Badge Referee, and has been a USTA Certified Official since 1977. Kaufman has also worked as the Chair Umpire for the US Open men's final (1983, 1987, 1996), US Open women's final (1988, 1995), the Australian Open men's final (1987), the Wimbledon men's doubles final (1987), the French Open men's doubles final (1988), and the Masters Cup final (1985-96). | | The Final Word - Past Articles | |