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The Final Word - Scoring

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...

Lynda (from Madison, AL)
Is there a time limit or code of etiquette for calling a ball out? I was playing doubles recently and did not hear whether the ball was called in or out and when I asked I was scolded by my opponents partner that it was improper for me to ask before she (her partner) got back to the service line.

KAUFMAN: All calls must be made promptly. On a point ending shot on a clay court, extra time may be necessary to examine the ball mark. In all other cases, calls must be prompt and immediate.

Susan A. (from Columbia, SC)
During a singles match my opponent called the score wrong (in my favor) while she was starting her serve. I hit the return into the net. She looked at me like she was expecting me to call the serve long. I did not see it long. I barely saw it at all because I was thinking about the score. I gave her the point and corrected her on the score. Could I have called a let because her score error totally distracted me?

KAUFMAN: Any serious attempt to return any serve forfeits your claim you were not ready. Once you started the point, that point must be completed. You then should discuss the score issue after the point has ended.

Benoit B. (from Livermore, CA)
I had a two part question about a singles tournament I just finished. My opponent and I had split the first two sets and by the 3rd set it was at 5-3 with him serving for the match. He started missing more of his first serves and seemed to take it out on me by questioning my fault calls. I felt like he was gaming me, so I asked the roaming judge to watch over the end of our set.

I ended up breaking him and easily held serve to bring it to 5-5. It was then that I noticed he was slowing it down between points on his serve. Two times the ball stopped about a foot from the back fence which was well out of his way. Both times he would still turn around and clear it forcing me to wait to do my second serve. However at the time -- even if he was gaming me in front of the attending judge -- I didn't think I could do anything about it. Now that the match is over, I've had time to think about it, and it disgusts me that he was more interested in winning then playing fair. So I wonder; could I have done anything to stop him from intentionally slowing down my service game?

Previously in the second set. I tried to serve and volley, but pushed off too hard on the slick court as the serve left my racket. That in combination with nerves led me to slip and take a tumble. I recovered as quickly as I could, and got up in time to see him net the return. It wasn't until after the point was over that he claimed it was his point because he thought I only dropped my racket (without falling) and it distracted him. I didn't agree because it was an accident and the racket was always in my hands. So since he didn't speak up until after the point was over, should it have been my point? If he had spoken in time, then should it been a let?

KAUFMAN: First, the receiver must play to the reasonable pace of the server. If the receiver is not playing to the reasonable pace of the server, an official may deem such action as unsportsmanlike conduct or delay of game.

Clearing balls that are not in the way can be deemed as gamesmanship. However if there is a slight delay between your first and second serve and you have not started your service motion, it is difficult to claim delay since there are no ball persons and it is a judgment call on whether a ball needs to be cleared.

The incident of you falling down on the court or the occurrence of having the racket come out of your hand during a point is not a hindrance situation.

If both cases were accidental, that is considered part of play and cannot be deemed a hindrance. If your racket or your body touches the net or invades your opponent’s court while the ball is still in play, you lose the point.

Tammy K. (from Charlotte, VT)
I was in the finals of a doubles tournament. My partner was receiving. The non-serving opponent complained that I was spinning my racquet before her partner's serve and that it was a hindrance. Her partner, the server, said she hadn't noticed.

My position was that 1) the ball wasn't in play, 2) she could not possibly claim hindrance since first her partner and then mine must hit the ball before she could and 3) racquet spinning seems to be done all the time, even by a receiving player, without hindrance being called.

My opponent called for a ruling by the Tournament Director before she would continue play. The Tournament Director wouldn't make a decision either way. I'm hoping you can shed some light for me on this matter. Thank you for your time.

KAUFMAN: Spinning the racket in your hand would not normally be considered a hindrance. If the spinning of the racket is exaggerated and done in such a way that the racket was leaving the player’s hand or the racket is moving through the air that would make it appear that a player was waving the racket, then that may be considered a hindrance.

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