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The Final Word: Making Calls

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...

Marvin and Laura (from Hawaii)

In doubles, if a receiver receives from the wrong side, what is the rule when continuing play?

KAUFMAN: In most cases in tennis, errors are corrected immediately. It is more complicated for errors in tiebreaks, and you can read the entire rule (Rule 27.Correcting Errors) in the Rules of Tennis.

Receiving is different. If the error is discovered during that game, the receiving order remains as altered until the conclusion of that game. The partners then resume the regular order of receiving in their next receiving game. Remember, all previous points stand when this occurs, and partners may alter receiving order at the start of every set. (That would include a match tiebreak played in lieu of a final set.)

Glenn G. (from Illinois)

At what moment is the ball first actually "in play"? Is it the moment at which the server strikes the ball, or is it the moment at which the serve lands inside the service box? In a doubles match, if the ball is "in play" at the instant at which the server strikes the ball, then in the rare occurrence when an errant first serve hits the server's partner without first bouncing, then shouldn't the serving team lose the point, rather than only be charged with a fault? After all, if a serve hits the receiver's partner without first bouncing, the receiving team loses that point.

KAUFMAN: In this case for the point to be “in play,” the ball must cross the net and have an opportunity to land in the service box.

When a first serve hits the server’s partner, it is a fault, not loss of point. The ball never crossed the net. It would be like serving the ball into the net.

If a ball crosses the net properly (no service let) and the ball then hits the receiver or the receiver’s partner before the ball lands, it is a loss of point to the receiving team. The ball on the serve crossed the net, and the receiving team did not allow the opportunity for the ball to land in the service box.

If on a let serve the ball touches a player on the receiving team before it lands on the court, it is a let, and the server repeats that serve.

Jim C.

I had submitted this inquiry some time ago to the USTA and received a terse answer. I have a copy of the "2004 Official Rules of Tennis." Unless something has changed in more recent editions, my point applies.

I call your attention to Rule 9. Choice of Ends & Service. I contend that 9.c. is ambiguous and subject to a couple of interpretations. It is a matter of semantics.

The point is that 9.c. can mean one of the following:
1. I win the toss, and I choose NOT to elect to serve or choose a court. Instead, I instruct my opponent to select an option from 9.a exclusively.
2. I win the toss, and I choose NOT to elect to serve or choose a court. Instead, I instruct my opponent to select an option from 9.b exclusively.
3. I win the toss, and I choose NOT to elect to serve or choose a court. Instead, my opponent has the option of selecting from 9.a OR 9.b.

KAUFMAN: Thanks for your question. For years, players have read too much into this rule and have come up with some interesting interpretations.

The rule (Rules of Tennis: Rule 9) is that if a player(s) wins the coin toss (racquet spin), that player(s) may:

1. Choose to serve or receive in the first game of the match, in which case the opponent(s) shall choose the end of the court for the first game of the match.
2. Choose end of the court, in which case the opponent(s) choose to serve or receive first.
3. To REQUIRE the opponent(s) to make one of the above two choices; that is to either serve or receive first OR to choose the end of the court to begin the match. The player(s) who won the toss initially and required that their opponent(s) choose one of the two above choices, now choose either end of the court OR to serve or receive, depending upon the opponent’s choice.

Ed O. (from California)

Two cases regarding self-officiated match code interpretation:

1. A legal serve is returned hard and near sideline for a winner. Server realizes he served a ball that had rolled from adjacent court, which was less lively than the ones they had been playing with, and after the point requests to do the point over. Should he get it over?
2. Just before a second serve, receiver calls time due to stray ball; server proceeds with serve. Does he get two serves or one?

KAUFMAN:

1. The point stands as played with the ball from the adjacent court.
2. If the server began his/her service motion and play is suddenly stopped due to outside hindrance, the server gets a first serve. If the server was not in the second-service motion and there is not a long delay between the first and second serve, then the server only gets the second serve.

Paul B. (from Florida)

What is the ruling when a ball falls out of the opponent's pocket and is a distraction?

KAUFMAN: You need to look at two scenarios – one without on-court officials and one with on-court officials.

If there are NO officials on court: If a ball falls from the pocket of a player or falls from the hand of the player during a point, that player cannot call the let since he/she created the hindrance. It is up to the opponent to call the hindrance and play a let. This call must be made immediately and not after the point has been played out.

If this happens continually, you should ask the player to take better care with the second ball.

If there are officials on court: The umpire will call a let immediately if the point is still in progress and warn the player that the next time it happens, it will be deemed a deliberate hindrance (even if unintentional) and loss of point.

Laurie K. (from Florida)

I am coaching high school tennis, and we are to use USTA rules. My question is that someone from a team we played was standing with one foot in the service box and then moving as the ball was being served. Could we call a hindrance?

KAUFMAN: The receiver's partner may stand anywhere, even in the service box. Once the receiver's partner takes a position, he/she should remain there until the ball is struck. If the receiver's partner suddenly and abruptly moves away before the ball is struck by the server, then it could be deemed that the only reason they initially took such a position was to hinder the server, and that is not allowed.

Note: The receiver may change positions to receive serve at any time prior to the serve and may even stand in the service box. Waving the racquet, making noises or stomping the feet is not permitted by any player.

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