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 through a Q&A with USTA Director of Officials Richard Kaufman.
On to this week's questions and responses...
Q: I was recently involved in a dispute over the resumption of a match that was suspended because the lights went out at my local club. The club rules state that whoever is ahead when time runs out will be declared the winner. However, according to the official rules of tennis, how should a match like this be handled? Should one of the 2 players be declared the winner? Should the match be resumed on another day? If so how should it be resumed?
Rick (from Fountain Valley, CA)
KAUFMAN: The Rules of Tennis would encourage the match to be suspended and played to its conclusion ASAP. Some Clubs, even leagues sometimes have their own procedures when it comes to time limits or weather conditions that can halt matches and everyone participating must be in agreement prior to matches that those particular procedures will be respected.
Q: The code says that the person on whose side the ball is takes precedence when making a line call. It also says that the call of a player looking down a line is much more likely to be accurate. Is this just an empty phrase or does this actually mean that if I stand on the sideline and hit a ball down the line while my opponent is nowhere near that line, I may correct my opponent’s call one way or the other, or, make a call myself?
Andrey (from Jersey City, NJ).
KAUFMAN: No, you may not correct your opponent’s call. The Code is referring to looking down one’s own line, not the opponent’s line. Of the two partners, the player looking down the line has a better view. Players call the ball in or out on their own side of the court and either player on a doubles team may make the call even though it is written that one partner may have a better view than the other.
Q: I am still not sure regarding the ruling in doubles:
1. If the server hits their partner at the net:
2. First serve: is it a fault.....not a let?
3. Second serve: is it a fault, not a let, and you do not replay the serve? Or, is it simply a point for the other team on first serve if you hit your doubles partner while serving?
Edward ( Morganton, NC)
KAUFMAN:
1. If a server hits their partner, on either a first or second serve, it is a fault.
2. If it happens on a second serve, it is a double fault, loss of point.
3. If it happens on a first serve, it is a fault, second serve.
Q: Is it permissible to serve with one's right hand and play the remainder of the point with the left hand?
Along the same line, I wonder if it is permissible to switch from right handed to left handed during a point or during a match?
Joe - (from Woodbury, NJ)
KAUFMAN: A player may switch hands at any time during a point and throughout a match.
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 | |