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 Catherine Y:
In a recent doubles match our opponents served to my partner. the ball was clearly long and hit my partner on the foot before hitting the ground. although we called the ball long our opponents took the point. we have asked several people and are getting mixed opinions on this. please help. also does the same rule apply if the ball is clearly "out" but hits the opposing player before the ground.
KAUFMAN: If any ball (during the service or a ralley) hits a player before it hits the ground, no matter where that opposing player(s) is standing and no matter how far out the ball was heading, that player/team loses the point.
Exception: If a service let hits an opponent before the ball bounces, then it is a "let" serve.
From Bill C. (New York):
In a doubles match, my partner was serving and on his first serve he hit me. Our opponents said we lose the point. Is this right?
KAUFMAN: It is a fault if the ball from the server hits his/her partner.
From Nicole C. (California):
In play a ball is volleyed and hits the opponent and then comes back over the net. Is the ball still in play?
KAUFMAN: You cannot hit the ball with any part of your body, only with the racket itself. If the ball touches any part of you (including your hand), you lose the point, even if it came off your racket before or after it touched your body.
From Martha F. (California):
When playing doubles, I hit a ball that hit the net post and bounced in on the opponents' side. Do I get the point?
KAUFMAN: On the serve, it would be a fault. During a rally, if the ball hits the post, and lands in the court, it is a legal shot. If you are playing singles with singles sticks, the singles sticks are now considered the post and the same procedure applies. With single sticks in place, a ball off of the doubles post is NOT legal. Essentially, the singles sticks are now the “posts.”
From Anh N. (Colorado):
When a player returns the ball outside of the net posts and it lands within the boundaries of the "legal" play area, does the ball have to be above the plane of the net to be a good return or can it be below the plane of the net?
KAUFMAN: It is legal to hit a shot during a rally around the net post. As long as the ball lands in the proper court it may travel very close to the court as long as the ball does not touch the court.
Have a question? Send it along with your name and town to FinalWord@USTA.com
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 | |