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?
A. 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.