The Final Word - Calling Shots

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...

Tom (from Cleveland, OH)
Player "A" hits the ball prior to the ball crossing the plane of the net. Who is responsible for making the call? 

KAUFMAN: Player A.  That call is made the player who hit the shot before the ball crossed the net. See the USTA publication Friend At Court, The Code, page 54, #20 and #21 for calls made by players.

Captain Rob M, (U.S. Navy)
I was told, during a friendly mixed doubles match, a new rule has been instituted stating that only the person on that particular side of the net could call a let for a ball that rolled onto the court.  For instance, my partner called a let for a ball that had rolled behind the receiver just before my partner was to serve (as a matter of safety and concern that she may step on the ball...and we all know "nothing good happens from that"), but the receiver's partner stated, according to a new regulation, only they (receiving team) could call a let for a "stray ball."  Is this correct?  Thanks for getting back to me...that one just doesn't make sense if it is indeed a legitimate safety concern.

KAUFMAN: Anyone can call a let when a ball rolls onto the court from another court.  See the USTA publication Friend At Court, The Code, page 54, #19.

 
Mike (from Seattle, WA)
I was playing a sanctioned USTA 50's singles match with roving officials.   My opponent hit a shot that clearly was going out.   I called the ball out and signaled with finger pointing up in air.    Apparently I called it out too early as the official reversed my call, giving the point to my opponent, even though the ball was out.    Can an official reverse a correct call because you made the call before the ball hit the ground?

KAUFMAN:  The action of calling close balls too soon (just prior to the ball landing) is an incorrect procedure and technically the roving official could make such a call against a player.  This is especially true for a call made by the player way before the ball lands on the court.  None the less, if the call was correct (even though the call came too quickly and indeed the call came just prior to the ball landing on the court) I believe that this is not really a situation for a roving official to reward the opponent with the point upon the first instance.  Especially if the roving official was not on the court and maybe quite a distance from play. In my opinion, the roving official should immediately advise the player to wait until the ball bounces before making calls.  If this practice continues, then the rover may then deem this as a hindrance to play and act accordingly.
 

Dave M. (from Sea Colony Resort)
This fall I was involved in a match during the final match of the 5.0 Men’s Nationals in Palm Springs.  I was involved in a third set super breaker at #1 Doubles.  I was serving to the Deuce Court up 7-5 in the breaker.  I hit a long first serve that my opponent hit into the side fence of the court, I served my second serve.  Upon serving my second serve he returned the serve and announced that he was not ready and that I could serve another second serve.  It is my understanding that when you make an attempt to return a serve then you are deemed ready and you lose the point.  Or at the very least give your opponent two serves.  The roving umpire did not know the rule.  Fortunately for my team we ended up winning the National Title- but what is the correct rule.  Can the player return the ball and tell you they are not ready?  Thank you for your answer.

KAUFMAN:  Any serious attempt to return any serve forfeits your claim that you were not ready to receive serve.
   

Past Articles:
The Final Word: Better To Receive
The Final Word: "Let"s Just Play
The Final Word: Double It Up 
The Final Word: Double Hit