The Final Word: Distractions

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...

Joyce C. (from McLean, VA)

Here's the question:  the opponent hits the ball and in so doing her racquet goes flying off to the side, making a large noise and distracting me as I am about to hit an easy ball at the net.  I want to call a hindrance.  Can I? 

KAUFMAN:  Losing your racket accidentally in an attempt to play a shot is considered part of play and is not considered a hindrance.

Aaron E.

I looked through the rules but couldn’t find where this was addressed. What is the rule on intentionally hitting a player. I understand that its hard to prove but how many hard shots at your head/body constitutes a foul? I recently played a match that every time I approached the net my opponent would just hit as hard as he could right at me without any attempt to lob or hit a passing shot.
 
What can be done about this and is this specifically addressed in the rules? 

KAUFMAN:  There is not a lot one can do.  If the player says I am going to hit you the next time I get an opportunity and does so, that could be deemed unsportsmanlike conduct.  Just saying it could be a conduct penalty if there are officials.  Other than that, stay alert. There is no rule to prohibit a player from hitting the ball at their opponent at any pace.

Mary (from Connecticut)
 
If your opponent obviously hits the ball twice with their racket for example first it hits their frame, then hits their strings, is that an infraction? I've had this happen to me many times and wondered if one is allowed to call that or whether to continue play.  I've never actually stopped play because of an incident like this, but I was wondering if technically it would be your point if your opponent did this.

KAUFMAN: A player is permitted only one swing at the ball.  Any intentional second swing is not permitted.  Sometimes, during the stroke the ball may hit the strings/racket two times.  If the player did this in one motion and there is no attempt at an intentional second hit, then that is a legal shot.  This rule was changed in the 1970s from no double hits, whether intentional or not, to the above procedure.  Without an umpire, the player must call this infraction on oneself.

Alan R.

A player is standing outside the court and the ball inadvertently hits the player or his racket before it bounces; who wins the point?

KAUFMAN:  When standing outside the lines of the court, if a player is hit by a ball before it bounces or a ball hits their racket before the ball bounces, that player loses the point.

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