The Final Word: Let Love

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...

I was sure that I knew when to use the “Let” call. That was, until your answer explaining its origins. That answer rather confused me.

I believed that “Let” could be called not only when the ball touches the net during the serve (and is not otherwise considered a fault) but also a variety of other reasons, like broken ball or a ball or other obstacle getting on the court while a point was in progress, etc. etc.

Since Let is actually French Filet (Net), it looks like the Let call should be called only for that particular reason (that is net). Would you please comment on this?

KAUFMAN:  Tennis has taken liberties when using the term let.  It was originally only for serves that hit the net and landed in the proper service box.  The term was expanded to mean replaying any point.

I offered an opinion on the origin of the word “let.”  One of our readers (Larry) offers an additional explanation that also may have some merit:

Larry

“It's my understanding that the derivation of "let" is different from the one you mentioned in your most recent email communication.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word "let", defined as "hindrance", is derived from the Middle English verb "letten" to hinder, the noun form being "lette".  This, in turn, is derived from the Old English word "lettan", to hinder.  Ultimately, the root word is "loet", to slow.  Nothing to do with the French language!”

P.S.  I enjoy your column. 

KAUFMAN: Thanks Larry.   I am not sure about your thoughts on the French language.  The original game came from France. Your explanation does make some sense since the act of the ball hitting the net “hindered” the direction of the serve and “slowed” the ball upon contact with the net and thus should not be considered an acceptable service delivery.

Bill C. (from Birmingham, AL)

OK, you gave us the origins of "let" and "love."  Now, how about our arcane if adorable scoring numerology:  Why is it "15," "30" and "40"?

KAUFMAN: It is a bit of a mystery. 

Some of my British friends say it resembles a clock for scoring.  Every quarter of an hour is a point for the scorekeeper with deuce being at 40, then ad at the 50 mark. 

Henry VIII had the scoring system of Royal Tennis on a circular looking device that looked like a clock.

My French friends say it was a betting mechanism.

Sorry, no one I know has a definitive answer.

Christine & David

Can you advise what determines the next server of the set following a tiebreaker?

KAUFMAN:  Whoever served first in the tiebreak, the same player (team) who also served the first game of the set, receives to start the next set.

John T.

In which court is the first point of a tiebreak served?

KAUFMAN: The deuce court.

Albert

How much movement is allowed by server's partner at the net so he can influence the return of serve? What is he allowed to do? What is he not allowed to do?

KAUFMAN: At no time may a player make any motions/sounds (waving racket, stomping feet, yelling out, making sudden drastic movements) that could hinder the opponents.  The server’s partner must no commit any act that could be deemed as a hindrance as defined in the sentence above.

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