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...
Matthew B (from Fort Lauderdale, FL)
May a player use powdered chalk or sawdust to keep hands and or grip dry?
KAUFMAN: Yes, players are permitted to use chalk or sawdust to keep their hands and grip dry. Recently, new improved grips are available to buy that work without the need of a drying agent.
Scott K (from Atlanta, GA)
While in a USTA match, with no officials:
The rules of tennis state that the person losing a ball out of his pocket during a point cannot call a let. Only the opponent may do so. This seems to apply to a singles match situation. In doubles can one’s partner call the let for a ball on the court out of their partner's pocket accidentally on the first occurrence?
KAUFMAN: In a match with no officials, a player and/or a team may not call a let when a ball falls from the pocket of that player or either player on a doubles team. A player or team may not create their own hindrance.
In an officiated match, a let would be called by the umpire on the first occurrence, and then it would be loss of point due to hindrance on any future occurrences.
Gary C.
Which takes precedent--the server's right to serve at his/her own pace, or the receiver's right to take his full 25 seconds between points?
KAUFMAN: In most events (with the exception of collegiate events) the receiver must play to the reasonable pace of the server and may not take 25 seconds between points.
Den (from White Plains, NY)
If a match is refereed, can the players still make calls, or only the referee, line judge, etc?
KAUFMAN: In a match with a chair umpire and line umpires who are calling all of the lines, players are not permitted to make calls.
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). |
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