The Final Word: Settling Scores

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...

Tim H. (from La Grande, OR)

I coach our high school tennis team, and it is fairly common for the players to lose track of the score. How should this be settled? Should they go back to a score that they can both agree on, or should the last called score be considered correct?

KAUFMAN: You can play from an agreed score. You can also agree on some points and disagree on others. On the points that you disagree on, you can then replay the points from the side of the court of the disputed points.

For instance, I think that it is 40-15, and you think it is 30-all. We both disagree on who won the first point of the game. We agree on all other points. 

We then replay that first point of the game from the deuce side of the court, since the first point of the game is played from the deuce side of the court. If I win the disputed point, the score is 40-15; if you win the disputed point, it is 30-all. The next point we play after that would again start from the deuce side of the court, since at 40-15 and 30-all, the point is played from the deuce side of the court.

Sherif K.

Sara, my 9-year-old, asked, "How much time does one have to call a ball out?" She received two different answers from two different pros, so there must be an explanation. Thank you in advance.

KAUFMAN: The call must be immediate. If it is on a clay court, then maybe an extra moment is necessary to make the call. Once the ball has crossed the net toward the opponent, that is too late.

Tom C. (from Sacramento, CA)

There are communication and power lines suspended about 25 feet above the outdoor court. A player lobs, the ball touches and is deflected by a wire, and lands on and within the lines on the opposing court. Does the player who lobbed the ball lose the point? Is the point played over, or is it still in play?

KAUFMAN: If the ball hits the power lines, the player who hit that ball loses the point, no matter where the ball lands.

Nick F.

May a player throw his or her racket to make the ball go in? What if the racket thrown goes over the net, but the ball still lands in?

KAUFMAN: The racket must be in the hand of the player when contact with the ball and racket is made. You may not throw the racket at the ball in an effort to hit the ball.

Angela Y. (from Huntsville, AL)

Is there a rule that states that players must change sides after a set ends with scores that add up to an odd number, such as 6-3, and not change sides when the scores add up to an even number? If such a rule exists, what is its purpose?

KAUFMAN: When games add up to odd numbers, the players change ends, even after a set is completed. The purpose is to be certain that players play from both sides of the court equally.

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