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...
From Douglas N.:
Is there a rule that prohibits a player from taking a water break when it isn't time to change sides?
KAUFMAN: Play must be continuous. A quick sip of water very occasionally and quickly back to play when there is no break is for the most part, OK. It should not happen on a regular basis and technically is not permitted. Taking water breaks when there is no break in play may be deemed Delay of Game.
From Alan (Nevada):
After a tie break, do you change ends from the side you started the tie break or from the side you are at when the tie break ends?
KAUFMAN: Change ends from the side you ended the tiebreak.
From Mark S. (California):
In the official rules of tennis it states "the player winning the toss may choose or require his opponent to choose: a) the right to be Server or Receiver...or b) the end....
Does this mean that if I win the toss I can "defer" and require my opponent to make his choice of serving or receiving, or the end?
KAUFMAN: Yes, you may make your opponent make the initial decision of serve, receive, or side.
From Mary (Arkansas):
We were in the middle of a USTA match, 30-40 our opponents' serve. The opponent's cell phone rings in the middle of me returning serve which I missed due to distraction. What is the rule?
KAUFMAN: In a sanctioned event, the referee may ban cell phones. If posted no cell phones, then the opponent may claim the point due to hindrance.
Otherwise, if a cell phone goes off, the player whose phone is ringing cannot call a let. A player cannot hinder himself. If the opponent stops immediately and calls a hindrance, the point should be replayed. If the opponent asks the player to turn off the phone and then the phone goes off again during a point, it could be deemed intentional hindrance, loss of point.
Matches cannot be delayed for cell phone calls.
From J.S. (Illinois):
Is it legal for the receiver's partner to stand in the receiver's service box and wave her racket during the server's motion, then move out of the box when the ball is struck?
KAUFMAN: Players may not make motions that are meant to intentionally distract the opponent.
The receiver's partner may stand anywhere, even in the service box. Once the receiver's partner takes a position, he/she should remain there until the ball is struck. If the receiver's partner moves away before the ball is struck then it could be deemed that the only reason they took such a position was to hinder the server, and that is not allowed.
Waving your racket or stomping your feet is not permitted.
Have a question? Send it along with your name and town to FinalWord@USTA.com
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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