USTA Kansas Highlights Key Rules

Tennis is all about having fun, and it’s the most fun when everyone can agree upon the rules. USTA Kansas will be highlighting some key rules over the next few months. So, the next time someone asks “what does the rulebook say about this?” you will have the answer.

Making Calls Promptly

A player must make all calls promptly.  A call must be made either before the player's return shot has gone out of play or before an opponent has an opportunity to play the return shot.  

Prompt calls will quickly eliminate the "two chances to win the point" option that some players practice. 

Example: a player is advancing to the net for an easy put-away and sees a ball from an adjoining court rolling toward the court.  The player continues to advance and hits the shot, only to have the supposed easy put-away fly over the baseline.  The player then claims a let.  The claim is not valid because the player forfeited the right to call a let by choosing instead to play the ball.  The player took a chance to win or lose and is not entitled to a second chance.  

When in doubt over any rules of the game, consult Friend at Court. It's the book of rules and regulations under which tennis is played in the United States.