Can you call a let for a sneeze? Can you ask your opponent to remove their bright neon yellow jacket because it’s distracting?

Now is your chance to ask all those burning league questions.  We’ll get you the answers, or will your question be the one to Stump The Ump?

You’ve read his Court of Appeals column in Tennis magazine, and now Rebel Good is coming to WWTA! Rebel Good has officiated tennis for close to 30 years. and has worked at more than 20 US Open events, two Olympics and numerous Davis Cup and Fed Cup events.  Can you stump Rebel with your question?  

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right! (Part 2)

In the 4th game of a set, my partner and I inadvertently switched receiving sides and we realized this after the first point of the game.  Do we make the correction for the next serve (meaning one player will receive two in a row) or do we finish the game that way?  We know that the point stands but when and how do we correct?

Wait until the start of the next game you are receiving before correcting (Rule 27.e.)

Instant Replay!

In doubles during a long rally a player is running back to their baseline to get to a lob.  A stray ball from another court rolls onto the court near the feet of the player.  The player’s partner calls “let” just before the lobbed shot drops a foot long.  Since a “let” was called, would play be stopped immediately and the point replayed?  Or, should the team that lobbed long concede the point, since the point was certain to have been lost by them?

The opponents could concede the point, but are under no obligation to do so.  The “let” call stopped play.  Note that had the opponents called the let they would have lost the point because their shot eventually landed out.

Choose Your Words Carefully on the Court!

I was playing doubles. My partner and I were both up at the net.  Our opponent hit the ball and as it was coming towards us I said to my partner, “It’s going out.”  Neither one of us made a play on the ball and it did land out by several feet, so we then called it “out”.  Our opponent said that it was their point because I couldn’t say the word “out” before the ball bounced outside of the court.  I disagreed and said I can say whatever I want to my partner when the ball is coming towards us.  Who is correct?

It is your point because the opponents were not hindered by your speaking to your partner.  Their shot landed out and they never had a play to make.  But, for the future you might want to consider another phrase that can’t be misinterpreted.

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right!

In a Combo match after six points had been played in a set tiebreak my partner realized we weren’t on the correct sides — she was receiving in the ad court and me the deuce. We identified our error and switched back, but the opposing team said we couldn’t, that we had to play the rest of the tiebreak in our “wrong” positions. Otherwise, they said, we would have an unfair advantage because the ‘stronger player’ would now be returning serve twice in a row. We know “all points played in good faith stand,” but should we have switched back or stayed put?

Answer:  Under Rule 27.3., once you played a point when you were lined up wrong, your team must continue receiving in the “wrong” court until the end of the tiebreak. When you start the next set you can receive in any order.

Receiving Team Hindrance Hijinks?!

In a doubles match, I was serving to my opponent on the deuce side.  Her partner was standing right at the “T”— which I know is legal.  But while I was preparing to serve, she would wave her racquet across the center line into the deuce side.

Is this legal or could I call a hindrance?

A player is not allowed to wave their racquet “solely to distract” their opponent (The Code, #35).  So when she does this, stop and ask her why she’s waving her racquet like that.  Generally, that will put a stop to it.  If she doesn’t quit, claim a hindrance . . . and wait for the argument.

Knowing the Rules Can Make or Break You!

Playing a third set tiebreak, 8-7.  The wrong partner serves and nobody notices, winning the point, 9-7. The wrong partner then serves a fault to the deuce court, at which time the receiver realizes the error. The server says because she had already served the first ball that she must be allowed to serve the second. She serves and we lose the tiebreak and the match.  The server in this case was much stronger on serve as we were routinely breaking the player that should have been serving.  What is the rule?

Rule 27.c. is clear on this situation.  When the mistake was discovered after the first-serve fault, the correct server should have served a second serve.  However, you allowed the incorrect server to continue, lost the point and the match. Next time, stand your ground.

Communication is Key On the Doubles Court!

My partner hit a ball close to the baseline that was in by about 5 inches.  While the ball was still in the air the non-hitting partner on the other side called “out” to his partner.  At this point the ball was very close to landing.  The hitting partner played the ball as good.  My partner and I stopped playing, thinking that they called it out.  The ball came over the net on our side and we made no attempt to return it.  The other team tried to claim the point since we stopped play.  The out call and the hit were very close in time.  We argued that this was a hindrance.  Who’s right?

You were, for either of two reasons. Either they reversed an out call to good by playing the ball, which results in loss of point under (The Code, #12), or you were hindered by the out call and stopped play immediately (The Code, #34).  Doubles partners should use words/phrases like “no” or “let it go,” not “out,” unless they mean to call the ball out.

End of the Court Confusion??

I served the first point of the tiebreak from the north end. I was on the south end for the last point of the tiebreak. When we started the second set we agreed that my opponent should serve first because I had served the first point of the tiebreak. What we couldn’t agree on is what end of the court he should serve from. He said he should serve from the opposite end of where he finished the tiebreak. I thought he should serve from the opposite end of where he started the tiebreak. Who was right?

He was.  When you finish a tiebreak, change ends before you start the next set (Rule 10) because the previous set ended on an odd game. Forget where you started. It’s where you finished that counts.

Tennis Ball Drops out of Your Pocket During Play??

During play, our opponent’s extra ball in her skirt fell out and her partner called a let.

Is this allowed?

No.  A player cannot hinder herself.

Be Careful Calling A Double Bounce….

Recently, we had the Double Bounce situation on our court.  I was the player who almost had a double bounce, but I was certain I got to the ball before it bounced the 2nd time and so I played on without saying anything.  When my opponent went to return my shot, SHE stopped play and said my ball had bounced twice and since I didn’t clearly say “GOT IT” or “NO DOUBLE” when I hit the ball, to alert the opponent that I was playing on, she could stop play and argue that it was a DOUBLE HIT. I argued that only after the point could she question if I had a double hit, but that it was my call to make and I was not required to announce that the ball remained in play.

I would think I am only required to speak if I am stopping play because I know I DID hit a double bounce and am conceding the point.  Who is correct here?

You are.  When your opponent stopped play, not returning your good shot, it was your point.  And nothing requires you to speak during a point.  You can even make a call with your finger without speaking.

Does That Point Really Count??

I was playing doubles and my opponent was serving.  I called the serve out, but my partner didn’t hear me and my opponents acted like they didn’t hear either.  We played out the point and we ended up winning the point.  It was game point, so we switched sides and during the changeover my opponent admitted that she had heard my out call.  She told me that since I called it out and then played out the point, it was their point.  Who was right?

If everyone ignored your call, including you, and everyone played out the point then the point stands.

.

Disputing Scores or Dishonesty in Tennis??

My partner was serving.  She was clearly calling the game score because our opponent had specifically asked us to call the score very clearly because our opponent said she was deaf and had to lip read.   Before the last point, I clearly remember talking about a strategy to my partner who was standing on the ad side.  The point was very long, we won it, and we called the game.  The deaf opponent disputed that it was game and said we had just served to her partner.  I specifically remember my partner serving on the ad side and we were both able to recall the last 3 points.  Our opponent refused to agree.  Her partner stood there in silence.   Our opponent said the rule is if you don’t agree, you go back to the last point you remember.  To top it off, after saying initially we had just served to her partner (making it ad in for us), she wanted to start the game over or go back to deuce.  Her partner said that she thought it was at least ad in (for us).   After arguing for 15 minutes, we conceded.  We were so upset we ended up losing the game.  I know there is a rule that says if you can’t remember then go back to the last point you remember and I’ve done that when no one could recall the last few points and there was confusion all around.  But WE DID specifically remember, we called the score and we were serving.  We thought we should get the game.  After all, what prevents someone claiming they don’t remember to take away game point?

Tennis is a game based upon honesty.  If players are determined to be dishonest, whether through bad calls or through manufacturing scoring disputes, the only real solutions are to get an official or refuse to play, which would mean defaulting the match.  Having said that, in a true scoring dispute the preferred option is to replay only the point or points that are in dispute.

.

Does The Point Count If Players Forget To Change Ends??

In the middle of a second set 7 point tie break,  I am leading my opponent 4-1.  It’s his turn to serve.  He loses the point and it’s now 5-1.  Neither of us remembered to change sides at 4-1.  He then approaches the net and points out that we forgot to change sides.  I acknowledge it and we start to change sides but he then says that the last point doesn’t count and that we have to replay the point.  I contest it because I’ve never heard that before and I doubt he would say that if he had won the point.  Who is right?

You are. Change ends and all points played stand.

.

Are Your Opponents Hearing Things?

During a doubles match, our opponents claimed they thought we had called a let during a point and therefore had to replay the point (which we had won). We had not called a let, and neither of us had heard anyone call one.  Should we have honored the request for a let/replay?

If you did not call a let, nor made any sound that could reasonably be interpreted as calling a let, then the request should be disallowed and you win the point.

.

Check Up on Checking Opponents Ball Mark!

My team called a ball out at the baseline. The opponent disputed it and a disagreement ensued. The opponent then walked to my team’s side all the way to the baseline and circled in the clay where she believed the ball landed. Wrong mark, but my question is, isn’t it a rule that you can’t cross over to your opponent’s side of the court?

If an official were present they would have issued a Code Violation for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.  A player should never cross to the opponent’s side to check a ball mark.

Racquets Flying Through the Air, Oh My?!

During a recent league doubles match I was serving. As my opponent was following through on his return his racquet accidentally flew out of his hand and landed pretty far away across the court,  still on their side of the net. This was not just a quick racquet drop. Contact with the ball was completed before the racquet left his hand, and neither opponent made any verbal noises that could be considered a hindrance. My partner and I instinctively watched the racquet flying across the court rather than the ball and  lost the point. Would this have been grounds for a let?

Never!

Are you allowed to serve like that??

One of the 4.0 rated singles players that I play against periodically likes to serve underhanded once in a while. That’s fine, except that sometimes he will fake an underhanded serve, causing me to charge toward the net, then go into his regular service motion and hit a first / traditional type of serve. By that time I’m probably six or 8 feet inside the baseline and have little to no chance of returning that first serve. As an aside, there is a slight hitch in his service motion when he goes from faking the underhand serve to his regular service motion, but nothing terribly extreme.  Is what he’s doing within the rules? And if so, am I allowed to just call a let every single time he does that so that I can get back into my slightly behind the baseline receiving position?

If his service motion is continuous it would be legitimate.  If he fakes one motion and then changes to another it’s not.

Volley lovers, watch out for that net?!

So, my opponent hit a powerful forehand drive into the net.  I was prepared to volley.  The ball pressed into the loose net on his side and extended in the net towards me and hit my racket.

What’s the call?

You lose the point because you struck the ball before it passed the net.

When NOT to ask for score clarification?

My partner was serving at 15-15.  Our opponent returned serve back to my partner.  My partner then hit the third shot of the game cross court to our opponent.  She caught the ball and proceeded to say that my partner had called the score wrong claiming it was actually 0-30 (she was wrong about that).  We talked through the prior points and could not agree on the score.  I know we should have spun the racquet to determine the score since we could not agree, but what is the ruling on the point she stopped?  It seems like that should be our point.

It is your point.

Was it a Let or a Lob That Went Long?

In doubles and during a long rally, a player is running back to their baseline to get to a lobbed shot, when a stray ball from another court rolls onto the court near the feet of the player.  For the safety of the player, the player’s partner calls “let” just before the lobbed shot drops a foot long.  Since a “let” was called, would play be stopped immediately and the point replayed?  Or, should the team that lobbed long concede the point, since the point was certain to have been lost by them?

Replay the point. The let was called while the ball was in play and the player calling the let chose to claim the hindrance rather than wait for the ball to land. 

What Happens when you hit the Net Posts?

I was playing the other day and my partner’s ball hit the side metal net post at the top and landed in my opponent’s court.  My partner thought the point was ours but the opposing team said that the net post is a hindrance and it is their point.  Who is correct?

Your partner.

Here Comes the Serve, Ready or Not?

During a doubles’ match, it’s obvious that Mr. Voyeur is quite interested in what’s happening on an adjacent court.  I’m serving to Mr. Voyeur’s partner (who is ready).  Even though Mr. Voyeur is leaning on his racquet and watching the other court, I choose to proceed.  And, I serve a fast, flat ace that catches the service line.  Mr. Voyeur says that we should replay the point, citing that he wasn’t ready to watch the line for his partner.

Your point.  If the receiver is ready, the receiver’s partner is presumed to be ready.

What’s the deal with Bathroom Breaks?

Bathroom breaks are a problem at the pro and recreational levels.   We understand that we can’t tell people when to go and when not to go, but we were wondering how we should handle this:  Between sets, my partner and I went to the bathroom and didn’t take too much time.  When we returned, one of our opponents decided to go to the bathroom and was gone for at least 15 minutes.     We mentioned the length of time and that she delayed going until after we were back (size of bathroom is not an issue) to her partner.  This person didn’t seem under duress or sickly.  Do we have any recourse for lengthy bathroom breaks and while we are at it, frequent bathroom breaks?  Seems like there should be clearer rules on bathroom breaks on all levels.

With no official monitoring there’s not much you can do. Players are allowed a “reasonable amount of time.” What’s reasonable? That’s open to debate. Next time why not ask your opponent how long they’re going to be gone. That might speed things up.

A note from WWTA:  For our area, bathroom breaks should occur at the completion of a set to be respectful of everyone’s time.  If a bathroom break is needed, players should immediately go to the restroom and return as soon as possible for the resumption of play.  There is likely not a good reason for delay and the allowed time between sets is 2 minutes.  Two minutes is likely not enough time to get to a restroom and back, however, within two minutes of completion of a set is plenty of time to determine if a bathroom break is needed.  Please be considerate of court time and other players’ time.

Can you and your partner switch back?

A set was won with Jane on deuce and Jill on ad.  They accidentally switched sides to start the second set and realized it after the first point was played.  Due to this being a new set, are they allowed to switch back to the sides they were playing in the first set?

No.

Change in Line Calls – Surface Matters?!

Doubles:  One opponent called a ball in. His partner called the ball out and pointed to a ball mark. The partner who called it “in” then changed his call to “out”.  They wanted to claim the point. We objected. What is the correct ruling if you are playing on clay and the ruling if you are playing on hard courts (sometimes there is a mark on hard courts)?

If playing on clay, the ball mark determines the outcome of the point. If on a hard court, it’s your point because your opponents disagreed on the call and must give you the benefit of the doubt.

Was the serve “in” or “out”??

During a recent doubles match I was serving.  While the opponent was returning her partner called the serve “out” then “in”, she saw the serve going long but because the serve had spin it landed in.  We claimed the point because the return went into the net. Our opponent wanted to call a “let” because her partner called the serve “out” then “in”.  Who is correct?

You are. Reversing a call from out to good results in loss of point (The Code, #12).

Can You Call a Let for Your Own Sneeze??

I was playing doubles and right after my partner served I sneezed into my mask that we are required to play in and the ball was returned right to me at the same time and I couldn’t react quick enough. Could I have called a let?

No, a player cannot hinder themself.

Is the Clock Really Ticking?

We were playing a doubles match and we felt that our opponents were taking too much time between points, at changeovers and between sets. We know that serving should be at the server’s pace, but they said that we were rushing them. The rules are there to be fair to everyone and to handle disagreements like these – so….

Between points? (assuming that you aren’t having to collect a lot of balls)? 25 seconds (Rule 29.a.)

Changeovers? 90 seconds (Rule 29.a.)

Between sets (120 seconds (Rule 29.a.)

Still In Play or Out?

I was playing the other day and my partner’s ball hit the side metal net post at the top and landed in my opponent’s court. My partner thought the point was ours but the opposing team said that the net post is a hindrance and it is their point. Who is correct? What if the ball had hit a scorekeeper that is on the next post and landed in?

The net posts are in play (except a net post outside a singles stick) and a ball striking a net post and landing in the correct court is in play (Rule 25.a.) A scoring device attached to the net post is a “permanent fixture” and a ball in play touching one is out (Rule 24.d.).

Know When It’s Your Call

Our opponents hit a ball that dribbled over the net. My partner got to it and popped it up and miraculously it went over the net, high and slow. One of our opponents immediately asked “wasn’t that a double bounce” to which my partner replied no and that it was her call. About that time they hit a lob over her head and I didn’t really go for it because of the conversation at the net. They tried to claim the point but we said that it was a hindrance because of the talking and technically it is our point. She said that once my partner said “no” the point should have continued and that the “hindrance” rule was removed because people took advantage of it.  We suggested that we wouldn’t give up the point but that we would replay the point (basically to keep the peace) and they agreed.

In our opinion, that was our point because of the conversation at the net that they started so a hindrance. She should have stopped the point if she wanted to argue the issue of the double bounce…which it wasn’t and that was our call. Who is correct?

It was your call. You properly simply returned the ball without saying anything as you got to it in time.  Your shot went to your opponents, who questioned your call, causing your partner to stop play. This is a clear intentional hindrance and loss of point by your opponents.

The Waiting Game

When I was on the baseline ready to serve, the opponents continued to stand together chatting for a couple minutes and I had to wait and it went on this way throughout the match. Should the game go at the pace of the server or can the opponents spend some time chatting and have the server wait?

In theory the receivers must play to the “reasonable pace” of the server, which generally is interpreted to mean that after 15 seconds or so the receivers must be ready if the server is ready. If there’s an official available they can enforce this rule (Rule 21). However, with no official you’ll need to use diplomacy to get your opponents playing promptly.

Ball Hits Net Post

I was playing the other day and my partner’s ball hit the side metal net post at the top and landed in my opponent’s court.  My partner thought the point was ours but the opposing team said that the net post is a hindrance and it is their point.  Who is correct?

The net post is part of the net. Any shot, except a serve, that hits the net post (in doubles or in a singles match played without singles sticks) is still in play and is a good return if it lands in the proper court. Same holds true for a shot (again, not a serve) striking a singles stick and landing in the proper court.

Who Can Make The Call

Our opponents hit a ball that appeared to be out but we both couldn’t call it with certainty. We asked our opponents if they saw the ball in or out since it was on the sideline where one of their player had a direct sightline to the ball. She said it was out so we claimed the point. She said that since we weren’t sure, we had to call it good. We didn’t argue and agreed to call it good, but felt that we should be able to go with her call. Who was right?

Under The Code, #11, you can ask your opponent for their opinion, and then their call stands. Also, under The Code, #13, a player is obligated to call their own shot out (except a first serve) if they clearly see it out.

Finger Signal Sufficient for Line Call?

Often when I say a ball is “out” I point my finger up to signal the ball is out in case my opponent doesn’t hear my call. One of my opponents said that I cannot point my finger up to signal the out ball and if I did it was her point.  I strongly disagreed. Who is correct?

If your finger-pointing is an “out” call, as opposed to guidance to your partner on a ball in flight, then your opponent has no valid claim of hindrance.  

Verbal Let?

I was playing doubles. My partner and I were both up at the net. Our opponent hit the ball and as it was coming towards us I said to my partner, “Its going out.”  Neither one of us made a play on the ball and it did land out by several feet, so we then called it “out”.  Our opponent said that it was their point because I couldn’t say the word “out” before the ball bounced outside of the court. I disagreed and said I can say whatever I want to my partner when the ball is coming towards us. Who is correct?

It is your point because the opponents were not hindered by your speaking to your partner. Their shot landed out and they never had a play to make. But, for the future you might want to consider another phrase that can’t be misinterpreted. 

Line Call Help

I was playing doubles on court #2 during a match recently. I was at the baseline. My opponent hit a shot deep in my side of the court near the baseline. Since it was close to the line, I was looking down at the court where the ball hit and determining whether it was in or out.  Before I could make my call a player from the opposing team on court #1 yelled  to us, “The ball was in.”  I saw the ball as out. If I say the ball was out, it now feels like I’m making a bad line call. If I say the ball was in, I feel like I’m capitulating to the player on court #1.  What should I do? Can the player on court#1 interfere in our match on court #2 with a line call?

If you saw the ball out then call it out. Then tell the players on the adjacent court to kindly keep their opinions to themselves during play.

Let the Serve Land

I was playing doubles and my partner was serving from the Ad court. The players on the opposing team were in the “normal” receiving positions with the player on the Ad side at the baseline to receive the serve and the player on the deuce side at the net. My partner hit an errant serve towards the net player on the deuce side of the court. The net player hit the ball back to us before it bounced on the ground and called “Out.” A let was not called.  I said, “I believe that’s our point because you are not allowed to hit the serve before it bounces and you are not the receiver. I also believe you (the net player) need to move out of the way of the serve so it doesn’t hit you.” Was I correct with that call?

Yes, a serve striking the receiver or receiver’s partner on the fly is a loss of point for the receivers.   

Order of the Day

If doubles partners accidentally switch receiving sides, they do not correct until next game receiving (must complete current receiving game as is and can correct next receiving game in that set)? So what about accidentally messing up service order? Server completes serving current game but partner now serves next service game? Do they serve twice to correct or just once?

Nope, if an error in service order is discovered you “correct immediately”(Rule 27.c.), unless the game was completed out of order, in which case the service order remains as altered.

Hearing Voices

My opponent hit a shot and, thinking that her ball was going out, commented on hitting it out, loud enough that we also believed the ball was going out. My partner and I stopped play based on her comments. The ball ended up landing in. We felt that it was our point since she talked during the point, no matter what she said. She agreed that she did indicate that the ball was going out but felt that because it landed in and we didn’t return it that it was their point. Who was right?

You were. Under The Code, #34, “doubles players should not talk when the ball is moving toward their opponent’s court.” Because you stopped play, you can claim the point for a deliberate hindrance (Rule 26).

Benefit of the Doubt

My partner returned a short ball. It possibly bounced twice (it was very hard to tell, but we both thought it was not a double bounce); she did NOT call a double bounce. Our opponent hit a hard shot back across the net while calling out, “Was that a double bounce?” The ball came right to me. I called a hindrance instead of making an attempt to hit it back as I was distracted by her talking. I said the ball was still in play as we didn’t make a call conceding the point. Instead of giving us the point for the hindrance, the opponents harangued my partner until she conceded it might have been a double bounce. It was game point. How do you handle a situation like this when you are the only player to understand the rules? A let isn’t an option. You can’t interrupt an active point in progress to question a call.

You’re forgetting one “rule”: The Code, #6, requires that you give the opponent the benefit of the doubt on any call. Your partner acknowledged she was unsure of her call. That makes it their point. The opponents were within their rights to question her call. Had she simply responded, “I got it on the first bounce,” it would have been your point.

Wicked Spin

I got lucky with a smash at my feet. I framed it and created incredible spin (all by accident), and with the wind, the ball went over the net to the opposite alley, just barely in, and the backspin brought it back over to our side of the net. My opponent knows the rules and tried to reach the ball without touching the net, but could not and we won the point. But we wondered, could she have gone around the net post and touched the ball on the other side? If that was allowed and she was able to hit the ball to make it land in the court, what would be the rule be for getting back to the other (her) side of the net?

If a shot bounces back over the net a player may reach over or run around the net to hit it. However, they may not touch the net or their opponents’ court (in this case defined by the doubles lines) while the ball is in play (Rules 24.g., and 25.b. and c.). It’s tricky, but it can be done. And if she runs around the net for the shot she can run back around after, so long as she doesn’t touch the net or the net post.

Full Contact Tennis

My doubles opponent hit a lob that bounced only inches from the net on my side. As I prepared to hit the overhead, the opponent’s partner charged the net, staying on her own side, but was an arm’s length away from me. It was a gutsy move to distract me. I am a club player and decent person, so I just could not allow myself to pummel her and likely seriously injury her, electing instead for the drop volley angle winner. My question, though, is if I had proceeded with hitting the overhead winner, hitting her in the process on my follow through without hitting the net, would that be legal?

Yes. Your racquet can break the plane of the net on your follow-through — and strike your opponent — without it costing you the point, so long as you don’t touch the net or your opponent’s court. Be sure to smile when you do this (Rule 25.e.).

Blinded by the Headlights

During a recent doubles match our opponent called a let when a car’s headlights came on in the adjacent parking lot. We replayed the point as the lights surely did affect their side of the court. However, I contend that this “hindrance” did not occur ON the court and should not have been eligible for a let call. And, the same thing could’ve happened to us upon switching sides. I compare this scenario to a car honking in the middle of a serve. But, what’s the call?

First off, you agreed to the let so it doesn’t really matter whether an official would have ruled this a hindrance or not. You agreed it was. That said, lights coming on or horns honking or cars backfiring (do they even do this anymore?) are not a legitimate reason for stopping play and claiming a let. The next time your opponents do so, refuse the let and claim the point.

First Serve – Yes or No

My first serve missed and rolled over on the next court. My opponent turned to the other court and waited for them to send her the ball back. I felt I should have been given a first serve since she interrupted my service by having the ball sent from the next court. Should I get a first serve?

That’s up to your opponent. According to The Code, #30, when there is a delay between first and second serve, “The receiver is the judge of whether the delay is sufficiently prolonged to justify giving the server two serves.”

Play Delay

When I was on the baseline ready to serve, the opponents continued to stand together chatting for a couple minutes and I had to wait and it went on this way throughout the match. Should the game go at the pace of the server or can the opponents spend some time chatting and have the server wait?

In theory the receivers must play to the “reasonable pace” of the server, which generally is interpreted to mean that after 15 seconds or so the receivers must be ready if the server is ready. If there’s an official available they can enforce this rule (Rule 21). However, with no official you’ll need to use diplomacy to get your opponents playing promptly.

Doubles Service Order Error

If doubles pairing accidentally switch receiving sides, they do not correct until next game receiving per a recent Stump the Ump question (must complete current receive game as is and can correct next receive game).   So what about accidentally messing up service order? Does the server complete serving current game and partner now serves next service game?  Or do they correct right when they realize the mistake?  If they complete the game serving out of order, do they serve twice to correct or just once?

An error in the service order is corrected immediately, provided the game has not been completed “out of turn.” If the game has been completed, the order of service continues “as altered” (Rule 27.c.).

Serve Ready

During a singles match, I called the score and proceeded to serve.  My opponent returned the ball into the net, then claimed that she hadn’t been ready for the serve. I honestly didn’t pay attention to what she was doing when I began my service motion, but shouldn’t she have called out that she wasn’t ready when I called the score and bounced the ball?

When your opponent returned the ball into the net she gave up the right to claim she was unready. However, before you start your service motion you should look at the receiver and make sure they are ready.  

Falling Objects

During play, one my opponents had a ball fall out of his pocket onto the court.  Does he immediately lose the point, or do you just play on as normal?

How about neither? If there is no official watching the court when this happens, you can call a let and replay the point if a ball falls out of your opponent’s pocket. Or you can choose to play on. Your opponent cannot call a let because you can’t “hinder yourself.”  Note:  If the offender drops a ball a second time, it is loss of point.

Bounce Away

Not long ago I was playing a doubles match where one of our opponents bounced her ball at minimum 30 times before she served every serve. It took a great deal of time. Is there a time limit to serve?

The time between points is 25 seconds. A second serve is supposed to be delivered “without delay.” That said, without an official present this is next to impossible to enforce. Try speaking with your opponent about her delay of play. Ask her if she could limit her bounces to, say, 15.

Look But Don’t Touch?

During a doubles’ match, the player scrambled forward to get to a drop shot. She was able to hit a hard crosscourt forehand winner well out of either players’ reach. However, she ran into the net. She claimed that the point was over before she touched the net. While I agree that the opposing team could not have gotten to the ball, I contend that the point isn’t officially over until the ball bounces a second time. What’s the rule?

The point isn’t over until it bounces the second time (Rule 24.b), but the player who touched the net makes the call on whether that happened before or after the second bounce (The Code, #19).

Let Me Bee

If, during a point, an insect interferes (bee/wasp is buzzing near me or a mosquito bites me or an insect lands upon me), may I stop play by calling “let,” claiming a hindrance?
Sure, you can try that. But if I were the opponent I wouldn’t grant you a replay without evidence. Frankly, an insect buzzing nearby or a mosquito landing/biting shouldn’t rise to the level of a hindrance. Play on.

Finish What You Started

If you start a match on a particular surface, say hard court and the match is delayed for rain to another day, does it matter if it is finished  on a different  surface?

If at all possible, it should be finished on the same surface.

Keep Your Ears Open

I was playing a doubles match and serving to a player who grunted a lot when they returned the serve. There were several serves that looked like they may be out, and receiver grunted and returned. Both my partner and I thought he was saying “no” or “out” so we stopped play. The receiver stated it was a grunt, not an out call, and the serve was good. But we had stopped play so we gave them the point. This kept happening on every close serve throughout the match and was very distracting and we gave away a lot of points. Is there a rule concerning a player who sounds like they’re calling things out when they grunt?

This is going to take some diplomacy. You should probably play a let the first time this happens and have a discussion with the opponent. Ask them to give an example of their out call and how it differs from their grunt. Then you’ll know which is which.

Practice Makes Perfect?

Between sets are you allowed to practice? For example, can you work on your serve? We were playing a match and during a changeover our opponent began practicing her serve. This was a doubles match and one player went to use the restroom and the other practiced her serve.

Players may practice while their opponents go to the restroom, but they may not use the match balls.