GOOD QUESTION
ACCIDENTAL CONTACT During a point in a recent match, all four players made their way to the net and the point resulted in one reflex volley after another. During one player’s follow-through, his racquet hit an opponent in the arm and incapacitated him. After a medical time out, the incapacitated player could not resume play within the time limit and called for his team to win the match due to being struck by his opponent’s racquet. Was this the correct call? Mitch Falkin, Men’s League Vice President This is a very unfortunate incident, but according to The Code (USTA), Section 38, “When a player accidentally injures an opponent, the opponent suffers the consequences.” In this case, the opponent is unable to resume play. Even though the player caused the injury, that player wins the match by retirement, so the call that was made was incorrect. On another note, if a player deliberately injures an opponent and affects the opponent’s ability to play, then the opponent wins the match by default. Hitting a ball or throwing a racquet in anger is considered a deliberate act.
During a recent doubles match, one opponent continuously foot-faulted a majority of her serves. My partner and I brought it to the opponent’s attention twice (after each set). The only response we received was, “It’s because I haven’t played in a while. My serve is off-balance.” What other actions could my partner and I have taken, and should we have been awarded the point(s), especially after the foot faults were pointed out twice? Lamar Scott, First Vice President According to the ITF Rules of Tennis (Part 23), it is against the rules and considered a foot fault “when a foot touches the line, even when the player does not follow the serve to the net.” The receiver or the receiver’s partner may call foot faults only after all reasonable efforts, such as warning the server, have failed and the foot fault is so flagrant as to be clearly perceptible from the receiver’s side. 48
NETNEWS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
LIMIT ON LETS?
HIT BY A BALL
How many service lets are allowed during a point (ball hits the tape but lands in)?
During our match, an opponent hit a ball to our side of the court, which clearly appeared to be going out. My partner, who was standing behind the baseline and not within the confines of the court, was unable to move fast enough and was hit by the ball before it hit the ground. Who gets the point?
Lamar Scott, First Vice President According to USTA Rules, there is no limit to the number of serve let calls during any given point. Keep in mind that if the ball hits the net and doesn’t land in the correct service box, it’s not a let. Serena Williams once had four service lets in a row during a point.
Tammi Copelli, Junior League Vice President According to USTA Rule 24i, “a player loses the point if a ball touches the player or anything the player is wearing.” In this case, the opponent wins the point as soon as the ball hit your partner.
DID YOU EVER WONDER ABOUT … ? If you’ve ever had a situation occur in a match where no one on the court knew the rule that applied, send your inquiry to Good Question. ALTA officials answer questions in each issue of Net News and yours could be chosen next. Submit your question, along with your name, league, team name and level to altaeditor@altatennis.org.
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FLAGRANT FOOT FAULTS
