Rules for Tennis Appendix (Singles, Doubles, Wheelchair)

Rules For Tennis Index

Appendix II

Alternative Scoring methods (Rule 27)

1. "Short" sets

The first player/team who wins four games wins the Set, provided there is a margin of two games over the opponent(s). If the score reaches four games all, a tie-break game shall be played.

2. Deciding tie-break game

When the score in a match is one set all, or two sets all in best of five sets matches, one tie-break game shall be played to decide the match. This tie-break game replaces the deciding final set.

3. Deciding "sudden death"

When the score in the match is one set all, or two sets all in best of five sets matches, the match shall be decided by a Sudden Death. The first player/team who wins two games wins the Set, provided there is a margin of two games over the opponent(s). If the score reaches two games all, a tie-break game shall be played.

ITF Notes:

i. If a singles court only is required, no lines are necessary outside the points a, b, c, d, but the court can be measured out as above. Alternatively, the corners of the base-line (c, d) can be found if preferred by pegging the two tapes at a and b instead of at A and B, and by then using lengths of 47'5" (14.46 m) and 39'0" (11.89 m). The net posts will be at n, n, and a 33'0" (10 m) singles net should be used.

ii. When a combined doubles and singles court with a doubles net is used for singles, the net must be supported at the points n, n, to a height of 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) by means of two posts, called "singles sticks", which shall be not more than 3 inches (7.5 cm) square or 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter. The centres of the singles sticks shall be 3 feet (.914 m) outside the singles court on each side.

To assist in the placing of these singles sticks it is desirable that the points n, n, should each be shown with a white dot when the court is marked.

USTA Comment:

The ITF, not the USTA, is responsible for the Rules of Tennis. Amendments to the Rules of Tennis are made through the procedures of the ITF. Rule 69 of the ITF controls the manner in which amendments may be made to the Rules of Tennis.

International Tennis Federation Rule 69

The official and decisive text to the Rules of Tennis shall be for ever in the English language and no alteration or interpretation of such Rules shall be made except at an Annual General Meeting of the Council, nor unless notice of the resolution embodying such alteration shall have been received by the Federation in accordance with Article 16 of the Constitution of ITF Ltd. (Notice of Resolutions) and such resolution or one having the like effect shall be carried by a majority of two-thirds of the votes recorded in respect of the same.

Any alteration so made shall take effect as from the first day of January following unless the Meeting shall by the like majority decide otherwise.

The Board of Directors shall have power, however, to settle all urgent questions of interpretation subject to confirmation at the General Meeting next following.

This Rule shall not be altered at any time without the unanimous consent of a General Meeting of the Council.

The Singles Game Rules
1. The Court 2. Permanent Fixtures 3. The Ball 4. The Racket 5. Server & Receiver 6. Choice of Ends & Service 7. The Service 8. Foot Fault 9. Delivery of Service 10. Service Fault 11. Second Service 12. When to Serve 13. The "Let" 14. The "Let" in Service 15. Order of Service 16. When Players Change Ends	17. The Ball In Play 18. Server Wins Point 19. Receiver Wins Point 20. Player Loses Point 21. Player Hinders Opponent 22. Ball Falls on The Line 23. Ball Touches Permanent Fixtures 24. A Good Return 25. Hindrance of A Player 26. Score In A Game 27. Score In A Set 28. Maximum Number of Sets 29. Role of Court Officials 30. Continuous Play and Rest Periods 31. Coaching 32. Ball Change

The Doubles Game Rules	Wheelchair Tennis
1. The Doubles Game 2. The Doubles Court 3. Order of Service in Doubles 4. Order of Receiving in Doubles 5. Service Out of Turn in Doubles 6. Error in Order of Receiving Doubles 7. Service Fault in Doubles 8. Playing the Ball in Doubles	1. The Competitive Wheelchair Tennis Player 2. The Service 3. The Ball in Play 4. Player Loses Point 5. Wheelchair/Able Bodied Tennis

Appendix II: Alternative Scoring Methods for Tennis