Rules for Tennis (Singles, Doubles, Wheelchair)

Rules For Tennis Index

3. The Ball

Balls that are approved for play under the Rules of Tennis must comply with the following specifications:

a. The ball shall have a uniform outer surface consisting of a fabric cover and shall be white or yellow in colour. If there are any seams they shall be stitchless.

b. The ball shall conform to the requirements specified in Appendix I (Regulations for making tests specified in Rule 3.), Section iv (in 2001 Friend at Court) for size and be more than 1.975 ounces (56.0 grams) and less than 2.095 ounces (59.4 grams) in weight.

c. The ball shall have a bound of more than 53 inches (134.62 cm) and less than 58 inches (147.32 cm) when dropped 100 inches (254.00 cm) upon a flat, rigid surface, e.g., concrete. The ball shall have a forward deformation of more than .220 of an inch (.559 cm) and less than .290 of an inch (.737 cm) and a return deformation of more than .315 of an inch (.800 cm) and less than .425 of an inch (1.080 cm) at 18 lb. (8.165 kg) load. The two deformation figures shall be the averages of three individual readings along three axes of the ball and no two individual readings shall differ by more than .030 of an inch (.076 cm) in each case.

d. For play above 4,000 feet (1219 m) in altitude above sea level, two additional types of ball may be used. The first type is identical to those described above except that the bound shall be more than 48 inches (121.92 cm) and less than 53 inches (134.62 cm) and the ball shall have an internal pressure that is greater than the external pressure. This type of tennis ball is commonly known as a pressurised ball. The second type is identical to those described above except that they shall have a bound of more than 53 inches (134.62 cm) and less than 58 inches (147.32 cm) and shall have an internal pressure that is approximately equal to the external pressure and have been acclimatised for 60 days or more at the altitude of the specific tournament. This type of tennis ball is commonly known as a zero-pressure or non-pressurised ball.

e. All tests for bound, size and deformation shall be made in accordance with the regulations in Appendix I (see 2001 Friend at Court).

f. The International Tennis Federation shall rule on the question of whether any ball or prototype complies with the above specifications or is otherwise approved, for play. Such ruling may be taken on its own initiative, or upon application by any party with a bona fide interest therein, including any player, equipment manufacturer or National Association or members thereof. Such rulings and applications shall be made in accordance with the applicable Review and Hearing Procedures of the International Tennis Federation (see Appendix III in 2001 Friend at Court).

ITF Note 1:

Any ball to be used in a tournament which is played under the Rules of Tennis must be named on the official ITF list of approved balls issued by the International Tennis Federation.

ITF Note 2:

From 1st January 2000 until 31st December 2001 two further types of tennis ball may be used on an experimental basis.

The first type is identical to those described in paragraphs a. to c. above except that the ball shall have a forward deformation of more than .195 inches (.495 cm.) and less than .235 inches (.597 cm) and return deformation of more than .295 inches (.749 cm) and less than .380 inches (.965 cm). This type of ball shall be described as Ball Type 1 and may be used in either a pressurised or non-pressurised form.

Another type is identical to those described in paragraphs a. to c. above except that the size shall be more than 2.750 inches (6.985 cm) and less than 2.875 inches (7.302 cm) in diameter as determined by ring gauges and detailed in Appendix I, Section iv (See 2001 Friend at Court). This type of ball shall be described as Ball Type 3 and may be used in either a pressurised or non-pressurised form.

All other types of ball defined by Rule 3 shall be described as Ball Type 2.

For the purpose of tournaments played under this experiment:

1. Ball Type 1 (fast) should only be used for play on court surface types which have been classified as Category 1 (slow pace) (see Appendix I).

2. Ball Type 2 (medium) should only be used for play on court surface types which have been classified as Category 2 (medium/medium-fast pace) (see Appendix I in 2001 Friend at Court).

3. Ball Type 3 (slow) should only be used for play on court surface types which have been classified as Category 3 (fast pace) (see Appendix I in 2001 Friend at Court).

For non-professional play any ball type may be used on any surface type.

USTA Comment:

Professional play refers to tournaments conducted under the regulations of the ATP Tour, ITF, and WTA Tour. This includes Satellite, Futures, and Challenger tournaments.

USTA Comment:

For non-professional play, any ball type may be used in sanctioned tournaments if the ball has been approved by the ITF and the USTA. Matches played with any approved ball type shall be considered for ranking

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