Rules for Tennis (Singles, Doubles, Wheelchair)

Rules For Tennis Index

30. Continuous Play & Rest Periods

Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, in accordance with the following provisions:

a. If the first service is a fault, the second service must be struck by the Server without delay. The Receiver must play to the reasonable pace of the Server and must be ready to receive when the Server is ready to serve.

When changing ends a maximum of ninety (90) seconds shall elapse from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of the game to the time the ball is struck for the first point of the next game.

However, after the first game of each set and during a tie-break, play shall be continuous and the players shall change ends without a rest period.

At the conclusion of each set, there shall be a set break of a maximum of one hundred and twenty (120) seconds from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of the game to the time the ball is struck for the first point of the next game.

The Umpire shall use his discretion when there is interference which makes it impractical for play to be continuous.

The organisers of international circuits and team events recognised by the ITF may determine the time allowed between points, which shall be a maximum of twenty (20) seconds from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of one point to the time the ball is struck for the next point.

b. Play shall never be suspended, delayed or interfered with for the purpose of enabling a player to recover his strength, breath, or physical condition. However, in the case of a treatable medical condition, the Umpire may allow a one-time three minute suspension for that injury.

USTA Comment:

The 20-second rule applies only to certain international circuits and team events recognized by the ITF. When practical, in USTA sanctioned tournaments using a certified official in direct observation of the match, the time which shall elapse from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of the point to the time the ball is struck shall not exceed 25 seconds.

c. If, through circumstances outside the control of the player, his clothing, footwear or equipment (excluding racket) becomes out of adjustment in such a way that it is impossible or undesirable for him to play on, the Umpire may suspend play while the maladjustment is rectified.

USTA Comment:

If equipment other than a racket becomes unusable through circumstances outside the control of the player, play may be suspended for a reasonable period and the player may leave the Court to correct the problem. If a racket or racket string is broken, Rule 30 does not permit play to be suspended. A player who leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to code violation(s) under the Point Penalty System.

USTA Comment:

Loss of, or damage to, a contact lens or eyeglasses shall be treated as equipment maladjustment. All players must follow the same rules with respect to suspending play, even though in misty but playable weather, a player who wears glasses may be handicapped.

d. The Umpire may suspend or delay play at any time as may be necessary and appropriate.

e. After the third set, or when women take part the second set, either player shall be entitled to a rest, which shall not exceed 10 minutes, or in countries situated between latitude 15 degrees north and latitude 15 degrees south, 45 minutes and furthermore, when necessitated by circumstances not within the control of the players, the Umpire may suspend play for such a period as he may consider necessary. If play is suspended and is not resumed until a later day the rest may be taken only after the third set (or when women take part the second set) of play on such a later day, completion of an unfinished set being counted as one set.

If play is suspended and is not resumed until 10 minutes have elapsed in the same day the rest may be taken only after three consecutive sets have been played without interruption (or when women take part two sets), completion of an unfinished set being counted as one set.

Any nation and/or committee organising a tournament, match or competition, is at liberty to modify this provision or omit it from its regulations provided this is announced before the event commences. With respect to the Davis Cup and Fed Cup, only the International Tennis Federation may modify this provision or omit it from its Regulations.

USTA Comment:

When a match is resumed after a suspension of more than ten minutes, it is permissible for the players to engage in a re-warm-up that may be of the same duration as that at the start of the match. The preferred method is to warm-up with other used balls and then insert the match balls when play starts. If the match balls are used in the re-warm-up, then the next ball change will be two games sooner. There shall be no re-warm-up after an authorized intermission or after a suspension of ten minutes or less.

USTA Comment:

When there are no ballpersons, this time may be extended to 10 minutes.

f. A tournament committee has the discretion to decide the time allowed for a warm-up period prior to a match but this may not exceed five minutes and must be announced before the event commences.

g. When approved point penalty and non-accumulative point penalty systems are in operation, the Umpire shall make his decisions within the terms of those systems.

h. Upon violation of the principle that play shall be continuous the Umpire may, after giving due warning, disqualify the offender.

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