ITF Rules and Officiating 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A player's serve hits the net cord and lands in the correct service box. What is the ruling?
- Let — the serve is replayed (Correct answer)
- Fault — the net was touched
- Ace — the ball is still in play
- Second serve — the first serve is forfeited
Correct answer: Let — the serve is replayed
A serve that clips the net and lands in the correct service box is a let, and the serve is replayed.
Question 2: During a match, a player requests a towel between points. What does the ITF Rules of Tennis state about towel use?
- Towels may only be used during changeovers
- Players may use towels at any time between points at the umpire's discretion
- Players may request a towel at any time, but use is allowed between points (Correct answer)
- Towels are prohibited during competitive play
Correct answer: Players may request a towel at any time, but use is allowed between points
Players may request their towel at any time, but the umpire typically allows use only between points.
Question 3: A ball lands on the baseline during a rally. How is this called under ITF rules?
- Out — the ball must land inside the line
- Good — lines are part of the court (Correct answer)
- Fault — only applies to serves
- Let — the point is replayed
Correct answer: Good — lines are part of the court
Under ITF rules, any ball that lands on or touches the line is considered good (in).
Question 4: A player deliberately delays play to recover from fatigue. What action can the chair umpire take?
- Issue a time violation warning only
- Award the point to the opponent immediately
- Issue a code violation warning, then apply point/game penalties for repeat offenses (Correct answer)
- Stop the match and consult the referee
Correct answer: Issue a code violation warning, then apply point/game penalties for repeat offenses
Deliberate delay of play results in a code violation; subsequent violations escalate to point and game penalties.
Question 5: What is the correct ITF ruling when a ball from an adjacent court rolls onto the court during a live rally?
- The point continues regardless
- A let is called and the rally is replayed (Correct answer)
- The player who was about to hit loses the point
- The chair umpire decides which player wins the point
Correct answer: A let is called and the rally is replayed
A let is called when a ball from outside enters the court during play, and the point is replayed.
Question 6: Under ITF rules, how long does a player have to complete a serve after the receiver signals readiness?
- There is no official time limit for serving
- The server must serve within 20 seconds of the previous point ending (Correct answer)
- The server must serve within 25 seconds of the receiver's signal
- The server must serve before the umpire's count reaches 10
Correct answer: The server must serve within 20 seconds of the previous point ending
ITF rules specify that servers must deliver the serve within 20 seconds of the end of the previous point.
Question 7: A player's racket accidentally makes contact with the net while the ball is still in play. What is the ruling?
- A let is called and the point is replayed
- The player loses the point (Correct answer)
- A warning is issued but play continues
- The umpire must verify intent before ruling
Correct answer: The player loses the point
Any player who touches the net while the ball is in play immediately loses the point.
ITF Rules and Officiating 2
A player's serve hits the net cord and lands in the correct service box.
What is the ruling?