Tennis Book for PDF - Gloucester Academy

Far Side Linesman †
Centre Service
Linesman †
Near Side Linesman †
Base
Linesman †
THE CODE OF CONDUCT
The behaviour of players in a tournament is governed by the official LTA
Code of Conduct. It is, however, difficult to impose the Code unless court
officials are available (umpires, etc.). Under the Code, three penalties can
be enforced.
(1) Warning
(2) Penalty point – the next point to be played is awarded to the
offender’s opponent.
(3) Default – on the third offence, the match will be awarded to the
offender’s opponent.
TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS
The officials most prominent in a high-level tournament are the referee,
the umpires and the linesmen. There may also be a Tournament Director.
However, in most lower level tournaments there are few if any umpires
but there must be a referee. Players decide for themselves whether a ball
is in or out. This is an important part of the tradition of tennis and there is
seldom the slightest dispute.
(1) The Referee is the senior official at any tournament and has the final
authority on the rules, regulations and on play.
(2) Where umpires are used, they will sit in the umpire’s chair, keep the
score and legislate on all matters of fact (e.g. was the ball in or out?).
(3) Other umpires not in the chair will act as linesmen to help.
(4) Tournament Director – the major tournaments will have a
Tournament Director who will negotiate the hire of courts and the
entry of professional players.
36’ 0” (10.97m)
Figure 11.2: Location of match officials and court dimensions
Service
Linesman
▲
3’0” (0.914m)
Net Cord Umpire
Chair
Umpire
21’ 0” (6.40m)
78’ 0” (23.77m)
27’ 0” (8.23m)
Service
Linesman
4’ 6” (1.37m)
Base
Linesman †
38
Far Side Linesman †
Centre Service
Linesman †
Near Side Linesman †
† These Linesman
call foot faults