FRIEND AT COURT 2010 - USTA.com

lob in doubles and loudly shouts “back” just before an opponent hits the
overhead. See The Code § 33. Unintentional refers to an act over which a
player has no control, such as a hat blowing off or a scream after a wasp sting.
USTA Comment 26.2: Can a player’s own action be the basis for that
player claiming a let or a hindrance? No. Nothing a player does entitles that
player to call a let. For example, a player is not entitled to a let because the player
breaks a string, the player’s hat falls off, or a ball in the player’s pocket falls out.
USTA Comment 26.3: What happens if a player’s cell phone
rings or vibrates while the ball is in play? Unless the Referee specifically
authorized the player to wear a cell phone in vibrate mode, the player caused
a disturbance by bringing the phone to the court and not turning it off. This
amounts to a deliberate hindrance. The opponent may stop play and claim
the point on the grounds of a deliberate hindrance. If the Referee specifically
authorized the player to wear the cell phone in vibrate mode, the opponent
may claim a let on the grounds of unintentional hindrance.
USTA Comment 26.4: Can the server’s discarding of a second ball
constitute a hindrance? Yes. If the receiver or an official asks the server to
stop discarding the ball, then the server shall stop. Any continued
discarding of the ball constitutes a deliberate hindrance, and the server
loses the point.
USTA Comment 26.5: Is an out call or other noise from a spectator a
hindrance that allows a point to be replayed? No. The actions of a spectator
in an area designated for spectators is not the basis for replaying a point.
27. CORRECTING ERRORS
As a principle, when an error in respect of the Rules of Tennis is discovered,
all points previously played shall stand. Errors so discovered shall be corrected as
follows:
a. During a standard game or a tie-break game, if a player serves from the wrong
half of the court, this should be corrected as soon as the error is discovered
and the server shall serve from the correct half of the court according to the
score. A fault that was served before the error was discovered shall stand.
b. During a standard game or a tie-break game, if the players are at the wrong
ends of the court, the error should be corrected as soon as it is discovered and
the server shall serve from the correct end of the court according to the score.
c. If a player serves out of turn during a standard game, the player who was
originally due to serve shall serve as soon as the error is discovered. However,
if a game is completed before the error is discovered the order of service shall
remain as altered. In this case, any ball change to be made after an agreed
number of games should be made one game later than originally scheduled.
A fault that was served by the opponents(s) before the error was discovered
shall not stand.
In doubles, if the partners of one team serve out of turn, a fault that was
served before the error was discovered shall stand.
RULES OF TENNIS 19