Receiving Serve: Can I call a let if the server's partner is not ready?

[Raul_SJ]

I was returning serve and the server's partner was clearing a ball (server's partner normally stands at the baseline, but he was walking in a few steps in and I could clearly see him bending down to clear the ball).

But his partner didn't see him and continued to serve.

I could have returned the serve easily but raised my hand to stop. I figured there is no point in returning when the partner was obviously unready and probably would request to play the point over anyway.

Am I allowed to call a let?

Or do I just play because it is the server's responsibility to make sure his partner is ready before serving?

 

[TNT34]

You may call a let if whatever caused the server's partner not to be ready (in this case a ball on the court that arguably needed to be cleared) is something that would entitle you to call a let. You may not call a let simply because the server's partner does not appear to be ready for some other reason (e.g., the partner is bending over to pick up a piece of ball lint that only he can see). In the abstract, your opinion that your opponent is not ready does not entitle you to call a let, but whatever gave you that impression may.

 

[Raul_SJ]

The server was sort of puzzled and asked why I didn't play the serve.

I told him his partner wasn't ready. I talked to his partner afterwards and he confirmed to me that he didn't even know his partner had served the ball.

I think I could have easily won the point by returning the serve.

The best practice is for the server to make sure his partner is ready and vice versa...

Just curious. If I had played the serve, his partner could not have called a let for not being ready. Correct?

 

[gmatheis]

The server was sort of puzzled and asked why I didn't play the serve.

I told him his partner wasn't ready. I talked to his partner afterwards and he confirmed to me that he didn't even know his partner had served the ball.

I think I could have easily won the point by returning the serve.

The best practice is for the server to make sure his partner is ready and vice versa...

Just curious. If I had played the serve, his partner could not have called a let for not being ready. Correct?

correct, the server's partner not being ready is not a valid reason to call a let for either side.

You can call a let if he's removing something that could distract you such as a ball at the net.

The server's team can not call a let because the moment he serves he has made the decision that whatever his partner is doing is not a distraction and proceeded to start the point.

 

[jswinf]

I don't doubt that noticing the server's partner isn't ready does not give the basis for calling a let, but I'd say it's good sportsmanship. Safety could enter into also if the partner isn't paying attention to the ball.

 

[dcdoorknob]

I've done this a couple of times in just pick up tennis, but in those cases I held up my racquet and maybe said something prior to the serve being struck. I'm not sure if calling a let is technically sound by the rules, but I don't see why you can't just claim, before the serve is struck, that YOU aren't ready yet. In any case I've never had a server be upset by my trying to wait until they actually have a partner before the point is started.

Never come up in a league or tournament match though.

 

[AtomicForehand]

I hate it when I'm playing a partner who serves the second ball while I am still clearing the first one that s/he missed into the net. Pay a little attention, for chrissakes.

 

[Raul_SJ]

I've done this a couple of times in just pick up tennis, but in those cases I held up my racquet and maybe said something prior to the serve being struck. I'm not sure if calling a let is technically sound by the rules, but I don't see why you can't just claim, before the serve is struck, that YOU aren't ready yet.

I was set in the ready position and ready to receive the serve. I don't think I can claim not being ready. And it wasn't a hindrance to me. I could have easily hit a likely winner. But just didn't feel right when the partner was not ready.


These guys weren't that experienced but the server was a little upset and glared at me (I think it was because he had finally hit a relatively good serve after struggling with double faulting).

To make things simpler, maybe the rule should be that the server has the ultimate responsibility to make sure his team is ready.

 

[jswinf]

To make things simpler, maybe the rule should be that the server has the ultimate responsibility to make sure his team is ready.

I think that is the rule...

 

[robert]

Agreed. That is the rule.

 

[McLovin]

Understand that the receiver may stop & hold their hand up at any time during the server's motion to indicate that they are not ready, so long as they make no attempt to return the ball. A reason is not required.

In other words, all the receiver has to do is hold their hand up and say "hold up, not ready". They could be ready to sneeze, or passing gas, makes no difference.

See Item #29 in The Code:

http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/2. The Code.4.pdf​

 

[struggle]

yes, often hold up my hand ("not ready") and fart.

"ok, sorry....had to let one go. g'head and serve"

but yes, this is true........which makes "playing at the server's pace" a load of bs in many circumstances.

 

[McLovin]

yes, often hold up my hand ("not ready") and fart.

"ok, sorry....had to let one go. g'head and serve"

I know you're saying this tongue-in-cheek, but in friendly matches, we do that all the time.

but yes, this is true........which makes "playing at the server's pace" a load of bs in many circumstances.

I believe there is a point, in an officiated match, where you will be called for gamesmanship. Once, twice, maybe even three times, but after that, unless there is a true distraction, you'll get a warning for it.

Just like tossing the ball & catching it, ala Karl Kuchera (sp?) vs Agassi in the US Open, although I don't think he even got a warning.

 

[Mr.Lob]

yes, often hold up my hand ("not ready") and fart.

"ok, sorry....had to let one go. g'head and serve".

Mixed doubles right?