Borrowing Friends Racket after I broke all my strings... legal?

[samurai13]

In a recent USTA Junior Tournament Match I was winning easily. I broke my first string of the match up 3-0 in the first set. I then used my second racket before breaking its string at 5-0 in the first. Then I was down to my final racket. I began using it but I broke its string in the first game of the second set. Left with no playable rackets I was scared. I realized a good friend of mine was playing on the court next to me and had plenty of extra rackets. I ran over to him and asked if I could borrow one of his rackets seeing that all three of mine were not playable. He said yes and I finished off the 6-0 6-0 win with his racket

Is what I did legal? should I be allowed to use his racket?

 

[MarinaHighTennis]

I think that's fine but what if you had no friend around. Do you use a full sun gut stringsnon all three rackets? You should at least use a hybrid so they don't break that fast.

 

[Mighty Matteo]

That is part of the reason why I don't like to rotate my racquets when I play with them. I like to know that some of them are freshly strung and won't break quickly.

 

[scraps234]

Perfectly fine......

 

[Bedrock]

Technically - no.

 

[BMC9670]

Technically - no.

Really? I'm not aware of anything in the code/rules that stipulate where the racquet has to come from when one is damaged or needs to be changed. As far as it reads, you can even leave the court to get a new one - but doesn't say there is any rule against where.

 

[BMC9670]

Found it: Rackets may break during play. The USTA allows players to switch rackets during the match. Rule 29b allows the player "reasonable extra time" to leave the court to obtain a new racket.

 

[Bedrock]

Player has to have everything with you on the tennis court. Extra shoes, rackets, water, hats, ... name it.
Player cannot take anything out of the tennis court during the match and specifically the tennis racket.
It is not allowed to go out of the tennis court and bring replacment for the raquest. Plus it is also not allowed to keep playing using broken racket.


USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement? A player who leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player “reasonable extra time” to leave the court only in those cases where “clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding racket) is broken or needs to be replaced.”

http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/UST...A/Document Assets/2007/02/09/doc_13_16051.pdf

It is allowed to switch the racket but only with the one which player already brought on court before begining of the match.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

Player has to have everything with you on the tennis court. Extra shoes, rackets, water, hats, ... name it.
Player cannot take anything out of the tennis court during the match and specifically the tennis racket.
It is not allowed to go out of the tennis court and bring replacment for the raquest. Plus it is also not allowed to keep playing using broken racket or broken strings.


USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement? A player who leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player “reasonable extra time” to leave the court only in those cases where “clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding racket) is broken or needs to be replaced.”

http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/UST...A/Document Assets/2007/02/09/doc_13_16051.pdf

It is allowed to switch the racket but only with the one which player already brought on court before begining of the match.

This is not correct. It would be considered a delay under the Point Penalty System to leave the court to get a new racquet. As a first offense it would be a one point penalty.

Reasonable extra time to leave the court to get items is permitted for everything except a racquet. But there is no problem with getting a racquet from outside the court as long as you are willing to accept the penalty. It would be considered 'Leaving the playing area for an unauthorized reason' under the Code Violations and Penalties.

Since he won easily, the point penalty was no big deal. Players have had to run to the locker room before to get new racquets and it is a point penalty.

 

[Bedrock]

racket racket

 

[jht32]

I like what you saying, but it seems like you just came up with your own rules. Where is the prove of your words.
See the reference provided. page 8 http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/UST...A/Document Assets/2007/02/09/doc_13_16051.pdf

TCF is correct. Bedrock, you are just interpreting the words in the document incorrectly.

USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement? A player who leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player “reasonable extra time” to leave the court only in those cases where “clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding racket) is broken or needs to be replaced.”

It's saying that you get leave the courts for a reasonable "extra time" to get a replacement item that is broken...except for broken racquets. For broken racquets, you will be subject to a code violation.

From the same document that you are referring to, it states on page 58:

Clothing and equipment malfunction. If clothing or equipment, other
than a racket, becomes unusable through circumstances outside the control
of the player, play may be suspended for a reasonable period. The player may
leave the court after the point is over to correct the problem. If a racket or
string is broken, the player may leave the court to get a replacement, but the
player is subject to code violations under the Point Penalty System.

 

[tennis5]

While the rule books are open...

Any idea on the bathroom break?

Is it only allowed between sets or can you take it at changeovers?

Do you have to clear it with the ref?

And length of time?

My son has had opponents take ten minute breaks for the bathroom...

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

racket racket

While on Tennis Warehouse, you must spell it racquet. We are quite fancy here!

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/TennisRacquets.html

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

While the rule books are open...

Any idea on the bathroom break?

Is it only allowed between sets or can you take it at changeovers?

Do you have to clear it with the ref?

And length of time?

My son has had opponents take ten minute breaks for the bathroom...

"USTA tournaments: There is one permissible trip to the toilet for the men, and two for the ladies.

If/when a player needs an additional bathroom break during a tournament match, then he/she may take it on a changeover- with the understanding that he/she has 90 seconds to get back on-court for the start of the next game or he/she is subject to a delay of game warning, and then a penalty point.

Leaving the court for a bathroom break should never be done to “irritate” your opponent. Doing this to gain a competitive advantage is a shameful example of gamesmanship."

Its hard to enforce but the allowed breaks, 1 for men, 2 for women, can be of "reasonable time."

 

[SStrikerR]

In a recent USTA Junior Tournament Match I was winning easily. I broke my first string of the match up 3-0 in the first set. I then used my second racket before breaking its string at 5-0 in the first. Then I was down to my final racket. I began using it but I broke its string in the first game of the second set. Left with no playable rackets I was scared. I realized a good friend of mine was playing on the court next to me and had plenty of extra rackets. I ran over to him and asked if I could borrow one of his rackets seeing that all three of mine were not playable. He said yes and I finished off the 6-0 6-0 win with his racket

Is what I did legal? should I be allowed to use his racket?

The real question is why you went on-court with 3 racquets that broke so quickly. If they did, you should have seen before the match that the strings were near the breaking point...you should probably think of that beforehand, just in case.

 

[tennis5]

"USTA tournaments: There is one permissible trip to the toilet for the men, and two for the ladies.

If/when a player needs an additional bathroom break during a tournament match, then he/she may take it on a changeover- with the understanding that he/she has 90 seconds to get back on-court for the start of the next game or he/she is subject to a delay of game warning, and then a penalty point.

Leaving the court for a bathroom break should never be done to “irritate” your opponent. Doing this to gain a competitive advantage is a shameful example of gamesmanship."

Its hard to enforce but the allowed breaks, 1 for men, 2 for women, can be of "reasonable time."

Thanks, this is helpful.

 

[AM95]

remember i played a kid and he broke the strings on both of his rackets. he borrowed some kid's racket until that kid won his match and left. then he was left with no racket at all. he actually asked me to give him one but i said i couldn't do that. the kid defaulted and i won the match (regardless i was winning like 6-1 4-1).

i think what you did is legal though, judging by what happened in my case.

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

remember i played a kid and he broke the strings on both of his rackets. he borrowed some kid's racket until that kid won his match and left. then he was left with no racket at all. he actually asked me to give him one but i said i couldn't do that. the kid defaulted and i won the match (regardless i was winning like 6-1 4-1).

i think what you did is legal though, judging by what happened in my case

Of course it was legal...did you not bother to read the thread?

 

[Bedrock]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/archive/index.php/t-55819.html
interesting facts.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/archive/index.php/t-55819.html
interesting facts.

Not sure what all that is about as it starts off talking about a pro match.

In a USTA junior tournament, which is what the OP is discussing, a player can get a new racquet off court in exchange for a point penalty.

 

[Bedrock]

There is a straight question and no straight answer (like YES or NO)
Please explain how to treat the note: "excluding racket". Why is that "excluding racket" there at all?

Does it mean the player has unlimited time to get a replacement or it means player has no right to seek the racquet outside of the court?

There was no question about replacement of anything else but the racquet. So, why the USTA shifted the subject?

The match can be suspended for 3 minutes by umpire if player needed to replace anything besides of the racquet. It is known, but it does not have any relation to the subject again.

Talking about Pro and Junior tennis:
There is no umpire on court in more then 50% of junior matches (or even 90% of the time during the match).

Who does suppose to make a decision about suspension or penalty points in such case?

I'm not against of your point of view. I'm not satisfied with the way the USTA answers the question.

I want to see – Yes or No in first place and then any comments to possible penalties or any other details.

How to calculate the penalty points?
Does every 90 seconds of delay add another penalty point?
Who is in charge of tracking of the delay time?
And since there are "excluding racket" it all should be addressed specifically to replacement of the tennis racquet case.

USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a
string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement?
A player who
leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for
delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player
“reasonable extra time” to leave the court only in those cases where
“clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding racket) is
broken or needs to be replaced

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

bedrock. The USTA comment you posted answers your question. Pretty simple stuff. Leave for a new shoe, fine. Leave for a new racquet, okay, but you will be subject to a delay penalty.

...."USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a
string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement?

A player who leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player
“reasonable extra time” to leave the court only in those cases where
“clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding racket) is
broken or needs to be replaced."


Saying " a player who leaves the Court to get a replacement racquet is subject to delays under the point penalty system" would be worded "a player MAY NOT leave the court to get a replacement racquet" if that was the case.

This is pretty clear, a player can leave the court to get a replacement, but will be penalized. They then say that if you need to leave for something other then a racquet, you will not be penalized.

The point penalty system is up to the official most times. The opponent is welcome to ask an official to decide whether the opponent took reasonable time to go get a racquet from the locker room, etc.

The junior system is what it is, if no official is available, the player can file a protest later but it will be likely ignored. No one is saying its a solid system. Players get by with cheating, gamesmanship, long bathroom breaks, you name it. I wish every USTA junior tournament had an official on every court, but I also wish I had a pet flying elephant.

But in this case, the simple answer is that yes, you can go to the next court and borrow a racquet, and your opponent is then awarded a 1 point penalty for the 1st offense.

 

[Bedrock]

Here is exactly what 29b says:
If, for reasons outside the player’s control, clothing, footwear or
necessary equipment (excluding the racket) is broken or needs to be
replaced, the player may be allowed reasonable extra time to rectify
the problem.

It allows time to replace clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding the racket).

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

responses in red...

There is a straight question and no straight answer (like YES or NO)
Please explain how to treat the note: "excluding racket". Why is that "excluding racket" there at all? because leaving the court to get a racket is treated differently than leaving the court to get an article of clothing, shoes, etc. WHY? the USTA doesn't explain....perhaps this is your question?

Does it mean the player has unlimited time to get a replacement or it means player has no right to seek the racquet outside of the court? No. USTA Comment 29.2 answers this question.

There was no question about replacement of anything else but the racquet. So, why the USTA shifted the subject?

The match can be suspended for 3 minutes by umpire if player needed to replace anything besides of the racquet. It is known, but it does not have any relation to the subject again. Your statement is incorrect. See USTA Comment 29.2 for the USTA of 'reasonable extra time'

Talking about Pro and Junior tennis:
There is no umpire on court in more then 50% of junior matches (or even 90% of the time during the match).

Who does suppose to make a decision about suspension or penalty points in such case?

I'm not against of your point of view. I'm not satisfied with the way the USTA answers the question.

I want to see – Yes or No in first place and then any comments to possible penalties or any other details.

How to calculate the penalty points? USTA Comment 4.2 answers this.
Does every 90 seconds of delay add another penalty point? no. change '90' to '20', and you are correct.
Who is in charge of tracking of the delay time? the official
And since there are "excluding racket" it all should be addressed specifically to replacement of the tennis racquet case.

USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a
string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement?
A player who
leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for
delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player
“reasonable extra time” to leave the court only in those cases where
“clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding racket) is
broken or needs to be replaced

 

[Bedrock]

Here is exactly what 29b says:
If, for reasons outside the player’s control, clothing, footwear or
necessary equipment (excluding the racket) is broken or needs to be
replaced, the player may be allowed reasonable extra time to rectify
the problem.

It allows time to replace clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding the racket).

Now please show me where it allows to replace the racquet ?

I would like to remind that the USTA is a member of ITF. USTA does not come up with its own rules it adopts rules from ITF.

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

see answer below

Here is exactly what 29b says:
If, for reasons outside the player’s control, clothing, footwear or
necessary equipment (excluding the racket) is broken or needs to be
replaced, the player may be allowed reasonable extra time to rectify
the problem.

It allows time to replace clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding the racket).

Now please show me where it allows to replace the racquet ? see USTA Comment 29.8 - "what happens when a player asks to leave the court to get a replacement racket."

I would like to remind that the USTA is a member of ITF. USTA does not come up with its own rules it adopts rules from ITF.

 

[Bedrock]

see answer below

Let's sync our rules books.
Please post a reference to your copy of rules.

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

USTA 2011 Friend at Court

 

[Bedrock]

&)&)&)&)&)&)&)&)&)&)

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

Bedrock, you are being silly now. You posted the link to the USTA Rules of Tennis which says on page 8:

USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a
string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement? A player who
leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for
delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player
“reasonable extra time” to leave the court only in those cases where
“clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding racket) is
broken or needs to be replaced.”

The above puts both the comment 4.2 and the rule 29b together in the same paragraph so anyone with a pulse can understand it. The dang link is from your own post for goodness sakes:

http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/UST...A/Document Assets/2007/02/09/doc_13_16051.pdf


This is not rocket science. Comment 4.2 says that if you leave the court to get a replacement you will be subject to a delay penalty. It can not be made any clearer.

Use just a teeny bit of common sense. It does not say, leaving the court for a racquet is a default, or a beating, or public teasing...it tells you exactly what the penalty is, a delay under the code of conduct. How more obvious could it be? You leave to get a racquet, you will get a penalty for a delay....a delay penalty....NOT A DEFAULT!! That means it is ALLOWED BUT COMES WITH A PENALTY! Rule 29b tells you that for everything else but a racquet, there is no penalty.

Geez, thats about as easy as it can be made....and this from a guy who hates the USTA.

 

[Bedrock]

Bedrock, you are being silly now. You posted the link to the USTA Rules of Tennis which says on page 8:

USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a
string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement? A player who
leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for
delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player
“reasonable extra time” to leave the court only in those cases where
“clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding racket) is
broken or needs to be replaced.”

The above puts both the comment 4.2 and the rule 29b together in the same paragraph so anyone with a pulse can understand it. The dang link is from your own post for goodness sakes:

http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/UST...A/Document Assets/2007/02/09/doc_13_16051.pdf


This is not rocket science. Comment 4.2 says that if you leave the court to get a replacement you will be subject to a delay penalty. It can not be made any clearer.

Use just a teeny bit of common sense. It does not say, leaving the court for a racquet is a default, or a beating, or public teasing...it tells you exactly what the penalty is, a delay under the code of conduct. How more obvious could it be? You leave to get a racquet, you will get a penalty for a delay....a delay penalty....NOT A DEFAULT!! That means it is ALLOWED BUT COMES WITH A PENALTY! Rule 29b tells you that for everything else but a racquet, there is no penalty.

Geez, thats about as easy as it can be made....and this from a guy who hates the USTA.

I appreciate all your comments.
How much time is allowed for seeking a racquet replacement?


I'm still loving it:
If, for reasons outside the player’s control, clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding the racket) is broken or needs to be replaced, the player may be allowed reasonable extra time to rectify the problem.

 

[Coach Carter]

Here is exactly what 29b says:
If, for reasons outside the player’s control, clothing, footwear or
necessary equipment (excluding the racket) is broken or needs to be
replaced, the player may be allowed reasonable extra time to rectify
the problem.

It allows time to replace clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding the racket).

Now please show me where it allows to replace the racquet ?

I would like to remind that the USTA is a member of ITF. USTA does not come up with its own rules it adopts rules from ITF.

they will not let you replace a BROKEN racquet, as in abused. replacing racquets based on broken strings can be done...

 

[Bedrock]

they will not let you replace a BROKEN racquet, as in abused. replacing racquets based on broken strings can be done...

You are totally right about broken racquet (as result of abuse).

However accordingly to TennisCoachFLA logic - player still has right to exchange the racquet. Is it right?

Accordingly to the USTA rules there is no substitution of the racquet required for the case when the strings are broken. Player can keep playing with broken strings unless it is prohibited by tournament administration.

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

I appreciate all your comments.
How much time is allowed for seeking a racquet replacement? 20 seconds! and then the Point Penalty System kicks in! why are you having so much trouble comprehending this?

I still love it:
Rule 29b permits a player
“reasonable extra time” to leave the court only in those cases where
“clothing, footwear or necessary equipment (excluding racket) is
broken or needs to be replaced.”

tencharacters

 

[Bedrock]

tencharacters

USTA actually allows 25 seconds. 20 seconds it is ITF rule.
However this is not it.

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

once again, you're wrong. i'm done with you.

 

[Bedrock]

once again, you're wrong. i'm done with you.

regards .

 

[MrRandom247]

I lost to Village People's Cowboy on his home grass courts.
Played Cowboy at home weeks later on our hardcourts, he broke a string at around first set 2-2.
He didn't have a spare or ask his 3 friends or ask to borrow mine, I didn't offer.
I went on to win 6-2, 6-0.
Moral of the story, don't turn up to competitive tennis with only one racquet.
Another moral is I'm a mean ******* when you've beaten me before.