Rule Question-server quick serving?

[blakesq]

OK, this is the scenario, one guy in our group serves very quickly, for instance, if he serves his first serve, and it goes out, I (the receiver) go and make sure the ball is out of the playing area (so we don't trip on the ball), as I walk back to get ready to return the serve, he serves the ball almost immediately upon my getting back to my position on the court to return, but i am not set, I havent bent my knees or anything. Or, if he serves to my partner, and I go clear the ball, as I am walking back to my position at the service line, he serves before i get there.

Can I make him wait until I am ready to return the serve? What about his argument that we have to play at his pace since he is serving. What about if the non-receiver goes to clear the ball, does he have to wait until the non-reciever is ready? Another factor is that we are playing indoors, with dividers between the courts, that often cause the ball to roll back on the court. Thanks!

 

[saram]

Hold up your racket while getting the ball out of play and clearing it. Hold up your racket still until you are in the ready position. If your partner sees you clearing the ball and he is receiving, have him hold up the racket as well. You have every right to clear the court for safety.

If the server serves while your racket is up and you are not set, then he has to serve again. It is common courtesy and the etiquette of the game.

 

[ZenMac]

And remember not to try and play the ball. Just keep standing there with your hand (or racket up) until you're sure he's noticed.

 

[Casey10s]

What I have done to these type of people is raise my hand and say 'Hold on a second' and when I am ready, I will say 'Ok'. If the server serves it, I say I wasn't ready and please serve it again. After a few times, this will usually cause them to wait longer between serves.

In the USTA rules, the receiver has the expectation to have a reasonable time to get ready for the serve. The server must wait until the receiver is ready. Now if you exceed the time limit between points, the server can also get you for unnecessary delay.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

saram is correct. You should play at the Server's pace, BUT ... he cannot use that rule to "quick serve" you before you are ready.

- KK

 

[blakesq]

I just found this comment:

USTA Comment 21.3: May the server hit the serve just as the
receiver looks up after getting into the ready position? No. The receiver
is not ready until the receiver is in the ready position and has
a second or two to make eye contact with the server.

 

[saram]

I just found this comment:

USTA Comment 21.3: May the server hit the serve just as the
receiver looks up after getting into the ready position? No. The receiver
is not ready until the receiver is in the ready position and has
a second or two to make eye contact with the server.

good find!

 

[JavierLW]

OK, this is the scenario, one guy in our group serves very quickly, for instance, if he serves his first serve, and it goes out, I (the receiver) go and make sure the ball is out of the playing area (so we don't trip on the ball), as I walk back to get ready to return the serve, he serves the ball almost immediately upon my getting back to my position on the court to return, but i am not set, I havent bent my knees or anything. Or, if he serves to my partner, and I go clear the ball, as I am walking back to my position at the service line, he serves before i get there.

Can I make him wait until I am ready to return the serve? What about his argument that we have to play at his pace since he is serving. What about if the non-receiver goes to clear the ball, does he have to wait until the non-reciever is ready? Another factor is that we are playing indoors, with dividers between the courts, that often cause the ball to roll back on the court. Thanks!

He has to wait until you are ready.

 

[Cindysphinx]

A few other things help with this.

If there is any question that a ball will need to be cleared, I say "Wait."

If my partner is clearing a ball and I am the receiver, I will sometimes turn my back until she is in position. This is pretty extreme, though. Usually the "Wait!" and holding up the racket will do it. You can also say something on the changeover.

Now I need to find a way to get a certain partner from serving while I am still walking to my position in the service box. Lately I have taken to walking backward toward the net. This seems to get her to slow her roll.