Server and Returner: Pace of Game

TimothyO

Hall of Fame
Can someone explain how the rule covering server and returner is supposed to work? (rule 21)

It's my understanding that the server is supposed to wait for the receiver to be ready but the receiver is supposed to play to the server's reasonable pace.

In other words, the server obviosuly can't deliberately try to serve while the receiver is still getting ready. But the receiver should attempt to conform to the server's pace of play and be ready to recieve within a reasonable period of time after the server is ready.

The rule clearly demands that both players be good sports and accomodate the realities of rec play (eg chasing down balls). But I ran into an opponent who is clearly out of shape and who insisted that I take extra time before serving even though we were both in position, the balls were collected up, and I was ready to serve. He was even set in the ready position but still insisted I pause for several seconds before serving!

It's as if he wanted to rest and collect his thoughts while habing me cool my heels. When I served several times after seeing him assume the ready position he became VERY angry. I told him to raise his racquet or hand if he needed extra time but that still seemed unfair in that I, the server, would then be conforming to HIS pace of play even though we were both ready.

It's clear he was tired and flustered and wanted to rest between points. I won anyway 6-2, 6-2 and didn't argue but I'm curious since pace and conditioning are important parts of tennis, both physically and mentally.
 
Server has 20 seconds between points, used to be 25, changed a year or two ago. What kind of match was this, rec or tournament? I guess he could have hit the ball over the fence baseball style to gain some recovery time, but only once in a while, so it didn't look obvious like the nut job in the other thread. You could run him to death and win on a DNF, sounds like he needs to get into shape or take up golf or croquet. If he's in his crouch with his racket up looking ready, I would assume he's ready. He sounds like another weirdo.
 
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As someone who loves tennis but could be in better shape you need to be a little cleverer about it than the guy you played was, walking a bit slower to your mark, or taking time to collect a few balls can give me that extra bit of time if I'm suffering (I also suffer from Exercise Induced Asthma which is not at all related to my fitness, but affects my time between points as I need to find my inhaler sometimes)

Unless of course, the guy was so unfit that he needed to do all of that PLUS stand around in the ready position for an extra 10 secs
 
The receiver must play to the reasonable pace of the server. For instance, if the server sprints to get the balls and get into position, then the receiver does not have to match that pace, but if the server is not quick-serving, then the receiver should play to the server's pace. Also, being ready to return is defined by getting into a ready position, and facing the server. You had every right to serve when you did, because by him facing you, it indicated that he was ready. If your opponent wanted more time, he should have kept his back turned, or held up his hand, like you suggested.
 

LuckyR

Legend
It all depends on context. If this is a league match, tourney etc and he was getting "VERY" angry with you, then his personality/ignorance is the problem and I would gently, but firmly explain the rules to him and play at your pace.

If it is social tennis I would want to get the best quality match possible so I would gladly wait for him to catch his breath.

If the guy is significantly older than you and you are trouncing him, regardless of the venue I would give him an extra second or two.
 

woodrow1029

Hall of Fame
Also, there is no set rule as to what "reasonable pace" is. When there is a chair umpire and ballkids, the general guideline is that reasonable pace is about 12-15 seconds. When there are no ballkids, it can be a bit longer. It all depends on the flow of the match usually.
 

OrangePower

Legend
Can someone explain how the rule covering server and returner is supposed to work? (rule 21)

It's my understanding that the server is supposed to wait for the receiver to be ready but the receiver is supposed to play to the server's reasonable pace.

In other words, the server obviosuly can't deliberately try to serve while the receiver is still getting ready. But the receiver should attempt to conform to the server's pace of play and be ready to recieve within a reasonable period of time after the server is ready.

The rule clearly demands that both players be good sports and accomodate the realities of rec play (eg chasing down balls). But I ran into an opponent who is clearly out of shape and who insisted that I take extra time before serving even though we were both in position, the balls were collected up, and I was ready to serve. He was even set in the ready position but still insisted I pause for several seconds before serving!

It's as if he wanted to rest and collect his thoughts while habing me cool my heels. When I served several times after seeing him assume the ready position he became VERY angry. I told him to raise his racquet or hand if he needed extra time but that still seemed unfair in that I, the server, would then be conforming to HIS pace of play even though we were both ready.

It's clear he was tired and flustered and wanted to rest between points. I won anyway 6-2, 6-2 and didn't argue but I'm curious since pace and conditioning are important parts of tennis, both physically and mentally.

I think when there are no officials, it all comes down to being good sports as you said. There is not way to enforce anything else, so it's not worth fretting over. If the receiver takes a few more seconds than you'd like, so be it. Take it to mean that you are wearing him down, and make him run even more during points!
 

TimothyO

Hall of Fame
I think when there are no officials, it all comes down to being good sports as you said. There is not way to enforce anything else, so it's not worth fretting over. If the receiver takes a few more seconds than you'd like, so be it. Take it to mean that you are wearing him down, and make him run even more during points!

That's why I didn't bother trying to "enforce" the rule. Not worth getting worked up about it. It was league play and I do see my pace of play as a mental and, sometimes, physical advantage. But I also don't want to see anyone injured. I've offered to postpone a game when an opponent was injured and took a long time out when an older male opponent was seriously winded and gasping for breath in mixed doubles league match.

I just couldn't figure out why he wouldn't just raise his hand or racquet while pausing. I think that's why it may have been mental even if induced by the physical stress. He needed to be in his ready position an extra long time with no interaction to clear his head and focus. Maybe he was embarassed that he couldn't keep up and we're the same age?
 
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