Tennis Etiquette for competitive matches

[ichaseballs]

If you are playing USTA or competitive tennis, you should be familiar with tennis rules/etiquette for match play. USTA has the much longer list available online.
Some players may not be aware, and so hopefully this thread can educate a few people. (and make our sport a enjoyable experience)

• When returning, do not hit 1st serves that are clearly out. Chasing/clearing the ball can cause a delay. You do not get return/swinging practice. And if long enough of a delay, server can argue for their 1st serve back.
  
  
• If you are the server, call the score out loudly, seeking an opponent nod/approval. Set score before each game. Game score before each point. Avoid needless debates over the correct score.
  
  
• Service game should go at the pace of the server. Has to be a reasonable pace, where returner is not being rushed, but the server should not be waiting at the line for extended periods. (say if the returning doubles team wanted to have a chat)
  
  
• Server should not rush the 2nd serve. Learn to separate your 1st and 2nd serves. Returner should be able to push the ball to the side or back. (tip for returning against rushed serves: if you swing you can't claim not being ready, so if not ready do not take an attempt)
  
  
• As the server, if you leave a ball on your side of the court and begin play, you are taking the risk of ball getting in your way or ending the point upon hitting the ball in play. Best habit is to clear the loose ball before 2nd serve. The receiver has the right to ask the loose ball to be cleared. This is not an issue if you learn to separate your 1st and 2nd serves.

 

[tennis3]

• All rules are unenforceable, so be prepared for you opponent to violate all rules (especially etiquette rules) if it helps him "win the mental game".

 

[NTRP_3.75_Patrick_Rafter]

If you are playing USTA or competitive tennis, you should be familiar with tennis rules/etiquette for match play. USTA has the much longer list available online.
Some players may not be aware, and so hopefully this thread can educate a few people. (and make our sport a enjoyable experience)

• When returning, do not hit 1st serves that are clearly out. Chasing/clearing the ball can cause a delay. You do not get return/swinging practice. And if long enough of a delay, server can argue for their 1st serve back.
• If you are the server, call the score out loudly, seeking an opponent nod/approval. Set score before each game. Game score before each point. Avoid needless debates over the correct score.
  
  
• Service game should go at the pace of the server. Has to be a reasonable pace, where returner is not being rushed, but the server should not be waiting at the line for extended periods. (say if the returning doubles team wanted to have a chat)
  
  
• Server should not rush the 2nd serve. Learn to separate your 1st and 2nd serves. Returner should be able to push the ball to the side or back. (tip for returning against rushed serves: if you swing you can't claim not being ready, so if not ready do not take an attempt)
  
  
• As the server, if you leave a ball on your side of the court and begin play, you are taking the risk of ball getting in your way or ending the point upon hitting the ball in play. Best habit is to clear the loose ball before 2nd serve. The receiver has the right to ask the loose ball to be cleared. This is not an issue if you learn to separate your 1st and 2nd serves.

Handle does not check out.

That one doesn't really bug me and I do it a good bit, ZFG. If it is like way, way, way out I'll prolly hit/block it back into the bottom of the net but if it is even close I am playing it like it's in, especially if I am having to focus on calling the line too.

 

[bobbybob14]

I do the same thing. Especially in doubles. You never know when your partner is going to be generous or just not get a good look at the ball on that back line.