USTA tournamet and "new balls"

[SpinDoc1]

Was playing a USTA tournament recently with rules of 1 can/match.

Once on court my opponent said he had a few new cans of balls and asked if I minded we use them after the 7th and every 9 game after.

I said sure, won the match, but now wondering if we broke some rules?

Did not want to ask an official for risk of default but could not find anything specific in USTA rule book.

Anyone run into this in a USTA match and/or know if this is "against the rules" if we both agreed?

Thanks

 

[tennis tom]

Played lots of tournaments but never ran into this, don't know if it's against any rules. If they're the identical balls used in the tournament, he shouldn't be able to game it. If they're different, he may have an advantage if he's adjusted his game to them.

 

[DBH]

Was playing a USTA tournament recently with rules of 1 can/match.

Once on court my opponent said he had a few new cans of balls and asked if I minded we use them after the 7th and every 9 game after.

I said sure, won the match, but now wondering if we broke some rules?

Did not want to ask an official for risk of default but could not find anything specific in USTA rule book.

Anyone run into this in a USTA match and/or know if this is "against the rules" if we both agreed?

Thanks

If he also changes to a newly strung racquet on every ball change, be aware that you may be facing a ringer.

 

[J011yroger]

J

 

[OnTheLine]

I am a total tennisball snob. I do not choose to play even a social match (if score is being kept) with used balls. I won't play with Dunlops at all if I can avoid the little rocks. But even I am not that fussy. I do like the tournaments that provide a 2nd can for the 3rd (full) set though.

Can't imagine it is against any tournament "rules" although anyone who is trying to change out balls like on the ATP tour ... that is a little ridiculous.

 

[Gemini]

I think the 1 can per match may pertain to only using the number of balls equivalent to 1 can at any point in time during the match. If the tournament is using (3) ball cans, then you should be using no more than 3 balls at any point in time during the match.

I wouldn't think there'd be an issue with you changing out all three of the old balls for three new ones. That's just my take on the whole situation.

 

[tennis tom]

I am a total tennisball snob.

I won't play with Dunlops at all if I can avoid the little rocks.

Speaking of rocks, what do you think of the Wilson Titaniums, if they are still being made?

What balls do you like?

What do you think of the Costco Penns?

Ever play with the Slazenger Wimbledons?

 

[OnTheLine]

Speaking of rocks, what do you think of the Wilson Titaniums, if they are still being made?

What balls do you like?

What do you think of the Costco Penns?

Ever play with the Slazenger Wimbledons?

I know about the Penn Ti ... they are okay for practice only, keep their bounce a long time in my hopper, not a fan of them for a match. Not as rock-like as the Dunlops but not match balls. I don't think I have ever seen a Wilson Titanium to my knowledge.

For a basic 2 setter social match, Costco Penns are fine, but wouldn't choose them for league or tournament. I have never played with a Slazenger, or probably even seen one!

Favorites:
Wilson US Open or Ultra (USPTA)
Penn ATP or Marathon

 

[tennis tom]

I know about the Penn Ti ...

I got the manufacturer wrong, I hated them so much I couldn't even remember their name--they are the hardest ball I've ever played with, true rocks!--probably made so to last forever--at the cost of one's elbow.

 

[Dartagnan64]

If he also changes to a newly strung racquet on every ball change, be aware that you may be facing a ringer.

Or more likely a poseur.

 

[gmatheis]

I know about the Penn Ti ... they are okay for practice only, keep their bounce a long time in my hopper, not a fan of them for a match. Not as rock-like as the Dunlops but not match balls. I don't think I have ever seen a Wilson Titanium to my knowledge.

For a basic 2 setter social match, Costco Penns are fine, but wouldn't choose them for league or tournament. I have never played with a Slazenger, or probably even seen one!

Favorites:
Wilson US Open or Ultra (USPTA)
Penn ATP or Marathon

give the Dunlop Grand Prix balls a try if you can find them. Dunlop championship balls are the worst, but the Grand Prix are my favorite (with Wilson U.S. Open being a close 2nd favorite)

 

[Dartagnan64]

I am a total tennisball snob. I do not choose to play even a social match (if score is being kept) with used balls. I won't play with Dunlops at all if I can avoid the little rocks. But even I am not that fussy. I do like the tournaments that provide a 2nd can for the 3rd (full) set though.

Dunlop Forte are some of my favorite balls especially for clay. Right up there with Babolat Roland Garros.

On hatd courts, Penn ATP are my favorites, but I usually use ProPenn marathon since those are what our club uses for league and tournaments.

 

[MathGeek]

Since all points played in good faith stand, I don't think a tourney can object after the fact to players who are truly in mutual agreement with switching new balls in more often than provided by the tourney.

"Bad faith" requires you to be told not to do something, and then to keep doing it.