Warmup Rules

[mpnv1990]

Is it against the rules to use the game balls in warmup?

My opponent had a bunch of used balls, but they were inflated enough, so I didn’t say anything.

After the match, he complained about a prior match opponent and said that the guy insisted on using the match balls in warmup. The guy told me that it was against the rules to do so, but I didn’t say anything.

That makes no sense to me because they do that on the ATP/WTA tour.

 

[kevin qmto]

I always use the match balls in the warmup.

 

[JLyon]

only ITA does not warm up with match balls. You should use the match balls to warm up in league and tournament play. Your opponent got conned in a previous match

 

[am1899]

Definitely not against the rules and IMHO it’s heresy not to use the game balls during warmup. Why anyone would want to warm up with dead balls and then adjust to lively new ones for the first couple games is beyond me.

 

[cks]

Is it against the rules to use the game balls in warmup?

Nope. I like to use the game balls during the warmup.

I typically use older balls to warm up while waiting on my opponents to show up.

 

[stapletonj]

never heard of NOT using the match balls in the warmup

 

[esgee48]

Game balls should be used when warming up with opponents in matches. Everyone agreed that they will be used when play starts. Warming up for 5 minutes is part of 'play starts.' So using used balls is not kosher.

 

[brewcrew]

I’ve been playing 40 years, and the only times I didn’t use game balls to warm up for a real match was when it was drizzling or imminently threatening to rain and didn’t want to potentially waste a can.

 

[am1899]

never heard of NOT using the match balls in the warmup

I’ve seen it a handful of times and it never ceases to amaze me. As far as a league match, if the opponents are on balls and refuse to open the new can for the warmup…not much I can feasibly do about it. If OTOH I’m on balls the new balls are absolutely going to be used in the warmup. If opponents don’t like that, tough toenails. Interestingly, I don’t recall ever seeing it where the balls are being provided by the tournament - USTA playoffs, for example.

 

[Roforot]

Sometimes I'll add a 4th ball if it's doubles and we're hitting half the court so we can hit 2 each.

 

[stapletonj]

Sometimes I'll add a 4th ball if it's doubles and we're hitting half the court so we can hit 2 each.

good argument for 4 ball cans

 

[J_R_B]

In league doubles matches, usually we'll have the game balls plus a couple extra used balls to warm up. Official USTA rules actually say that you are supposed to ONLY use the game balls during warm ups, so at playoffs and tournaments where there are officials watching, they will tell you to put away any extra balls, which is a serious inconvenience when you're limited to 5 minutes warmups and two people are hitting at the same time (especially when it comes to serves).

 

[innoVAShaun]

This the USTA rule?

 

[tennis3]

Is it against the rules to use the game balls in warmup?

I always use the match balls in the warmup.

If my opponent wants to use the match balls in warm up, I always complain and force him to use old dog balls.

If my opponent wants to use old dog balls in warm up, I always complain and force him to use match balls.

I call that "winning the mental battle". Other people call that "being an @$$hole" Tomato, tommato I guess.