The Rules of Tennis
Every Wednesday this site discusses a rule pulled directly from the ITF Rules of Tennis as published in the USTA Friend at Court. The sequential march is currently in the midst of the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis.
Wheelchair players compete under the ITF Rules of Tennis. The modifications for wheelchair tennis are relatively minor. This establishes tennis as one of the premiere sports for adaptive competition. Head to head competition is possible between adaptive and non-adaptive competitors.
The most significant rule adjustment for wheelchair players was discussed last week. A competitor in a wheelchair is allowed two bounces of the ball before it is played. The next segment of the rules shifts the focus to the wheelchair.
The wheelchair is considered part of the body and all applicable rules, which apply to a player’s body, shall apply to the wheelchair.
Rules of Wheelchair Tennis, USTA Friend at Court
There are a lot of rules tennis relating to the player’s body. This includes things the player wears or carries. The statement that the wheelchair is considered to be part of the body for tennis not so much an adaptation but rather a clarification. That is relevant for scenarios when the ball strikes the wheelchair, something drops off the wheelchair, or the wheelchair comes into contact with the net.
The application of this adaptation becomes clear when coupled with other rules in the ITF Rules of Tennis. Section 24 “Player Loses Point” contains many relevant rules and stipulations where the categorization of the wheelchair is essential.
The point is lost if…
The ball in play touches the player or anything that the player is wearing or carrying, except the racket;
USTA Friend at Court, ITF Rules of Tennis, Player Loses Point, 24(i)
By categorizing the wheelchair as a part of the body, the point is clearly lost if the ball contacts the wheelchair. Similarly, the following rule illustrates the same principle if the wheelchair contacts the net.
The point is lost if…
The player or the racket, whether in the player’s hand or not, or anything which the player is wearing or carrying touches the net, net posts/singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band, or the opponent’s court at any time while the ball is in play
USTA Friend at Court, ITF Rules of Tennis, Player Loses Point, 24(g)
These are just a couple of examples of rules from the ITF Rules of Tennis that are impacted by the definition of wheelchair as body. There are many other instances that could have been used.
If a player understands the rules of tennis, and understands that the wheelchair is a part of the body, interpretation of the adaptive rule for a wheelchair player is clear. It is simple and elegant.
- United States Tennis Association (2020) Friend at Court. White Plains, NY
The USTA Friend at Court 2021 was published on the USTA officiating website this week. From this point forward, the rules discussion will be based on that version. The coverage of wheelchair tennis will take a pause next week in favor of an overview of the updates.
- United States Tennis Association (2021), Friend at Court: Handbook of Rules and Regulations, White Plains, NY
