Rules Archives

Reflecting on a Wheelchair Tennis Rule

On March 17, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Rules

There is a elegant simplicity to the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis. The ITF Rules of Tennis are constructed in a way that makes it clear that everyone plays tennis under the same basic rules. The adaptations of those rules for Wheelchair Tennis players are codified in a separate section that only addresses those modifications. As we have been working through our sequential examination of the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis addendum, each section typically overrides or adapts a rule on the books from the main body of the ITF Rules of Tennis.

Losing Points in Wheelchair Tennis

On March 10, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Rules

Long time readers of the Fiend at Court may recall that I rejoiced when this steady march through the ITF Rules of Tennis reached the section titled “Player Loses Point.” I am nothing, if not an expert, in the art of losing a point. Now that this project is in the midst of the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis, it comes at no surprise to discover that there are some unique ways in which a wheelchair player can lose a point.

Service Alternatives in Wheelchair Tennis

On March 3, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Rules

As we continue to work through the Rules of Wheelchair tennis, the final adaptation for delivery of the service presents a perplexing conundrum. While some wheelchair players can execute a conventional tennis serve, sometimes physical limitations make that action an impossibility. There is a rule adaptation that accommodates that situation.

A Rolling Start in Wheelchair Tennis

On February 24, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Rules

There are a handful of adaptations in the Rules of Wheelchair tennis regarding the serve. Most notable of these is that that the service motion starts from a stationary position. However, the player delivering the service is permitted one push to build momentum before striking the ball.

Three New USTA Wheelchair Comments

On February 17, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Rules

The recently released 2021 Friend at Court includes three new USTA comments against the ITF Rules of Tennis. Since this site is currently in the middle of exploring the section of that contains the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis, it makes sense to cover these comments now. This requires a little backtracking. All three of the new USTA comments are in the main body of the ITF Rules of Tennis rather than the wheelchair section.

The English Language and the ITF

On February 10, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Rules

The first change that appears in the 2021 USTA Friend at Court comes courtesy of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). It is a seemingly inconsequential note appended to the Forward of the ITF Rules of Tennis. This makes it high time to revisit the relationship between the USTA and the ITF.

USTA Friend at Court 2021

On February 3, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Rules

The 2021 edition of the USTA Friend at Court was released a little over a week ago. As was anticipated after examining the 2021 ITF Rules of Tennis earlier this year, there are no substantive rule changes involving match play in this year’s updates. However, there are some significant structural changes that were made to the Friend at Court as well as a slew of new USTA event regulations.

Andy Murray’s Wardrobe Malfunction

On January 31, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Unplugged

Remember that time when Andy Murray couldn’t keep his balls in his shorts? In 2012, there was an issue with Murray’s clothing that resulted in tennis balls accidentally falling out of his pocket during points. The recurring hindrance calls forced Adidas to make a mid-tournament update to his shorts to address his issues. It is an interesting case study in a hindrance caused by something that is within a player’s control yet still unintentional.

1 response

Hindrance is in the Eye of the Beholder

On January 30, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Unplugged

In 2020, this site launched into coverage of the hindrance rule in tennis with the post “Hindrance in Tennis: A Conceptual Description.” As it turns out, hindrance is one of the more subjective and controversial items encoded in the ITF Rules of Tennis as published within the USTA Friend at Court.

About the Wheelchair

On January 27, 2021 By Teresa Merklin

Rules

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.

Latest Posts

Category: Rules