The Rules of Tennis
It seems odd to find the rules for the warm-up in tennis relatively close to the conclusion of the main body of the rules. In the ITF Rules of Tennis, as printed in the USTA Friend at Court, the warm-up period is defined in the very last item in the “Continuous Play” section.
The warm-up time shall be a maximum of five (5) minutes, unless otherwise decided by the event organisers.
USTA Friend at Court, ITF Rules of Tennis, 29(e)
Most events that I have played stick with the 5 minute warm-up period, but enforcement of the rule varies. It can run from “not enforced at all” down to threats of imminent forfeiture for extending beyond the precise second that the umpire claims that time has expired. It is not uncommon for senior tournaments to specify a 10 minute warm up, which I think it reasonable especially when there aren’t any warm up courts available. A player who is serious about competing at their highest level should always warm up prior to taking the court with their opponent.
I am always annoyed when a tournament is running late and the umpires don’t strictly enforcing the warm up time limitations. It is frustrating to be the last in order of play at a site without lights while the tournament bleeds more time by not enforcing the rules.
On the other hand, it is incredibly irritating to warm up with an opponent who can’t seem to find the net person with a volley feed, and still have the warm up limitations strictly enforced. Usually in that situation I will opt out of my volley time to ensure enough time to take serves and hope for the best when the first volley actually comes my way once the match starts.
There is a USTA Comment (29.2) in this section that describes when players are entitled to another warm-up following a delay. The USTA rule is that if the match was suspended for 15 minutes then a new warm-up period is allowed. The warm-up period is supposed to be the same duration as the pre-match time should that transpire.
There is a curious caveat in the USTA comment surrounding the the mid-match re-warm-up. The USTA advises that when possible balls other than the match balls should be used in the re-warm-up. That rule is really only relevant in matches when the balls are periodically changed out. In that case if the match balls are used in the re-warm-up, the next ball change will be made two games sooner.
As we have finally completed the warm-up, this also marks the conclusion of the Continuous Play section of rules. Next Tuesday up in the queue: Coaching.
- United States Tennis Association (2020) Friend at Court. White Plains, NY
