I usually prefer to have all three balls in my possession prior to serving. At the same time, I also recognize that it isn’t safe to assume that all other players share those same preferences. Some players actually get annoyed by opponents who regularly supply all three balls to them during their service games. If they are not willing to hold both extra balls in their pocket, then one of the balls invariably winds up at the back of the court near the fence.
Whenever I play a singles match with an unfamiliar opponent, I generally ask if they want two or three balls when serving and try to abide by their preference. In doubles, I give all the balls to the serving team with the expectation that they will sort out which player will hold the extra ball between themselves.
I once played a singles match against a Senior tennis player who has a little WTA prize money to her name. She was hard over on having the third ball. Ironically after she pulled a hamstring running for a drop shot late in the match, she became decidedly less fastidious about it. At that point, she was darn sure going to get the extra ball whether she wanted it or not.
The ITF Rules of Tennis is silent about a player who requests the third ball. However, the USTA Friend at Court weighs in on the matter within “The Code.” In a nutshell, the ball usually has to be provided.
Server’s request for third ball. When a server requests three balls, the receiver must comply when the third ball is readily available. Distant balls must be retrieved at the end of a game.
2023 USTA Friend at Court, The Code, Principle 22.
I am sure there have been on-court raging debates over what constitutes “distant.” Additionally, there are situations where the receiving team can benefit from retrieving a distant ball. One reason would be an attempt to “ice” the server with extra thinking time before a big point. “The Code” is silent over whether a server can insist that a distant ball be left there until the end of the game.
The last sentence of this principle is interesting. The word “must” implies an imperative for distant balls to be retrieved at the end of the game. It largely depends on the distance, but the general practice in my area is to wait for the changeover.
Another player in my area has been observed asking for all three balls and carefully positioning the extra at the fence in the direct line of site from where her opponent will be returning the serve. In fact, she will move the third ball from side to side during her service game. However, “The Code” provides a basis that it is reasonable to ask for the third ball to be moved from that location.
42. Retrieving stray balls. Each player is responsible for removing stray balls and other objects from the player’s end of the court. Whenever a ball is not in play, a player must honor an opponent’s request to remove a ball from the court or from an area outside the court that is reasonably close to the lines.
2023 USTA Friend at Court, The Code, Principle 22 (Partial)
I don’t have the energy for that level of gamesmanship.
- ITF Rules of Tennis, International Tennis Federation, 2023
- Friend at Court: The Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations, USTA, 2023
