We have been discussing the rules defining the service fault in tennis. The third in this series occurs when the serve hits a permanent fixture, a singles stick, or the net post before it strikes the ground. I have termed this type of service fault as “illegal contact.” It sounds so much better than another lap around the permanent fixture track.
The service is a fault if:
c. The ball served touches a permanent fixture, singles stick or net post before it hits the ground;
USTA Friend at Court, ITF Rules of Tennis, Section 19.c
This section may not be the rule that causes the most confusion in tennis, but it is most certainly in the conversation. The net post is NOT a permanent fixture, rather it is considered to be a part of the net. However, due to this particular rule the net post is treated similarly as a permanent fixture for the serve only. Thus a serve that strikes the net post is a fault, regardless of where the ball subsequently bounces.
When singles sticks are used, they are standing in for the net post. Essentially singles sticks are small portable net posts. The same rule applies to singles sticks, and it is clearly stated in the rule. This brings us to another curious Case Ruling.
Case 2: During a singles match played on a court with net posts and singles sticks, the ball served hits a singles stick and then hits the correct service court. Is this a fault?
Decision: Yes.
USTA Friend at Court, ITF Rules of Tennis, Section 19, Case 2.
I have compared that case ruling with the main body of the rule and still do not see anything unique to the question that isn’t already stated in the rule. I wonder if it is a side effect of the confusion over the net post association to the permanent fixture rule.
In the meantime, I have slotted this one into the category of “a rule so nice, they had to say it twice.”
- United States Tennis Association (2020) Friend at Court. White Plains, NY
It is established that if a player whiffs his/her serve and misses the ball, this is a fault.
If during the whiff the ball hits the player’s body i.e. foot, ankle or leg, does this count as a point against the server or just a fault?
I have actually seen this occur during a junior tennis match. It is just a fault.
Thank you very much. This happened in my league match today, lol
We are not quite there yet, but that is in section 24 of the ITF Rules of Tennis, which is “Player Loses Point.” (This is when this project moves into expert territory for me.)
“The point is lost if… g. 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.”
If a player touches the net post (or singles stick) during the point, is it end of the point? The player touches because he came running to hit back the ball, lost his control on step, touched the post to regain balance.