Jumping over the Net

For me, some of the tennis rules are aspirational. Today’s ITF case decision falls firmly in that category. I simply do not have the athleticism to successfully violate this rule. In fact, if you ever see me even start to attempt this, just go ahead and call the ambulance. I am going to need it.

Case 5. Is a player allowed to jump over the net into the opponent’s court while the ball is in play?

Decision. No. The player loses the point.

USTA Friend at Court, ITF Rules of Tennis, Section 24

This case decision is highlights a subtlety in the rule discussed in “How to Lose a Point: Touching the Net.” Included in that rule is litany of things that a player cannot touch during a point beyond the net, including the opponent’s court. At the time I indicated that the court would be a topic for a future post. That deferral was because I was aware of this specific upcoming case ruling. The future is now.

I was also aware that it would be the perfect time to include a clip of the following point. As an administrative side note, YouTube has figured out that I am into such things and recommends this video to me on a regular and recurring basis.

In the clip, David Goffin is serving to Victor Troicki at 30-30. In the course of the point, Goffin hits a high bouncing drop shot and Troicki leaps over the net to hit a highlight reel smash winner.

Listening closely to the umpire at the end of the clip, the point is correctly awarded to Goffin. This is because Troicki’s feet land in Goffin’s court prior to the ball bouncing a second time, thus the ball was still in play. Had he landed in the double’s alley, then the point would have gone to Troicki. This is because the double’s alley is not a part of the singles court.

My friend Pushkar recently posted a video of himself jumping back and forth over the net as a casual flex comment to a thread in the Texas tournament player’s Facebook group. To be clear, were I to attempt the feat, it would look more like this amazing video from 1903, even with the incredibly low net.

There is a moral of this story for people who are able to jump over the net and have the opportunity to do so during the point. The point will be lost if you land in your opponent’s court during play. That being said, it would be totally worth it.

The rest of us will stand by with our phones at the ready to call 911, if necessary.

1. United States Tennis Association (2020) Friend at Court. White Plains, NY