Yesterday we discussed the length of time allowed between points, which is only notionally relevant to matches played at the amateur level without the benefit of a shot clock. Today we transition to a part of the rule that is universally applicable at all levels of play.
A receiver who attempts to return the service shall be considered as being ready. If it is demonstrated that the receiver is not ready, the service cannot be called a fault.
USTA Friend at Court, ITF Rules of Tennis, Section 21
This is an extremely important nuance in the rules for those situations where the server is pressing the pace of play beyond what the receiver can reasonably support. Alternatively this can come into play with a server who is “heads down” prior to delivery and doesn’t notice that something has altered the receiver’s state of readiness.
The rule is clear that if the receiver attempts to return the serve, then the receiver was ready. As a result, if the receiver is not ready he should suppress the reflex to attempt to return the serve. By the letter of the law, attempting to do so eliminates the lack of readiness claim.
It is a little more complicated in doubles where the receiver might be ready, but the partner is not. The onus is on the receiver to ensure that his or her partner is also ready and to hold up a hand if not. It would also be advisable to not attempt to return the ball in the case where the receiver’s partner was not ready.
At team sectionals a few years ago I was chastised my my partner for waiting to serve until I was sure the receiver’s partner was ready. In that case she had started watching a point on an adjacent court and clearly was not ready to play. I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. After reviewing the rule, my viewpoint remains unmodified.
This rule is one of those rare and delightful instances in tennis where it pays off to not try.
- United States Tennis Association (2020) Friend at Court. White Plains, NY
