The 2023 ITF Rules of Tennis

Ever since New Year’s Day rolled around I have been eagerly anticipating the release of the 2023 ITF Rules of Tennis. As a blog that started with a rules-oriented focus, I regard monitoring updates to that document as a part of this site’s core mission. The ITF published the document a little later than usual this year, but it is finally out. My quick scan of the new version revealed no significant changes to the ITF Rules of Tennis for 2023. That was basically what was expected.

I did note that the ITF forgot to update the copyright date at the end of the document this year. That oversight makes this one-woman show feel better about my own numerous typos and grammatical errors. This site is a hobby that operates without an editor or any paid staff.

For the past few years, temporary variations to the ITF Rules of Tennis have been published in an addendum. The approval granted by the ITF Board of Directors was issued in 2020 and was extended in 2021, 2022, and now 2023. The reason given for the continued extension was the limited number of events where the variations have been evaluated.

However, there were some changes in the variations addendum. For example, the following variations were slightly modified for 2023:

Rule 30 – Coaching: The WTA, ATP, and Grand Slams may conduct trials of off-court coaching at their events. Previously this variation was only for the WTA.
Appendix V – Alternative procedures and scoring methods: The Grand Slams may conduct a trial of a 10-point tie-break when the score reaches 6-6 in the final set of men’s and women’s singles and doubles draws, including wheelchair singles and doubles matches and juniors singles matches, during their events. Previously this variation was only for Tennis Australia, i.e. the Australian Open.

The following variation is continued for 2023 without modification:

Rule 2 – Permanent Fixtures: Companies that have obtained ITF Approval for Player Analysis Technology (PAT) equipment may attach those PAT devices to the tennis net post(s), to enable line-calling and player analytics.

Additionally, one variation has disappeared entirely for 2023:

Appendix V – Alternative procedures and scoring methods: The All England Lawn Tennis Club may conduct a trial of a final set tie-break when the score reaches 12-12 at the Wimbledon Championships. I anticipate an update on scoring from the All England Club prior to the Championships this year. There was no update to Appendix V for permanent inclusion.

This year also has variations for the color of the balls in Beach Tennis and optional lower net height for red and orange Quick Start play. I have yet to detail those baseline rules and feel justified for only giving them this scant mention this year.

Since the ITF Rules of Tennis is reprinted in the USTA Friend at Court, its release is a predecessor to publishing the 2023 USTA Rules. The availability usually lags because the USTA does not release the electronic document until printed copies are received from the printer. You can order a print copy from the USTA’s National Pro Shop (unsponsored) if the electronic pdfs won’t work for you.

I am now eagerly anticipating the release of the 2023 USTA Friend at Court.