The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the custodian of the Rules of Tennis. Despite the fact that I frequently cite the USTA Friend at Court when writing about the rules, the ITF is the definitive source for that information. The USTA does not have the authority to override or change the fundamental rules of the sport. Only the ITF can do that.
The weekly series of rules-oriented posts is now meandering into Appendix IX of the Rules of Tennis. That section describes the procedures and hearings process for making changes to the foundational rules of the sport. Changing the Rules of Tennis is not something that is casually done. In fact, the first substantive text in Appendix IX provides the guiding principles behind ITF stewardship.
The International Tennis Federation is the custodian of the Rules of Tennis and is committed to:
The ITF Rules of Tennis, Appendix XI, Section 2.1
- Preserving the traditional character and integrity of the game of tennis.
- Actively preserving the skills traditionally required to play the game.
- Encouraging improvements, which maintain the challenge of the game.
- Ensuring fair competition.
Unless the Asian swing of the professional tours serves up some interesting rules scenarios to break down, we will be diving back into the fundamental ITF Rules of Tennis for the rest of the year. That will start with an examination of how the rules were originally baselined. From there I plan to also examine the more noteworthy rules evolutions that have occurred in the sport. I think it will be an interesting thought exercise to consider those updates framed by the principles outlined above.
This will undoubtedly require a few more laps around the Jimmy Van Alen track, which is why I read and reviewed “Tie Breaker: Jimmy Van Alen and Tennis in the 20th Century” last week. Discussing modifications to the ITF Rules of Tennis requires revisiting that fascinating agent of change in the sport.
- Friend at Court: The Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations, USTA, 2023
- ITF Rules of Tennis, International Tennis Federation, 2023
