Ball mark inspection by the chair umpire only applies to tennis matches played on clay courts. Additionally, the rules stipulate the times when ball mark inspection is allowed to occur. The clay court inspection procedures also provide the foundational philosophy underpinning modern electronic line challenge systems.
A ball mark inspection requested by a player (team) shall be allowed only if the chair umpire cannot determine the call with certainty from their chair on either a point-ending shot or when a player (team) stops playing the point during a rally (returns are permitted but then the player must immediately stop).
Appendix VI, Ball Mark Inspection Procedures, ITF Rules of Tennis, USTA Friend at Court
Mark inspection is allowed only if the shot in question terminated the point. The most natural ways for that to occur is a clean winner or a forced error. Additionally, the player (or team) may stop a point in progress if they feel certain that a ball was out. Another subtle time that inspection could be allowed is if the line official made an incorrect call, resulting in a hindrance.
Additionally, the player may return the ball before stopping the point to request inspection. That includes both service returns as well as other shots that occur during the point. That may be the most misunderstood and hotly debated aspect of this particular rule. There is a lot of room for interpretation on whether play was halted immediately.
There is another rule later on in this same section that is closely related to when an appeal can be made. This procedure is specific to doubles and may be in place because one player can make a good faith attempt to continue the point as their partner attempts to stop play to instigate an appeal.
In doubles the appealing player must make their appeal in such a way that either play stops or the chair umpire stops play. If an appeal is made to the chair umpire then they must first determine that the correct appeal procedure was followed. If it was not correct or if it was late, then the chair umpire may determine that the opposing team was deliberately hindered.
Appendix VI, Ball Mark Inspection Procedures, ITF Rules of Tennis, USTA Friend at Court
Another subtlety in this rule is that the chair umpire isn’t compelled to come out of the chair to perform an inspection. An exception is granted if a call can be confirmed or overruled with certainty from the elevated position. My guess is that it is pretty rare for the chair umpire to refuse to do that.
The ITF Rules of Tennis contain several more stipulations and procedures relating to ball mark inspection procedures. Consequently, we will continue to inspect ball marks for the next several Wednesdays.
Why are the players allowed an unlimited amount of requests to check the marks? Unlike the challenge system on other surfaces where they’re only allowed 3 each set. It also seems life a waste of money to set up the hawk eye system when it’s only used for tv .
Starting next year, the line calls at the French will be all electronic, so this issue is going away.
The limits on the number of appeals came into effect with the electronic line calling systems. In essence, they are in that “new” section of the rules. I guess no one ever thought to revisit that. It is that way because that is how it was historically handled for clay.
Hey Teresa! There was an on court issue at a recent Southern tournament where the opponent in a men’s match went across the net to look at a ball mark. A ref was called. the Referee reminded us, no opponent is allowed to cross the court to examine a ball mark. This was a good reminder.
Interesting, as this occured in Houston a couple of times, uninvited.