In an officiated tennis match, the chair umpire cannot delegate ball mark inspection to a line umpire. The rules are explicit that only the chair umpire may perform that duty. The ITF Rules of Tennis stipulates that the umpire is also supposed to physically climb down from the chair to actually make the inspection.
When the chair umpire has decided to make a ball mark inspection, they should go down from the chair and make the inspection themselves. If they do not know where the mark is, they can ask the line umpire for help in locating the mark, but then the chair umpire shall inspect it.
Appendix VI, Ball Mark Inspection Procedures, ITF Rules of Tennis, USTA Friend at Court
Other than the indication that the chair umpire can ask the line umpire for help finding the mark, the ITF Rules of Tennis are otherwise silent on additional line umpire responsibilities. However, the USTA Tennis Officiating manual instructs the line umpire to maintain eye contact with the ball mark when anticipating that the chair umpire might need assistance.
If a Line Umpire thinks that the Chair Umpire may need help in locating a mark, the Line Umpire should keep the Umpire’s eyes on the ball mark instead of giving immediate eye contact to the Chair Umpire.
Clay Court Ball Inspection Procedures, USTA Tennis Officiating: Procedures and Techniques
Presumably the officiating manuals for the tours, ITF, and other national associations include similar instructions. The USTA Tennis Officiating manual is only valid for USTA sanctioned matches.
I have been unable to find any documented instance of a chair umpire actually requesting assistance from a line umpire when inspecting the mark. However, players try to assist the chair umpire with ball mark location at a high frequency. As it turns out, they have no rule based authority to do that. Players are exceedingly helpful in that regard.
Players also frequently continue to argue the call after the umpire has made a decision. It is an exercise in futility that is codified directly into the rules.
Once the chair umpire has identified and ruled on a ball mark, this decision is final and not appealable.
Appendix VI, Ball Mark Inspection Procedures, ITF Rules of Tennis, USTA Friend at Court
I have witnessed officiated amateur matches where the chair umpires ascent and descent was an impending disaster waiting to happen. Professional umpires are usually pretty nimble getting in and out of the chair.
I am closing today with a link to a highlight reel of WTA chair umpire Marija Cicak inspecting ball marks. It is an exhibition of pure grace and agility. The same video also illustrates how eager the players are to assist with that inspection as well as some examples of protracted arguments after judgement has been rendered.
Once again, Suarez-Navarro proves to be one of the classiest players in women’s tennis – no argument when her serve is called wide. She gracefully accepted the call and moved on.
Very good description and Marija is very good at ‘selling’ her ruling to the players.
The hardest thin for most humans is to not look at someone when they speak to you and if you do this when you are a line umpire you will probably lose the mark – which can be very embarrassing!
Many problems with ball mark inspections are caused, unwittingly, by the line crew. If the crew ‘over clean’ the line and brush the clay from the side of the line, it can be impossible to see where the edge of the ball landed. The best line crews are trained to clean the lines with any ‘over clean’ on the inside of the line.
I have also seen balls ‘skip’ on a nail head, leaving a mark a few millimetres from the line. Best to go with the ball mark, though!
It is important to note in unofficiated matches, ‘The Code’ mentions that a player does not have to show a ball mark. The reason for this is that a player may not be able to find the correct ball mark.