The question has come up this week about the new racket (pictured above) and its ensuing legality.
According to the USTA, the racket is perfectly legal. NOW--how about the serve pictured in the site below.
I'm sure you all have an opinion about his serve motion. Be sure to send in your comments and we'll see where it leads us...
7 comments:
I tend to think the service motion is legal since he isn't "running" before he hits it.
But then who am I know to know anything for sure...
A while back I worked a collegiate doubles match with partners each 6'10" in height. Based on the video, and speculating on the leaping ability of those gentlemen, they could have been close to the service line in their court prior to striking the serve. If this type of serve is legal, it would provide a huge advantage to taller players capable of leaping far into the court, without foot faulting, before striking the serve.
The Grape of Wrath
If the usta gods say the racket is legal, then I see nothing wrong with the serve. He's not touching the baseline or court prior to striking the ball. Someone who is 6'10" may have a serving advantage but someone who is 5'8" may get to shots quicker on the court. You play with what God gave you!
So we can assume that size doesn't matter in tennis?
Heard about this racket doing a Senior's match. Would like to see his other strokes with the double handle. How high was that toss to have time to change hands? Might make it difficult to play in Texas with our wind. Otherwise don't see anything illegal. I bet he came well into the court with a single handle too.
I believe this player's serve used to be more of a running jump (ala volleyball serve) which is illegal according to the Rules of Tennis.
Now his front foot makes a small movement, and we've all seen the foot "creepers" who from time to time foot-fault...as in this video I'd say that is borderline, so I would ask the referee what their judgement is about the serve and follow their direction.
The rule says you cannot change your position by walking or running. Question is, "What is the 'Official' interpretation of 'walking or running'? I have taught my students that my "unofficial" interpretation is that the server could step with the front foot or the back foot, but once the server has stepped with both feet prior to striking the ball, then he has changed position.
It appears from the video that the server stepped with the front foot, then jumped.
I say from my "unofficial" interpretation of walking or running, the serve is legal.
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