An interesting event took place in a recent ITA dual match and we would like to hear your opinions and thoughts on the matter.
In a doubles match, player A served the second serve. The ball hit the net and player A's partner reached up and caught the ball in the air.
How would you rule????
17 comments:
If I were a referee in Tulsa I would rule a default of player A and his partner because they can't grab their balls during a point.
That would be a double fault. Rule 19 states "The service is a fault if: (d) The ball served touches the server or server's partner, or anything the server or server's partner is wearing or carrying.
This topic has gotten a lot of attention for some unknown reason. It's pretty clear. In Men's Division I tennis, we all know there are no service lets. If the serve hits the net and goes into the service box, the ball is in play. Having said that, one can extrapolate that the ball MUST have passed OVER the net in order to land in the service box. Therefore, if the server's partner grabs the ball after it has rebounded from the net (i.e., hasn't passed the plane of the net), there is no way this could be a good serve. In this case, it would be a fault. Likewise, Rule 19 makes it clear that a ball striking the server or server's partner, or anything they are wearing, is a service fault. This can NEVER result in loss of point.
I must point out that this is true at every ITA event, with the possible one exception of Tulsa. Depending on who the Referee is, it may be a default of the offending player and team. They seem to be making up their own rules to help the 'ole home team.
Player A loses the point. No different than serving the ball into the back of his partner's head.
It would be a let unless the match was a men's match in which case it would be point to server.
The 9:31 comment is crude.
Since the server's partner caught the ball in flight, receiver wins the point. The ball must be allowed to bounce to determine if the serve is a fault or good in D1 men or a another second serve, in all others. If the ball was that close to the net, the catcher hindered play in D1 men and all others I would use the same logic as a ball caught that may have been out. Ball has to be allowed to bounce.
Depends if division I men, then team A would lose the point as it's still considered a live ball in play. If in a women's ITA match, I'd call a let.One would have to assume that the ball would have landed in the proper service court and been a let but the ball was caught before that could take place. I would not give the point to Team A.
Answer #1
This would obviously be a 'fault'; and therefore, double fault on this point; loss of point.
The serve didn't go over the net and was therefore never in play for the opponents.
Now the tricky question would be if this happened on the first serve.
Funny! Point to the serving team. Has to hit out before it's ruled out.
The question didn't specify men or women, but the answer would be the same for either.
loss of point, if receivers partner had caught the ball, it would be a let. It should be a doubles fault
Ball never bounced - point to receiving team. Explain to the coach that you KNEW for sure that the ball was going to land back on the servers side - IT NEVER HAPPENED - how can you be for sure?
Allow me to draw your attention to Rules of Tennis #22 on page 15 of our Friendly FAC. The service is a let if: (a) The ball served touches the net, strap or band, and is otherwise good; or, after touching the net, strap or band, touches the receiver or the receiver's partner or anything they wear or carry before hitting the ground.
I also submit if this occurred in any ITA division, if the ball served first struck the net and it was "clearly" obvious to all that the ball had no way of landing in the appropriate service box, I don't believe any reasonable player, coach, or official would argue the point. Kleinecke might though!
I'd suggest that we all call The Myronian for remedial training.
OMG please don't tell me we have that many officials out there that don't know the rule. Tennis GOD got it right. This is one of the simplest questions in a long time.
ANSWER (obtained after consulting many reputable referees):
The ball is a double fault since it was on a second serve.
Had the ball hit the net, crossed over into the receiver's end, and one of the opposing players caught the ball it would be a let.
The only exception would be in DI men's tennis where there are no lets and would have been loss of point for the receivers if they had caught the ball.
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