Rule of the Week

Rule of the Week Question

When you're opponent is taking some warm-up serves before the match, should you be practicing your returns?

Answer

The Code of Tennis, which governs the conduct of play when an issue is not covered by the tennis rules, says you should not practice your returns. You are supposed to have a short (5 or 10 minute warm-up) before a match, so you should allow your opponent to warm-up his serve without the distraction or time-consumption that would result if you are warming-up your return at the same time.