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Rule of the Week (4/15/97)

"When is it stalling?"

Every week TennisONE will respond to a frequently asked question about the rules of tennis.

Rule of the Week Question

I have a question when we're playing doubles. Let's say we and our opponents have just switched sides after taking the 90 seconds for the change-over. We get ready to serve and we turn to find our opponents now talking to each other for 20-30 seconds while we stand and wait. Can they do this?

Answer

No, they can't do this. USTA rules state that "play shall be continuous until the match is concluded," and that "the receiver must play to the reasonable pace of the server and must be ready to receive when the server is ready to serve." Teams have a maximum of 90 seconds when changing ends. This means 90 seconds from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of the game to the time the ball is struck for the first point of the next game. In your case, your opponents are violating both rules: 1) not playing at the server's reasonable pace; and 2) taking more than 90 seconds while changing ends. Politely but firmly tell them to do their talking during their 90 seconds.

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