Rule of the Week

Rule of the Week (6/15/97)

"Deliberate Hindering"

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

Rule of the Week Question

Ok, this one is pretty weird. One of our doubles opponents hit a ball over our side of the net. Since it was hit with backspin and barely cleared the net, it hopped back over to their side of the net. My partner was about to reach over the net and hit the ball, which I know is allowed by the rules in this situation, but one of opponents deliberately stepped in the way. My partner didn't want to hit the opponent so he stopped his stroke. What's the ruling here?

Answer

The rules say that if a player deliberately hinders his opponent in making a stroke, he shall lose the point. So you should have won that point. If the hindrance is non-deliberate, the point is re-played.

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