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Rule of the Week (7/15/97)

"Correcting a bad call?"

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

Rule of the Week Question

In our doubles match, the opposing team's player served a second serve to me. The serve was deep and very close to the line. My partner called it out, and I hit the ball into the net. The opposing player asked if we were sure of the call, which I believe is allowed by the rules. I admitted that I thought the ball was good, and asked to play a let or take two serves. The opposing player said, no, we lose the point because I didn't return the ball successfully. Who was right?

Answer

Your opponents were right: you lose the point. In general, if you and your partner disagree about a call, the benefit of doubt should go to your opponents. In this specific instance, if you had successfully returned the serve, the whole point is to be replayed. Server gets two serves anytime a delay is caused by the Receiver, by an official or by an outside interference.

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