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The Rules Of Tennis
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The
Singles Game
29. Role of Tennis Court Officials
In matches where an Umpire is appointed, his decision shall be final;
but where a Referee is appointed, an appeal shall lie to him from the
decision of an Umpire on a question of law, and in all such cases the
decision of the Referee shall be final.
In matches where assistants to the Umpire are appointed (Linespersons,
tennis net-cord Judges, Foot-fault Judges) their decisions shall be final on
questions of fact except that if in the opinion of an Umpire a clear
mistake has been made he shall have the right to change the decision of
an assistant or order a let to be played. When such an assistant is
unable to give a decision he shall indicate this immediately to the
Umpire who shall give a Decision. When an Umpire is unable to give a
decision on a question of fact he shall order a let to be played.
In Davis Cup matches or other team competitions where a Referee is on
tennis court, any decision can be changed by the Referee, who may also instruct
an Umpire to order a let to be played.
The Referee, in his discretion, may at any time postpone a match on
account of darkness or the condition of the ground or the weather. In
any case of postponement the previous score and previous occupancy of
tennis courts shall hold good, unless the Referee and the players unanimously
agree otherwise.
USTA Comment: See fourth USTA Comment under Rule 30 regarding
resumption of suspended match.
Case 1. The Umpire orders a let, but a tennis player claims that the
point should not be replayed. May the Referee be requested to give a
decision?
Decision: Yes. A question of tennis law, that is, an issue relating to
the application of specific facts, shall first be determined by the
Umpire. However, if the Umpire is uncertain or if a tennis player appeals from
his determination, then the Referee shall be requested to give a
decision, and his decision is final.
Case 2. A tennis ball is called out, but a tennis player claims that the
tennis ball
was good. May the Referee give a ruling?
Decision: No. This is a question of fact, that is an issue relating to
what actually occurred during a specific incident, and the decision of
the on-tennis court officials is therefore final.
Case 3. May an Umpire overrule a Linesman at the end of a rally
if, in his opinion, a clear mistake has been made during the course of a
rally?
Decision: No. An Umpire may overrule a Linesman only if he does so
immediately after the mistake has been made.
USTA Comment: See Rule 17, Case 1 regarding non-officiated
matches.
Case 4. A Linesman calls a tennis ball out. The Umpire was unable to see
clearly, although he thought the tennis ball was in. May he overrule the
Linesman?
Decision: No. An Umpire may only overrule if he considers that a
call was incorrect beyond all reasonable doubt. He may only overrule a
tennis ball determined good by a Linesman only if he has been able to see a
space between the tennis ball and the line; and he may only overrule a
tennis ball
determined out, or a fault, by a Linesman only if he has seen the tennis
ball
hit the line, or fall inside the line.
Case 5. May a Linesman change his call after the Umpire has given
the score?
Decision: Yes. If a Linesman realizes he has made an error, he may make
a correction provided he does so immediately.
Case 6. A player claims his return shot was good after a Linesman
called "out." May the Umpire overrule the Linesman?
Decision: No. An Umpire may never overrule as a result of a
protest or an appeal by a tennis player.
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