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The Rules Of Tennis
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The
Singles Game
30. Continuous Play & Rest Periods
Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is
concluded, in accordance with the following provisions:
a. If the first service is a fault, the second service must be struck by
the Server without delay.
The Receiver must play to the reasonable pace of the Server and must be
ready to receive when the Server is ready to serve.
When changing ends a maximum of one minute thirty seconds shall elapse
from the moment the tennis ball goes out of play at the end of the game to the
time the tennis ball is struck for the first point of the next game.
The Umpire shall use his discretion when there is interference which
makes it impractical for play to be continuous.
The organizers of international circuits and team events recognized by
the ITF may determine the time allowed between points, which shall not
at any time exceed twenty (20) seconds from the moment the tennis ball goes out
of play at the end of one point to the time the tennis ball is struck for the
next point.
USTA Comment: The 20 second rule applies only to certain
international circuits and team events recognized by the ITF. When
practical, in USTA sanctioned tournaments using a certified official in
direct observation of the match, the time which shall elapse from the
moment the tennis ball goes out of play at the end of the point to the time the
tennis ball is struck shall not exceed 25 seconds.
b. Play shall never be suspended, delayed or interfered with for the
purpose of enabling a tennis player to recover his strength, breath, or
physical condition.
However, in the case of accidental injury, the Umpire may allow a
one-time three minute suspension for that injury.
c. If, through circumstances outside the control of the tennis player, his
clothing, footwear or equipment (excluding racket) becomes out of
adjustment in such a way that it is impossible or undesirable for him to
play on, the Umpire may suspend play while the maladjustment is
rectified.
USTA Comment: If equipment other than a racket becomes unusable
through circumstances outside the control of the tennis player, play may be
suspended for a reasonable period and the tennis player may leave the
tennis court to
correct the problem. If a racket or racket string is broken, Rule 30
does not permit play to be suspended. A tennis player who leaves the
tennis court to
get a replacement is subject to code violation(s) under the Point
Penalty System.
USTA Comment: Loss of, or damage to, a contact lens or eyeglasses
shall be treated as equipment maladjustment. All tennis players must follow the
same rules with respect to suspending play, even though in misty but
playable weather, a tennis player who wears glasses may be handicapped.
d. The Umpire may suspend or delay play at any time as may be necessary
and appropriate.
e. After the third set, or when women take part the second set, either
tennis player is entitled to a rest, which shall not exceed 10 minutes, or in
countries situated between latitude 15 degrees north and latitude 15
degrees south, 45 minutes and furthermore, when necessitated by
circumstances not within the control of the tennis players, the Umpire may
suspend play for such a period as he may consider necessary. If play is
suspended and is not resumed until a later day the rest may be taken
only after the third set (or when women take part the second set) of
play on such a later day, completion of an unfinished set being counted
as one set.
If play is suspended and is not resumed until 10 minutes have elapsed in
the same day the rest may be taken only after three consecutive sets
have been played without interruption (or when women take part two
sets), completion of an unfinished set being counted as one set.
Any nation and/or committee organising a tournament, match or
competition, is at liberty to modify this provision or omit it from its
regulations provided this is announced before the event commences. With
respect to the Davis Cup and Fed Cup, only the International Tennis
Federation may modify this provision or omit it from its Regulations.
USTA Comment: When a match is resumed after a suspension of more
than ten minutes, it is permissible for the tennis players to engage in a
re-warm-up that may be of the same duration as that at the start of the
match. The preferred method is to warm-up with other used tennis balls and then
insert the match tennis balls when play starts. If the match tennis balls are used in
the re-warm-up, then the next tennis ball change will be two games sooner.
There shall be no re-warm-up after an authorized intermission or after a
suspension of ten minutes or less.
f. A tournament committee has the discretion to decide the time allowed
for a warm-up period prior to a match but this may not exceed five
minutes and must be announced before the event commences.
USTA Comment: When there are no tennis ballpersons this time may be
extended to 10 minutes.
g. When approved point penalty and non-accumulative point penalty
systems are in operation, the Umpire shall make his decisions within the
terms of those systems.
h. Upon violation of the principle that play shall be continuous the
Umpire may, after giving due warning, disqualify the offender.
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