3. THE BALL (OLD 3, 13, 27 & 32)
Balls, which are approved for play under the Rules of Tennis, must comply
with the specifications in Appendix I.
The International Tennis Federation shall rule on the question of
whether any ball or prototype complies with Appendix I or is otherwise approved,
or not approved, for play. Such ruling may be taken on its own initiative,
or upon application by any party with a bona fide interest therein,
including any player, equipment manufacturer or National Association or
members thereof. Such rulings and applications shall be made in accordance
with the applicable Review and Hearing Procedures of the International
Tennis Federation (see Appendix VI).
The event organisers must announce in advance of the event:
a. The number of balls for play (2, 3, 4 or 6).
b. The ball change policy, if any.
Ball changes, if any, can be made either:
i. After an agreed odd number of games, in which case, the first
ball change in the match shall take place two games earlier
than for the rest of the match, to make allowance for the
warm-up. A tie-break game counts as one game for the ball
change. A ball change shall not take place at the beginning of a
tie-break game. In this case, the ball change shall be delayed
until the beginning of the second game of the next set; or
ii. At the beginning of a set
If a ball gets broken during play, the point shall be replayed.
Case 1: If a ball is soft at the end of a point, should the point be replayed?
Decision: If the ball is soft, not broken, the point shall not be replayed.
Note: Any ball to be used in a tournament which is played under the Rules
of Tennis, must be named on the official ITF list of approved balls issued by
the International Tennis Federation.
USTA Comment 3.1: What is the difference between a broken ball
and a soft ball? A broken ball has no compression; a soft ball has some
compression. Both broken and soft balls should be removed from play.
USTA Comment 3.2: May a player cause a ball to become wet by
using the ball to wipe perspiration from the player’s body? No. A
player may not take any action that materially changes the condition of
the ball; therefore, a player may not use a ball to wipe off perspiration.
USTA Comment 3.3: A current list of USTA approved balls is available
on the USTA web site, www.usta. com
4. THE RACKET (OLD 4)
Rackets, which are approved for play under the Rules of Tennis, must
comply with the specifications in Appendix II.
The International Tennis Federation shall rule on the question of whether
any racket or prototype complies with Appendix II or is otherwise approved,
or not approved, for play. Such ruling may be undertaken on its own initiative, or
upon application by any party with a bona fide interest therein, including any
player, equipment manufacturer or National Association or members thereof.
Such rulings and applications shall be made in accordance with the applicable
Review and Hearing Procedures of the International Tennis Federation
(see Appendix VI).
Case 1: Is more than one set of strings allowed on the hitting surface of a
racket?
Decision: No. The rule mentions a pattern (not patterns) of crossed
strings. (See Appendix II)
Case 2: Is the stringing pattern of a racket considered to be generally uniform
and flat if the strings are on more than one plane?
Decision: No.
Case 3: Can vibration damping devices be placed on the strings of a racket?
If so, where can they be placed?
Decision: Yes, but these devices may only be placed outside the pattern of
the crossed strings.
Case 4: During a point, a player accidentally breaks the strings. Can the
player continue to play another point with this racket?
Decision: Yes, except where specifically prohibited by event organisers.
Case 5: Is a player allowed to use more than one racket at any time during
play?
Decision: No.
Case 6: Can a battery that affects playing characteristics be incorporated
into a racket?
Decision: No. A battery is prohibited because it is an energy source, as are
solar cells and other similar devices.
USTA Comment 4.1: What happens if it is discovered after play
has begun that a player has been using an illegal racket or an illegally
strung racket? All points played stand. The player must find
another racket before continuing play. A player is subject to code violations
for delay under the Point Penalty System. If the discovery
occurs after the match is over, the match still counts.
USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a
string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement? A player who
leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for
delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player
Balls, which are approved for play under the Rules of Tennis, must comply
with the specifications in Appendix I.
The International Tennis Federation shall rule on the question of
whether any ball or prototype complies with Appendix I or is otherwise approved,
or not approved, for play. Such ruling may be taken on its own initiative,
or upon application by any party with a bona fide interest therein,
including any player, equipment manufacturer or National Association or
members thereof. Such rulings and applications shall be made in accordance
with the applicable Review and Hearing Procedures of the International
Tennis Federation (see Appendix VI).
The event organisers must announce in advance of the event:
a. The number of balls for play (2, 3, 4 or 6).
b. The ball change policy, if any.
Ball changes, if any, can be made either:
i. After an agreed odd number of games, in which case, the first
ball change in the match shall take place two games earlier
than for the rest of the match, to make allowance for the
warm-up. A tie-break game counts as one game for the ball
change. A ball change shall not take place at the beginning of a
tie-break game. In this case, the ball change shall be delayed
until the beginning of the second game of the next set; or
ii. At the beginning of a set
If a ball gets broken during play, the point shall be replayed.
Case 1: If a ball is soft at the end of a point, should the point be replayed?
Decision: If the ball is soft, not broken, the point shall not be replayed.
Note: Any ball to be used in a tournament which is played under the Rules
of Tennis, must be named on the official ITF list of approved balls issued by
the International Tennis Federation.
USTA Comment 3.1: What is the difference between a broken ball
and a soft ball? A broken ball has no compression; a soft ball has some
compression. Both broken and soft balls should be removed from play.
USTA Comment 3.2: May a player cause a ball to become wet by
using the ball to wipe perspiration from the player’s body? No. A
player may not take any action that materially changes the condition of
the ball; therefore, a player may not use a ball to wipe off perspiration.
USTA Comment 3.3: A current list of USTA approved balls is available
on the USTA web site, www.usta. com
4. THE RACKET (OLD 4)
Rackets, which are approved for play under the Rules of Tennis, must
comply with the specifications in Appendix II.
The International Tennis Federation shall rule on the question of whether
any racket or prototype complies with Appendix II or is otherwise approved,
or not approved, for play. Such ruling may be undertaken on its own initiative, or
upon application by any party with a bona fide interest therein, including any
player, equipment manufacturer or National Association or members thereof.
Such rulings and applications shall be made in accordance with the applicable
Review and Hearing Procedures of the International Tennis Federation
(see Appendix VI).
Case 1: Is more than one set of strings allowed on the hitting surface of a
racket?
Decision: No. The rule mentions a pattern (not patterns) of crossed
strings. (See Appendix II)
Case 2: Is the stringing pattern of a racket considered to be generally uniform
and flat if the strings are on more than one plane?
Decision: No.
Case 3: Can vibration damping devices be placed on the strings of a racket?
If so, where can they be placed?
Decision: Yes, but these devices may only be placed outside the pattern of
the crossed strings.
Case 4: During a point, a player accidentally breaks the strings. Can the
player continue to play another point with this racket?
Decision: Yes, except where specifically prohibited by event organisers.
Case 5: Is a player allowed to use more than one racket at any time during
play?
Decision: No.
Case 6: Can a battery that affects playing characteristics be incorporated
into a racket?
Decision: No. A battery is prohibited because it is an energy source, as are
solar cells and other similar devices.
USTA Comment 4.1: What happens if it is discovered after play
has begun that a player has been using an illegal racket or an illegally
strung racket? All points played stand. The player must find
another racket before continuing play. A player is subject to code violations
for delay under the Point Penalty System. If the discovery
occurs after the match is over, the match still counts.
USTA Comment 4.2: May a player who breaks a racket or a
string in a racket leave the court to get a replacement? A player who
leaves the Court to get a replacement is subject to Code Violations for
delays under the Point Penalty System. Rule 29b permits a player
