What's the Call

Have you ever had a dispute with a fellow player over a call on the court that you couldn’t settle? Or have you ever wondered why a certain ruling was made during a match you were watching? Maybe you’re just curious about how some scenarios, from the common to the ridiculous, are resolved.

The USTA Tennis Rules and Regulations Committee is here to answer your questions. Have a question of your own? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to What's the Call!

• Have you ever chosen a side during the coin toss and then have your opponent ask you to switch during warm-ups?
• Can a player return a serve before the ball bounces?
• Have you ever played a doubles team where both opponents stand in the receiving position behind the baseline?
• Have you ever been bothered by gnats and other bugs during the middle of a point? Can you call a let?
• Has your partner ever stopped a point after your serve is in play because he or she believes you announced the score wrong?
• Have you ever played a doubles team that attempts to switch sides on the return during a set?
• Has your opponent ever missed the ball on his or her first serve attempt?
• Has your opponent ever played a serve you thought was out?
• Are you entitled to a first serve if your opponent walks off court to retrieve an errant ball?
• Can you call a let from an off-court noise?
• Who do you to serve on the deciding point in a no-ad mixed doubles match?
• Can you cross the net to question a call?
• Can you call a let if a ball strikes another ball on the court during a point?
• Can one team serve out an entire doubles match?
• Are you allowed to pretend to hit a shot during a point?
• What happens if a ball that's going out hits your opponent's shoe?
• Is it permissible to take a sip of water in between each point of a match?
• Are doubles teams allowed to communicate with each other throughout the point?
• Do you have to move a ball that's on your side of the court?
• Do you lose the point if the ball touches your body?

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