Court of Appeals: Police Your Court

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The tennis summer swing is in full force across all surfaces, and with the return to hard courts comes more debates over lines and serves, questionable calls, and the perennial query: What does The Code say?

Court of Appeals is here to clear the air. Rebel Good, a past editor of Friend at Court, the USTA’s handbook of rules and regulations, has taught officiating for more than 30 years and will resolve all your rules questions and quarrels.

Police Your Court

An opponent shanked the ball off the top of his racket. It came down about six inches past the net but hit a spare racket that was leaning against a chair right against the net and next to the sideline. It is unclear whether the racket was slightly on the line or not. The ball then hit the line. I didn't play it. We got into a big argument and my opponent claimed the point, but I thought we should replay it. What is the right call?

— Jon Pershke, Raleigh, NC

How about “none of the above”? You win the point because your opponent's shot hit a permanent fixture before landing in the proper court (Rule 24.d.). Under Rule 2, the spare racquet is considered a “permanent fixture” because both players accepted it being in that position before the point started. If you don't want stray items affecting play, police your court.

—Rebel Good

Got a question? Send it our way. Email your question to courtofappeals@tennis.com.