I recently played against an opponent who used a racquet that had something rattling in the handle. Even his clean strokes sounded like mishits, confusing me. I asked the opponent if he was going to get his racquet fixed and he said it didn’t bother him. Is this racquet noise the same as a grunt or squeaky shoes? Should I just learn to live with it?—David Angelovich, Napa, CA
Yes. Nothing in Rule 4 or Appendix II to the ITF Rules, which govern this situation, says a rattling racquet is illegal. Buy a pair of earplugs if you must.
Except where noted, answers are based on the ITF Rules of Tennis and USTA's The Code.
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