KU Intramural Tennis Rules
INTRAMURAL TENNIS RULES Current regulations of the United States Tennis Association will apply in all cases, except where specific Intramural Sports Rules apply. Rule 1 – Eligibility Rule 2 – Court and Equipment Rule 3 – Players Rule 4 – Scoring Rule 5 – The Game Rule 6 – Doubles Play Rule 7 – Tournament Format
RULE 1 - ELIGIBILITY I.
Please see your Intramural Sports Policies and Procedures for eligibility criteria. RULE 2 - COURT AND EQUIPMENT Section 1. Court
I.
The singles court is a 78-foot-long, 27-foot-wide rectangle. The court for doubles is the same length as the singles court, but "alleys" are added to increase the width of the court by 4.5 feet on each side. Most of the lines bounding the court are one to two inches thick.
II.
The right and left service court on each side of the middle net shall consist of 21 feet long by 13.6 feet wide. On either side of the center net the court is 39 feet long. The serving zone mark shall be located in the center of the baseline located 13 feet from the edge of the singles width line and 18 feet from the edge of the doubles width line. Section 2. Net
I.
II.
The net is one of uniform height from side to side. However, the strap covering the cable at the top of the net must be 3.6 feet from the ground where it touches the supporting poles on either side of the court, and its height must be held down to 3 feet from the ground by a strap at the center of the court. The net should be constructed so that the ball is not able to pass through it. The posts supporting the net should be 3 feet outside the court. If a doubles court is used for singles, the net should be supported to the proper height of 3.6 feet by singles sticks, which should be placed 3 feet outside the singles court. Section 3. Ball
I.
The ball should be approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and weigh 2 ounces. If it has seams they should be stitchless. Officially, the ball should bounce more than 53 inches and less than 58 inches when dropped from 100 inches upon a concrete base. P a g e |1 Rev. 01.18
II.
Participants must provide their own tennis balls for play in this tournament. Section 4. Racket
I.
II.
The hitting surface of the racket should be flat and uniform, with one set of regularly interlaced or banded strings. Strings should not be less dense in the center or "sweet spot" than in any other part of the racket. Participants must provide their own racquet for play in this tournament. Racquets may be rented from the Equipment Checkout Desk of the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center. The racket should be no more than 32 inches in overall length, and the hitting surface should be no more than 12.5 inches in width, including the frame. Exclusively of the frame, the strung surface, even with today's oversized rackets, should not exceed 15.5 inches in length or 11.5 inches in width. The balance or shape of the racket may not be adjusted during play.
RULE 3 - PLAYERS I. II.
The word "player" applies to all those taking part in a game. The game shall be played, by two players a side in the case of the doubles games, and by one player a side in the case of the singles games. RULE 4 - SCORING
I.
Men's, Women's and Mixed doubles and singles shall consist of a best 2 out of 3, three game set for all matches. Advantage scoring will be used.
II.
When serving in the tie-breaker set, the player whose turn it is to serve shall be the server for the first point. His/Her opponent shall be the server of the second and third points, and thereafter each player shall serve two consecutive points until the winner of the game and set has been decided.
III.
From the first point, each service shall be delivered alternately from the right and left courts, beginning from the right court. If service from the wrong half of the court occurs and is undetected, all play resulting from such wrong service or services shall stand, but the inaccuracy shall be corrected immediately when discovered. Players shall change ends after every six points. RULE 5 - THE GAME Section 1. Server And Receiver
I.
The players shall stand on opposite sides of the net; the player who first delivers the ball shall be called the server, and the other the receiver.
P a g e |2 Rev. 01.18
Section 2. The Service The service shall be delivered in the following manner: I.
The server shall stand with both feet at rest behind the base-line, and within the imaginary continuations of the center-mark and side-line. The server shall then project the ball by hand into the air in any direction and before it hits the ground strike it with his racket. The delivery shall be deemed to have been completed at the moment of the impact of the racket and ball.
II.
A foot fault occurs when: the server changes his/her position by walking or running, or the server touches with either foot any area other than that behind the base-line within the imaginary extensions of the center mark and side-lines while serving.
III.
In delivering the service, the server shall stand alternately behind the right and left courts beginning from the right in every game. If service from the wrong half of the court occurs and is undetected, all play resulting from such wrong service or services shall stand, but the inaccuracy of the station shall be corrected immediately when discovered. The ball served shall pass over the net and hit the ground within the service court which is diagonally opposite, or upon any line bounding such court.
IV.
Service fault occurs: a. If the server commits any breach of serving rules; or a. If he/she misses the ball in attempting to strike it; or b. If the ball serves touches a permanent fixture (other than the net, strap or band) before it hits the ground. c. The ball served touches the server or server’s partner, or anything the server or server’s partner is wearing or carrying.
V.
VI.
Second service: after a fault (if it is the first fault) the server shall serve again from behind the same half of the court from which he/she served the fault. When to serve: the server shall not serve until the receiver is ready. If the latter attempts to return the service, he/she shall be deemed ready.
VII.
A "let" serve: a. If the ball served touches the net, strap or band, and is otherwise good, or after touching the net, strap or band, touches the receiver or anything which he wears or carries before hitting the ground. b. If a service or a fault is delivered when the receiver is not ready.
VIII.
Order of Serve: At the end of the first game the receiver shall become server, and the server shall become receiver; and so on alternately in all the subsequent games of a match. If a player serves out of turn, the player who ought to have served shall serve as soon as the mistake is discovered, but all points scored before such discovery shall be reckoned. If a game is completed before such discovery, the order of service remains as altered. A fault served before such discovery shall not be reckoned. P a g e |3 Rev. 01.18
Section 3. When Players Change Ends I.
II.
Players shall change ends at the end of the first, third and every subsequent alternate game of each set, and at the end of each set unless the total number of games in such set is even, in which case the change is not made until the end of the first game of the next set. If a mistake is made and the correct sequence is not followed, the players must take up their correct stations as soon as the discovery is made and follow their original sequence. Section 4. Ball In Play
I.
A ball is in play from the moment at which it is delivered in service. Unless a fault or a let is called it remains in play until the point is decided. Section 5. Server Wins Point
I.
The server wins point: a. If the ball served, not being a "let", touches the receiver or anything which he/she wears or carries, before it hits the ground; or a. If the receiver otherwise loses the point as provided under the section "player loses point". Section 6. Receiver Wins Point
I.
The receiver wins the point: a. If the server serves two consecutive faults; or a. If the server otherwise loses the point as provided under the section "player loses point". Section 7. Player Loses Point
I.
Players loses the point if: a. The player serves two consecutive faults; or b. The player does not return the ball in play before it bounces twice consecutively; or c. The player returns the ball in play so that it hits the ground, or before it bounces, an object, outside the correct court; or d. The player returns the ball in play so that, before it bounces, it hits a permanent fixture; or e. The receiver returns the service before it bounces; or f. The player deliberately carries or catches the ball in play on the racket or deliberately touches it with the racket more than once; or g. The player or the racket, whether in the player’s hand or not, or anything which the player is wearing or carrying touches the net, net posts/singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band, or the opponent’s court at any time while the ball is in play; or h. The player hits the ball before it has passed the net; or i. The ball in play touches the player or anything that the player is wearing or carrying, except the racket; or P a g e |4 Rev. 01.18
j. The ball in play touches the racket when the player is not holding it; or k. The player deliberately and materially changes the shape of the racket when the ball is in play; or l. In doubles, both players touch the ball when returning it. Section 8. Hinders I.
If a player commits any act which hinders his opponent in making a stroke, then, if this is deliberate, he/she shall lose the point or if involuntary, the point shall be replayed. In case a player is hindered in making a stroke by anything not within his/her control, a let shall be called. Section 9. Ball Falls on Line
I.
A ball falling on a line is regarded as falling in the court bounded by that line. Section 10. Permanent Fixtures
I.
If the ball in play touches a permanent fixture (other than the net, posts, singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band) after it has hit the ground, the player who struck it wins the point; if before it hits the ground, his/her opponent wins the point. Section 11. A Good Return
I.
It is a good return if: a. The ball touches the net, net posts/singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band, provided that it passes over any of them and hits the ground within the correct court; except as provided in Rule 5-7-d; or b. After the ball in play has hit the ground within the correct court and has spun or been blown back over the net, the player reaches over the net and plays the ball into the correct court, provided that the player does not break Rule 5-7; or c. The ball is returned outside the net posts, either above or below the level of the top of the net, even though it touches the net posts, provided that it hits the ground in the correct court; except as provided in Rule 5-7-d; or d. The ball passes under the net cord between the singles stick and the adjacent net post without touching either net, net cord or net post and hits the ground in the correct court, or e. The player’s racket passes over the net after hitting the ball on the player’s own side of the net and the ball hits the ground in the correct court; or f. The player hits the ball in play, which hits another ball lying in the correct court.
P a g e |5 Rev. 01.18
RULE 6 - DOUBLES PLAY Section 1. Order of Service I.
The pair who will serve in the first game of each set decides which partner will actually be serving that game. The opposing duo decides similarly for the second game. The partner of the player who served the first game serves the third. The partner of the player who served the second serves the fourth, and so on. Then the cycle starts again. If the set ends in the middle of the cycle, the cycle starts a new with the next set. The foursome could establish a new cycle which they would then adhere to for that set. Section 2. Order of Receiving
I.
The pair who will receive service in the first game decides which partner will receive the service for the first point, and that partner will receive first service in every odd game throughout the set. The opposing pair does the same for the second game and continues accordingly. Section 3. Errors in Order
I.
II.
If an error in serving order is made the mistake should be fixed immediately, but the score, including any faults, stands. However, if the players realize an error in receiving order, they should not rectify it until the end of the game. Rule Reminders: a. Partners are not required to play the ball alternately; b. If both partners strike the ball when returning it, loss of point; c. The mere clashing of rackets does not count as a double hit; d. If you strike your partner with the ball during play, loss of point; e. If you strike your partner with the serve it will be a service fault; f. If your partner fails to show up for a doubles match, your team will automatically forfeit the match. You are not allowed to compete against your opponents as an individual. RULE 8 - TOURNAMENT FORMAT
I.
Players will have one week to play their matches before advancing to the next round of the bracket. The bracket will be updated on Fridays for each round. Scores must be submitted via email to [email protected] before or on the date specified on IMLeagues.com. Participants are responsible for contacting their opponent for each match and setting up a game time. Failure to complete the match by the deadline will result in a double forfeit. If one participant attempts to contact their opponent, and is unable, that participant must notify The Intramural Sports program by the deadline in order to advance. Failure to notify The Intramural Sports program will result in a double forfeit.
P a g e |6 Rev. 01.18
RULE 1 - ELIGIBILITY I.
Please see your Intramural Sports Policies and Procedures for eligibility criteria. RULE 2 - COURT AND EQUIPMENT Section 1. Court
I.
The singles court is a 78-foot-long, 27-foot-wide rectangle. The court for doubles is the same length as the singles court, but "alleys" are added to increase the width of the court by 4.5 feet on each side. Most of the lines bounding the court are one to two inches thick.
II.
The right and left service court on each side of the middle net shall consist of 21 feet long by 13.6 feet wide. On either side of the center net the court is 39 feet long. The serving zone mark shall be located in the center of the baseline located 13 feet from the edge of the singles width line and 18 feet from the edge of the doubles width line. Section 2. Net
I.
II.
The net is one of uniform height from side to side. However, the strap covering the cable at the top of the net must be 3.6 feet from the ground where it touches the supporting poles on either side of the court, and its height must be held down to 3 feet from the ground by a strap at the center of the court. The net should be constructed so that the ball is not able to pass through it. The posts supporting the net should be 3 feet outside the court. If a doubles court is used for singles, the net should be supported to the proper height of 3.6 feet by singles sticks, which should be placed 3 feet outside the singles court. Section 3. Ball
I.
The ball should be approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and weigh 2 ounces. If it has seams they should be stitchless. Officially, the ball should bounce more than 53 inches and less than 58 inches when dropped from 100 inches upon a concrete base. P a g e |1 Rev. 01.18
II.
Participants must provide their own tennis balls for play in this tournament. Section 4. Racket
I.
II.
The hitting surface of the racket should be flat and uniform, with one set of regularly interlaced or banded strings. Strings should not be less dense in the center or "sweet spot" than in any other part of the racket. Participants must provide their own racquet for play in this tournament. Racquets may be rented from the Equipment Checkout Desk of the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center. The racket should be no more than 32 inches in overall length, and the hitting surface should be no more than 12.5 inches in width, including the frame. Exclusively of the frame, the strung surface, even with today's oversized rackets, should not exceed 15.5 inches in length or 11.5 inches in width. The balance or shape of the racket may not be adjusted during play.
RULE 3 - PLAYERS I. II.
The word "player" applies to all those taking part in a game. The game shall be played, by two players a side in the case of the doubles games, and by one player a side in the case of the singles games. RULE 4 - SCORING
I.
Men's, Women's and Mixed doubles and singles shall consist of a best 2 out of 3, three game set for all matches. Advantage scoring will be used.
II.
When serving in the tie-breaker set, the player whose turn it is to serve shall be the server for the first point. His/Her opponent shall be the server of the second and third points, and thereafter each player shall serve two consecutive points until the winner of the game and set has been decided.
III.
From the first point, each service shall be delivered alternately from the right and left courts, beginning from the right court. If service from the wrong half of the court occurs and is undetected, all play resulting from such wrong service or services shall stand, but the inaccuracy shall be corrected immediately when discovered. Players shall change ends after every six points. RULE 5 - THE GAME Section 1. Server And Receiver
I.
The players shall stand on opposite sides of the net; the player who first delivers the ball shall be called the server, and the other the receiver.
P a g e |2 Rev. 01.18
Section 2. The Service The service shall be delivered in the following manner: I.
The server shall stand with both feet at rest behind the base-line, and within the imaginary continuations of the center-mark and side-line. The server shall then project the ball by hand into the air in any direction and before it hits the ground strike it with his racket. The delivery shall be deemed to have been completed at the moment of the impact of the racket and ball.
II.
A foot fault occurs when: the server changes his/her position by walking or running, or the server touches with either foot any area other than that behind the base-line within the imaginary extensions of the center mark and side-lines while serving.
III.
In delivering the service, the server shall stand alternately behind the right and left courts beginning from the right in every game. If service from the wrong half of the court occurs and is undetected, all play resulting from such wrong service or services shall stand, but the inaccuracy of the station shall be corrected immediately when discovered. The ball served shall pass over the net and hit the ground within the service court which is diagonally opposite, or upon any line bounding such court.
IV.
Service fault occurs: a. If the server commits any breach of serving rules; or a. If he/she misses the ball in attempting to strike it; or b. If the ball serves touches a permanent fixture (other than the net, strap or band) before it hits the ground. c. The ball served touches the server or server’s partner, or anything the server or server’s partner is wearing or carrying.
V.
VI.
Second service: after a fault (if it is the first fault) the server shall serve again from behind the same half of the court from which he/she served the fault. When to serve: the server shall not serve until the receiver is ready. If the latter attempts to return the service, he/she shall be deemed ready.
VII.
A "let" serve: a. If the ball served touches the net, strap or band, and is otherwise good, or after touching the net, strap or band, touches the receiver or anything which he wears or carries before hitting the ground. b. If a service or a fault is delivered when the receiver is not ready.
VIII.
Order of Serve: At the end of the first game the receiver shall become server, and the server shall become receiver; and so on alternately in all the subsequent games of a match. If a player serves out of turn, the player who ought to have served shall serve as soon as the mistake is discovered, but all points scored before such discovery shall be reckoned. If a game is completed before such discovery, the order of service remains as altered. A fault served before such discovery shall not be reckoned. P a g e |3 Rev. 01.18
Section 3. When Players Change Ends I.
II.
Players shall change ends at the end of the first, third and every subsequent alternate game of each set, and at the end of each set unless the total number of games in such set is even, in which case the change is not made until the end of the first game of the next set. If a mistake is made and the correct sequence is not followed, the players must take up their correct stations as soon as the discovery is made and follow their original sequence. Section 4. Ball In Play
I.
A ball is in play from the moment at which it is delivered in service. Unless a fault or a let is called it remains in play until the point is decided. Section 5. Server Wins Point
I.
The server wins point: a. If the ball served, not being a "let", touches the receiver or anything which he/she wears or carries, before it hits the ground; or a. If the receiver otherwise loses the point as provided under the section "player loses point". Section 6. Receiver Wins Point
I.
The receiver wins the point: a. If the server serves two consecutive faults; or a. If the server otherwise loses the point as provided under the section "player loses point". Section 7. Player Loses Point
I.
Players loses the point if: a. The player serves two consecutive faults; or b. The player does not return the ball in play before it bounces twice consecutively; or c. The player returns the ball in play so that it hits the ground, or before it bounces, an object, outside the correct court; or d. The player returns the ball in play so that, before it bounces, it hits a permanent fixture; or e. The receiver returns the service before it bounces; or f. The player deliberately carries or catches the ball in play on the racket or deliberately touches it with the racket more than once; or g. The player or the racket, whether in the player’s hand or not, or anything which the player is wearing or carrying touches the net, net posts/singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band, or the opponent’s court at any time while the ball is in play; or h. The player hits the ball before it has passed the net; or i. The ball in play touches the player or anything that the player is wearing or carrying, except the racket; or P a g e |4 Rev. 01.18
j. The ball in play touches the racket when the player is not holding it; or k. The player deliberately and materially changes the shape of the racket when the ball is in play; or l. In doubles, both players touch the ball when returning it. Section 8. Hinders I.
If a player commits any act which hinders his opponent in making a stroke, then, if this is deliberate, he/she shall lose the point or if involuntary, the point shall be replayed. In case a player is hindered in making a stroke by anything not within his/her control, a let shall be called. Section 9. Ball Falls on Line
I.
A ball falling on a line is regarded as falling in the court bounded by that line. Section 10. Permanent Fixtures
I.
If the ball in play touches a permanent fixture (other than the net, posts, singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band) after it has hit the ground, the player who struck it wins the point; if before it hits the ground, his/her opponent wins the point. Section 11. A Good Return
I.
It is a good return if: a. The ball touches the net, net posts/singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band, provided that it passes over any of them and hits the ground within the correct court; except as provided in Rule 5-7-d; or b. After the ball in play has hit the ground within the correct court and has spun or been blown back over the net, the player reaches over the net and plays the ball into the correct court, provided that the player does not break Rule 5-7; or c. The ball is returned outside the net posts, either above or below the level of the top of the net, even though it touches the net posts, provided that it hits the ground in the correct court; except as provided in Rule 5-7-d; or d. The ball passes under the net cord between the singles stick and the adjacent net post without touching either net, net cord or net post and hits the ground in the correct court, or e. The player’s racket passes over the net after hitting the ball on the player’s own side of the net and the ball hits the ground in the correct court; or f. The player hits the ball in play, which hits another ball lying in the correct court.
P a g e |5 Rev. 01.18
RULE 6 - DOUBLES PLAY Section 1. Order of Service I.
The pair who will serve in the first game of each set decides which partner will actually be serving that game. The opposing duo decides similarly for the second game. The partner of the player who served the first game serves the third. The partner of the player who served the second serves the fourth, and so on. Then the cycle starts again. If the set ends in the middle of the cycle, the cycle starts a new with the next set. The foursome could establish a new cycle which they would then adhere to for that set. Section 2. Order of Receiving
I.
The pair who will receive service in the first game decides which partner will receive the service for the first point, and that partner will receive first service in every odd game throughout the set. The opposing pair does the same for the second game and continues accordingly. Section 3. Errors in Order
I.
II.
If an error in serving order is made the mistake should be fixed immediately, but the score, including any faults, stands. However, if the players realize an error in receiving order, they should not rectify it until the end of the game. Rule Reminders: a. Partners are not required to play the ball alternately; b. If both partners strike the ball when returning it, loss of point; c. The mere clashing of rackets does not count as a double hit; d. If you strike your partner with the ball during play, loss of point; e. If you strike your partner with the serve it will be a service fault; f. If your partner fails to show up for a doubles match, your team will automatically forfeit the match. You are not allowed to compete against your opponents as an individual. RULE 8 - TOURNAMENT FORMAT
I.
Players will have one week to play their matches before advancing to the next round of the bracket. The bracket will be updated on Fridays for each round. Scores must be submitted via email to [email protected] before or on the date specified on IMLeagues.com. Participants are responsible for contacting their opponent for each match and setting up a game time. Failure to complete the match by the deadline will result in a double forfeit. If one participant attempts to contact their opponent, and is unable, that participant must notify The Intramural Sports program by the deadline in order to advance. Failure to notify The Intramural Sports program will result in a double forfeit.
P a g e |6 Rev. 01.18
