Lawn Tennis

General Rules

The Lawn Tennis event, including all games, will adhere to both international and New Zealand regulations. For more information, please refer to the website below:

ITF Rules and Regulations

Note: Local modifications to these rules will be updated once the total number of participants is determined.

Tennis Etiquette and Rules for Non-umpired matches

1. Before a match, players have five minutes or so to warm up.
2. Choosing the first server -A coin toss or racket toss is usually conducted to determine which player in a singles or doubles team goes first. The winner of the coin toss can serve first or allow the opponent to go first. If the winner declines the serve, he or she can choose which side of the court to play on first. The server is switched after each game, and players switch ends on odd games i.e. after 1,3,5 or 7
3. All matches will be played from 1-8 games.
4. In a case of a 7 all, tiebreaker applies.
5. One deuce only then Sudden Death apply. Receiver’s choice.
6. Observed Foot fault -Honesty is the best policy.
7. You are not allowed to reach over the net to hit the ball in tennis. Your racquet may cross over the net as long as you make contact with the ball on your side of the net, though. You or your racquet cannot touch the net at all, or you lose the point.
8. Question Only Once If you think (or even know) your opponent has made a bad call, you can ask once (per point) for clarification and that’s it. No matter how flagrant a bad call, you can’t argue. If there’s an official, you can ask for a referee to make calls, but it’s impolite to keep challenging the same call and, you might be wrong! take 2 serves automatically. Honesty is the best policy.
9. In a case of injuries, 5 minutes break will be given. If players won’t be able to continue the game. The opponent declares a winner.
10. In a case of rain during a game. 30 minutes break will be given. The game will be resumed when the rain stop and the court is playable.
11. Inappropriate body language and foul mouthing will not be considered.
12. Spectators never make calls. A player shall not enlist the aid of a spectator in making a call. No spectator has a part in a match.
13. When the ball is in play, another ball rolls onto the court. A let is called. The server had previously served a fault. Is the server now entitled to a first service or second service?
    
    Decision: First service. The whole point must be replayed.

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Sportsmanship

1. Players are expected at all times to shake hands with their opponent(s) at the completion of a match.
2. Do not enlist the aid of spectators, including parents, coaches in making line calls, or attempting to determine the score or other on-court matters.
3. Conduct yourself in the court in a sportsman-like manner.
4. Show respect for your opponent.
5. Refrain from shouting or cursing (players on adjacent courts will also appreciate it)
6. Call the ball fairly – if in doubt, play the point again.
7. Call the score clearly before each point.
8. Between points, return any ball on your side of the net to the server in an efficient manner.