Tennis etiquette
Be positive, be patient, be polite, be a good sport
-
Before commencing a game, introduce yourself to anyone you don’t know and offer a good match to each player on the court.
-
Do return the let ball immediately (under the net) to the server. All balls should be returned this way.
-
Do not return the first fault ball.
-
It is courteous and advisable to remove any fault ball still on the court before the second serve.
-
The result of the serves played is the call of the receiver (in the absence of an umpire) and must be played unless immediately called out
-
In or out calls are first and foremost made by the team or player on the side where the ball lands
-
On the line, just touched the outside of the line, or any doubt of it very close to or touching the line is counted as in serve/court (benefit of the doubt)
-
If a call is seriously in dispute please offer to replay the point with a new serve
-
The server calls out the score immediately before the next serve
-
Disagree with the score? Politely tell the server
-
Any intrusion from off the game court which disrupts/interferes with the safety of the players and or the play or player/s must be called for a “let” asap not after the point has ended
-
Should a let be called due to an expected intrusion from off the court then it is a replay of two serves
-
The tennis net is out of bounds [anyone who touches the net in play, forfeits the point]
-
Do not travel under or over nets
-
Do not interrupt other games/players by walking around their game/court, where possible walk around the outside of the court’s fences
-
Every absentee from an up & coming team game must find a replacement and advise the captain or a team member of the replacements name and contact
-
Please be on time for your game - everyone's time is valuable.
-
Running late? Please advise your captain
-
Social games do not mean - work the weakest player
-
At the end of the match, shake hands with all the players
-
Change of “ends” for tournament play: after 1st game, 3rd game, odd numbers
-
Tie breakers – 6 games each, start with 1 serve from the right; change service for 2 serves, 1st from the left then the right, change of ends at 6 points, 12 & so on first to seven points or win by two points
-
Mangawhai tennis should be fun, fair and flowing
Winners shout! A round.