Touching the Net
What happens when a player’s racquet touches the net during the follow-through motion?
David Rowe, First Vice President
The player whose racquet touched the net loses the point. According to USTA Friend at Court, page 11: 24. PLAYER LOSES POINT.
The point is lost if: g. The player or the racquet, 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.
Swing and Miss
If the server tosses the ball and completely misses, is that considered a fault?
Nicole Jennings, Mixed Doubles League Vice President
Yes. If the server swings and misses the ball it will be considered a fault. According to USTA Friend at Court, pages 9-10: 16. THE SERVICE: Immediately before starting the service motion, the server shall stand at rest with both feet behind (i.e., further from the net than) the baseline and within the imaginary extensions of the center mark and the sideline.
The server shall then release the ball by hand in any direction and hit the ball with the racquet before the ball hits the ground. The service motion is completed at the moment that the player’s racquet hits or misses the ball. A player who is able to use only one arm may use the racquet for the release of the ball.
19. SERVICE FAULT: The service is a fault if:
a. The server breaks Rules 16, 17, or 18; or
b. The server misses the ball when trying to hit it; or
c. The ball served touches a permanent fixture, singles stick or net post before it hits the ground; or
d. The ball served touches the server or server’s partner, or anything the server or server’s partner is wearing or carrying.
We Need to Play Lower
What can captains do about level selection when the current team wants to split off into two teams, and the new team does not want to be placed at the current level of the team they are on?
Rusty Jones, Senior Day Leagues Vice President
This is a common issue that captains face. When a team splits, the level goes with the players that are forming the new team. However, we all know that the players who didn’t play, the players that weren’t competitive, players that were injured, players that just weren’t happy with their partner, the amount of playing time, or whatever the reasons were, the team wants to be at a lower level than the team they are leaving. How does a captain accomplish this little leveling feat?
Upon entering the team’s roster during the registration period, the captain must fill out a “Request for Review” (RFR) where he/she will state their case for the lower level. This should be an in-depth request for the players who are forming the new team. Injuries or illnesses could also be an issue — put that in the RFR. Make a good, strong case for the lower level that is requested. The RFR will be reviewed and researched by the league’s leveling committee.
Home Court Fees
Our upcoming away match is at a private club that charges a court fee for non-members. Who is responsible for paying this fee? What about parking fees?
Drew Meyer, Men’s League Vice President
The answer to this question can be found in the ALTA General Rules:
I. Teams and Players, D. Any required court and/or guest fees for visiting participating players must be paid by the home team. (Including Rule IV., J.). The home team does not have to pay parking fees for visiting teams. As a courtesy, the captain at a facility where parking charges are imposed should inform the visiting captain in advance.
