Tennis Etiquette..........
Besides the rules of tennis there are also some important unwritten laws which come under the title of tennis etiquette. Tennis is a social game, a game involving simple politeness and consideration. Everyone will enjoy the game so much more if those standards are maintained. Here are some of the rules which are most important:
☼ Talk quietly when standing near tennis courts that are in use.
☼ Never walk behind a court when a point is still in play. Wait until the point is over and then cross as fast as possible. Under no circumstances should anyone disturb play on another court while a point is in play on that court.
☼ When you are ready to play, put racket covers, ball cans, jackets etc., out of everyone's way. To see who serves first, spin your racket or toss a coin. If you win the toss, the choice is yours. You may serve first, or you may choose to receive first or to pick which end of the court you want to start playing on. As a third choice you may make your opponent choose first.
☼ When sending balls back to a neighbouring court, roll them on to the back of the court. Never send them back while play is in progress.
☼ Retrieve balls for your partner and your opponent. Never retrieve a ball from a neighbouring court when play is in progress on that court—wait for a break in play and ask for the ball to be returned to you.
☼ Call your own lines and let your opponent hear the call. If the ball is good say nothing and play on. Always respect the line calls of your opponent.
☼ Balls should be kept in the hand, in a pocket, held by your partner, on a ball clip or next to the fence. The server should also have 2 balls each time they are to take a first serve.
☼ If there is a disagreement, offer a let. In other words, replay the point, even if it was a second service.
☼ Players on court should not monopolise a court, let others play. As a general rule of thumb if people are waiting for a court you should stay a maximum of 1hr for singles play and 90 minutes for doubles play. Please note that Midland League matches and Tournament matches will take precedence on all court allocations.
In tournaments if you are unavailable to play at the scheduled time contact your opponents and partner (if any) in good time and arrange an alternative time to play.