## VII. THE COMPETITION 

## I. Correction/ Verification of Call 

Line umpires.  When a Line Umpire realizes that he/she has made an erroneous call, including an inadvertent sound, he/she should immediately call “Correction” so that the Chair Umpire and the players are aware of the error. The Line Umpire should then make the corrected call. 

## J. Ball Mark Inspection Procedures (Clay Courts) 

## 1) Chair Umpire 

a) A ball mark inspection requested by a player (team) shall be allowed only if the Chair Umpire cannot determine the call with surety on either a point-end - ing shot or when a player (team) stops playing the point during the rally (Re turns are permitted but then the player must immediately stop). The Chair Umpire shall check ball marks if there is some doubt about the accuracy of the call. 

b) If the Chair Umpire sees a clear mistake, he may stop play with an overrule. 

c) The original call or overrule shall always stand if the Line Umpire and/or Chair Umpire cannot determine the location of the mark or if the mark is unread - able. 

d) Once the Chair Umpire has identified and ruled on a ball mark, this decision is final and not appealable. 

e) In clay court tennis, the Chair Umpire should not be too quick to announce the score unless absolutely certain of the call. If in doubt, the Chair Umpire should wait before calling the score to determine whether a ball mark in - spection is necessary. Ball mark inspections made after the score has been announced or after first serves shall be done as quickly as possible so the server is not unreasonably delayed. 

f) In doubles, the appealing player must make his appeal in such a way that either both players stop playing the point or the Chair Umpire stops play. If an appeal is made to the Chair Umpire, then the Chair Umpire must first determine that the correct procedure was followed. If it is not proper or if it is late, then the Chair Umpire may determine that the opposing team was deliberately hindered. 

g) Players may not cross the net to check a ball mark without being subject to the Code. A player may not erase marks unless he is conceding the call or after a ball mark inspection occurs and the Chair Umpire has made a final decision. 

## 2) Line Umpires 

a) If a Line Umpire has to make a close call, he must keep his eyes on the mark and should not look at the Chair Umpire. 

b) If requested by the Chair Umpire, the Line Umpire shall walk directly to the mark and identify the mark to the Chair Umpire. The Chair Umpire shall then inspect the mark and make the determination. 

c) If directed by the Chair Umpire to identify a mark and the Line Umpire is not sure of the mark, the Line Umpire must state immediately to the Chair Um - pire, “I do not have the mark.” 

## K.Clay Court Cases 

## Can’t Find Ball Mark 

Case:  A Line Umpire calls a ball out on a clay court. The Chair Umpire asks him to show the mark. The Line Umpire cannot locate 

## VII. THE COMPETITION 

the mark and neither can the Chair Umpire. 

Decision:  The original (out) call must stand. 

## Clay Court: Doubles Ball Mark Appeal 

Case:  Player B returns a serve but his partner, player A, says, “wait” as he moves to look at the mark. The Chair Umpire stops play. The opponent, player C, appeals to the Supervisor, saying player B returned the serve, which player C put away. 

Decision: The procedure was correct (The Chair Umpire stopped play after an interruption by player A.) The mark is examined and if it is good, Team A-B loses the point; otherwise, it is a second serve. 

## Must Both Players on a Team Stop to Get Ball Mark Inspection. 

Case: In doubles on a clay court, the second serve is called good. The receiver returns the ball but hesitates in search of the mark. His partner crosses (poaches) and hits the ball into the net. The receiver then appeals the second serve, stating that he stopped play prior to his reflex return. 

Decision:  The point stands as played. Both players must stop playing or the player appealing must do so in a manner that results in the Chair Umpire stopping play. 

## Overrule Then Inspect Ball Mark 

Case: As a Chair Umpire, you overrule a ball on a clay court. The player disagrees and asks for a ball mark inspection. You think that maybe you made a mistake on the overrule. 

Decision:  The Chair Umpire should check the mark. 

## L. Electronic Review / Electronic Review - Line Calling (Review ELC) 

## A. Electronic Review (Review ELC) 

The use of an approved electronic system for reviewing line calls and/or overrules is authorized for use at ATP events. The protocol for Review ELC is as follows: 

1)  A request for an electronic review of a line call by a player (team) shall be allowed only on either a point-ending shot or when a player (team) stops playing the point during a rally (returns are permitted but then the player must immediately stop). 

2) In doubles the appealing player must make his appeal in such a way that either play stops or the Chair Umpire stops play. If an appeal is made to the Chair Umpire the Chair Umpire must first determine that the correct appeal procedure was followed. If it was not correct or if it was late, then the Chair Umpire may determine that the opposing team was deliberately hindered, in which case the appealing team loses the point. 

3) Each player/team shall receive three (3) challenges per set (excluding the tie- break game). If the player/team is incorrect with a challenge, then one of the challenges is lost. If the player (team) is correct with a challenge, then the player retains his same number of challenges. Challenges remaining, if any, at the end of a set do not carry over to the next set. 

4) During the tie-break game in any set, each player/team shall receive one (1) ad - ditional challenge. This is in addition to any challenges not lost, if any, during the set. 

