## VII. THE COMPETITION 

may continue in the doubles competition. If the player’s condition has not improved then he must not be allowed to compete in the doubles. 

## S. Miscellaneous Officiating Cases and Decisions 

## Broken String: First Service Fault 

Case: On a first service fault, the receiver breaks a string. 

Decision: In Singles matches If the receiver changes his racquet, then a first serve will be awarded to the server. If the receiver elects not to change racquets, then the server must play a second serve. In Doubles matches if the receiver changed the racquet with his partner the Chair Umpire should award a second serve unless in his opinion the replacement time was such that the server was delayed in his delivery of a serve. 

## Broken String: First Service Let 

Case : The receiver breaks a string on a first service let. 

Decision: The receiver must change racquets. A player is allowed to finish the point with a broken string but may not start a point with a broken string. 

## Broken String: No Racquets 

Case:  The player breaks a string in his last racquet. 

Decision:  The player is not allowed to continue with broken strings. The player is subjected to the penalties set forth in the Point Penalty System for Unreasonable Delay. 

## Receiver Not Ready 

Case: The receiver is not ready but looks up as the second serve is hit, reflexes a return and says, “wait.” 

Decision: Second serve. The server should observe that the receiver is ready. (If the Chair Umpire believes that gamesmanship is involved on the part of the receivers, then he may issue a code violation for Unsportsmanlike Conduct). 

## Ball Hits Net Post Signage 

Case: The ball, while in play, hits the top of the ATP net signage and goes into the proper court. 

Decision:  ATP net signage will be considered permanent fixtures (other than the net, posts, singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band) and will result in the loss of point. 

## Ball hits Overhead Camera Cable 

Case:  A player throws up a lob which is over the court and it hits the cable supporting Spider Cam which is positioned diagonally across the court from the service line to baseline. Is the point awarded to the opponent; is the point replayed; or does play continue? 

Decision:  The cable is considered a permanent fixture and there - fore, it is a loss of point. 

## Invasion: Ball in Play 

Case:  A player’s dampening device flies out of his racquet and touches the net or goes into his opponent’s court. 

Decision: If the ball was still in play, the player loses point. The dampening device shall be considered a part of the racquet. 

## VII. THE COMPETITION 

## Invasion: No Replay 

Case: After the point has been completed, player discovers oppo- nent’s dampening device lying in his court. The player claims a point based on Rules of Tennis, rule “Rule 24”). 

Decision: The point stands as played. Since the Chair Umpire did not see the dampening device land in the opponent’s court, he may not rule that an invasion occurred. Invasion occurs only when the ball is in play. Since the Chair Umpire did not know the timing of the incident, he may not assume that an invasion did occur. 

## Player Hits Net Pipe Support 

Case:  A player touches a “pipe support” with his foot while the ball is in play. 

Decision: In this case the “pipe support” is to be considered as part of the net; thus if a player touches it while the ball is in play, he loses the point. 

## Touching Net or Opponent’s Court 

Case:  If while the ball is in play a player’s foot slides under the net but does not touch the net, should this still be considered a “touch” since the net should have extended fully to the court surface? 

Decision: No. This cannot be considered a “touch” if the player did not actually touch the net. It is likely, however, that an invasion has occurred from the player’s foot touching his opponent’s court. If this did occur, then the Chair Umpire shall call an “invasion” and award the point to the player’s opponent. 

## Ball Touches Net Pipe Support 

Case: The ball falls over the net and hits the “pipe support ”used on indoor courts. 

Decision:  In this case, the “pipe support” is to be considered as part of the court; thus when the ball hit the pipe, it would be ruled as a first bounce. 

## Player Touches Net Outside of Singles Stick 

Case: A player runs for a drop shot and returns it into the oppo- nent’s court and then runs into net between net post and singles stick. What is the ruling? 

Decision: Play continues. This part of the net is considered a per - manent fixture. 

## Ball Rolls Onto Court 

Case: After a first service fault, a ball comes into the court from another court. 

Decision:  If the server has started his motion, then a first serve shall be awarded. In other cases, a second serve shall be played unless in the opinion of the Chair Umpire the delay was unusually long and unfairly disrupted the rhythm of the server. 

## Umpire Unsighted 

Case: A Line Umpire is unsighted and the Chair Umpire cannot make the decision. 

Decision : The point is replayed, except in the case where it was discovered after the point had been completed that during a rally a 

