When a tournament official is present at a tennis event, the rules of the game vary slightly. For example, players in an unofficiated match may not assess point penalties for delay of game or unsportsmanlike conduct, which officials may. Officials can also overrule line calls and make subjective decisions regarding medical issues, stalling and behavior. To become a certified umpire, you'll need to know the basic rules of the game, as well as those rules that apply to umpires.
Time Violations
An umpire may assess a penalty for a player who arrives late or reports to the tournament check-in desk late. The penalty may include loss of warm-up or starting the match down one game. An official may also penalize players for stalling between points or taking too much time between games. While players are allowed 20 seconds between points, the receiver must play to the reasonable pace of the server, which is generally considered to be 10 to 12 seconds from the end of the previous point to the start of the next. Players may not use the time in between points to recover condition or rest.
Penalties
If players violate the rules, an official may award a point, game or match penalty. A player who curses would receive a warning, then a penalty. If the infraction is serious enough, the umpire may go directly to a point penalty. After a player has been warned and repeats an infraction, the umpire may award a game to the opposing player. If the player continues to violate the rule that earned him a point penalty, then a game penalty, the official may award the match to the opponent. In certain instances, such as equipment abuse directed at an opponent, an official may declare an immediate match default. At some events, an official may penalize a player based on the actions of the player's coach or teammates.
Timeouts
Depending on the tournament, players may be allowed unlimited or limited bathroom timeouts, trainer visits and medical timeouts, such as a bleeding timeout or for diabetics who need food or drink during changeovers. The umpire may decide if the timeout requests are warranted or are stalling or cheating.
Rules Questions
Some leagues do not allow assistance from spectators, teammates or coaches. In these situations, an official can assist with rules questions and provide rotation or scoring help.
Calls
In some tournaments with unofficiated matches, players may request an on-court umpire if one is available. The umpire may choose only to intercede when requested, or may automatically overrule a bad call. The umpire will make foot fault calls on both players.
Court Playability
When players cannot agree on the playability of a court, the official will make that determination. An official may also suspend a match due to lightning, rain, darkness or other factors. Also, the official will make the official measurement of the net height.
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