Tennis players must keep the ball in play by hitting it back and forth over the net. The United States Tennis Association follows all International Tennis Federation rules regarding the net’s height and construction, as well as rules regarding player faults at the net.
Net Height and Structure
ITF rules dictate the standard tennis net must measure 3 feet high at the center of the court and no higher than 3 feet, 6 inches where it attaches to the posts at either side. For doubles play, the net should have posts placed 3 feet outside the doubles sidelines on either side of the court. For singles play with a singles net, the net should have posts placed 3 feet outside the singles sidelines on either side of the court. For singles play with a doubles net, the net should have singles sticks supporting it 3 feet outside the singles sidelines on either side of the court. The tops of the net posts and singles sticks should not reach more than 1 inch above the top of the net. The net posts should measure 6 inches in diameter, and the singles sticks should measure 3 inches in diameter.
Shots Hitting a Permanent Fixture
In singles play, any part of the net outside the singles sticks counts as a permanent fixture, according to ITF rules. If a singles player’s shot hits the top of the net outside the singles stick, that player loses the point because her shot has hit a permanent fixture.
Let During a Serve
According to official ITF rules, if a player’s serve touches the net or part of the net and lands in the service box, the serve counts as a let and the server replays the serve. If the let occurs on the first serve, the server replays the serve as a first serve. If the let occurs on the second serve, the server replays the serve as a second serve. If the serve hits the net and then lands out of the service box, it counts as a fault.
Players Touching the Net
ITF rules dictate that if a player touches any part of the net with her racket, clothing or any other object while the ball is in play, she loses the point. If a player’s hat, headband or racket shock absorber falls off and hits the net, that player loses the point.
Players Reaching Over the Net
A player cannot hit the ball before it passes onto her side of the net. If a player reaches over to hit a ball while it remains on her opponent’s side of the net, she loses the point.
Advertising
ITF rules allow advertising on the net within the 3 feet of space between the net posts and the court. The advertising must not appear in white, yellow or other light colors that might interfere with the players’ vision.
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