Serving is the starting point of every game, set and match of tennis. There are a number of rules that must be strictly followed to initiate a point in tennis, three of which specifically the player serving hitting a ball which comes in contact with any part of the net. Each occurrence has its own accompanying rule.
Serving Into the Net
The most common time a serve hits the net is when the server aims too low and the ball strikes the net and stays on the server's side of the court. This is ruled a fault, that is, a warning to the player that committing another service error will result in the loss of a point. If the player commits a second fault--be it by serving the ball into the net or some other rules violation, i.e. a foot fault--his opponent is awarded a point. This is called a double fault. Likewise, if another fault is called on the player's first serve and his second serve hits the net but does not clear it, it is called a double fault and the opponent awarded a point.
Let Serves
The second variation of a net serve occurs when the ball hits the net and continues into the receiver's half of the court, striking the correct service area, the receiver, the receiver's racket or anything the receiver is wearing or carrying. This is known as a let serve. If this occurs on a first serve, the point is replayed. If let serves continue to happen on subsequent first serves, they are replayed until a successful point or a double fault occurs. This rule varies from normal play. If a ball hits the net and continues into the receiver's side of the court, it is a good shot and should be played accordingly.
Permanent Fixtures
Net posts and singles sticks are used to regulate the height of the net and the width of the court when singles or doubles tennis is played on a court. Both are considered permanent fixtures, and a serve which strikes either of them is ruled a fault, regardless of whether the ball continues into the correct court or not. In addition, when singles sticks are used, the area of the net that exists outside each one is also considered a permanent fixture. Any serve that strikes the net outside the singles sticks is viewed as having struck a permanent court fixture and is ruled a fault.
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