When you play tennis in a tournament, the director or committee may alter rules of the game for a number of reasons, including to address time concerns, add a handicap or address shortcomings of the facility, such as a lack of courts, lights or concerns with neighbors. Rules changes can be as simple as playing a match tie break in lieu of a third set or the institution of a more complicated scoring system. Read all of the literature associated with a tournament before signing up and again before playing a tournament to make sure you aren't surprised by a unique rule at a critical time during your match.
Officiating
Sanctioned tournaments often have umpires and referees. Depending on the number of tournament officials available, you may be able to request one on-court to call lines. In some cases, the official will not correct a bad call unless a player asks. In other cases, the official will make line calls, call foot faults and issue warnings and penalties without a request from a player. You can ask an official to keep time between points and games if you feel an opponent is stalling. Find out before going on the court if you have access to on-court officiating. If you or your opponent request and receive on-court officiating, ask the umpire how she will make calls.
Scoring
If you're playing a non-sanctioned tournament, you may run into a variety of scoring systems put in place to speed up play, make matches more competitive or make the event more fun, if it's a social, club event. One variation in scoring may be the use of no-ad scoring, which requires players to play a sudden-death point at 3-all during any game. Instead of the traditional deuce-ad scoring in which one player must win the game by two, with no-ad scoring, the receiver chooses on which side he will receive the serve for the seventh point, with the winner of that point winning the game.
If the tournament features bisque points, players may be given one or more "free" points to use during certain circumstances. For example, if a player is leading by one point, she may use one of her bisque points to win the game. If both players wish to use a bisque point at the same time, the player who last used a free point must defer to the other player. Not all players in a bisque tournament get points, or the same number, so confirm with your opponent how many points she has before starting play.
Reporting
During a tournament, you may be required to report to the tournament desk before and after your matches within a prescribed time period. If you do not, the tournament director may penalize or default you or your team. If you are a team captain who must submit a lineup card to tournament officials before your match, check to learn the time by which your card must be submitted. For example, if your team match is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., you may be required to submit your card 30 minutes before the start of the match. If you turn your card in late, you might face a penalty, such as every player on your team starting their matches down 0-1. You may be required to exchange a lineup card with the opposing captain, that must be completely filled out, and which may not be changed once the match has started. If you fill out and submit a card assuming, you can change it if a player who is not present at the time of submission does not arrive, you may have to forfeit that match, and all those below it on the card, rather than be allowed to substitute.
Assistance
During some tournaments, such as professional events or Davis Cup or Fed Cup matches, players may receive assistance from a trainer or have access to on-court coaching. In many tournaments, a player may be penalized or defaulted if she receives assistance, including help with keeping score, making calls or interpreting rules.
Member Comments