Tennis is an atypical aerobic sport where players are involved in a series of sprint-like points. To allow players to catch a breath, the rules allow for time between points, games and sets. The United States Tennis Association uses the rules set forth by the International Tennis Federation. According to the ITF, 120 seconds is the maximum time between sets.
The Set Ends
The 120 seconds starts when the last point of the set is completed. Players have two minutes to take a seat on a bench or chair, drink water, change rackets and contemplate what to do in the next set. The first serve of the next set must be hit within the 120 seconds.
Medical Timeout Exception
A medical timeout is a break in play because of an injury or illness to a player. A maximum of 15 minutes is allowed for evaluation and on-court treatment. If a player seeks a medical timeout, the umpire or referee must call the qualified medical personnel. Time starts when the medical personnel arrive on court. Three minutes are allowed to evaluate the situation. Players can use a medical timeout at the end of a set, though calling for medical treatment of a condition that was already evaluated and treated on site is not allowed.
Bathroom Breaks
Bathroom breaks are allowed under tournament director authority. Most tournaments allow a bathroom break between sets when a player can use the toilet or change clothes. There is no set time for this, though the chair umpire or referee will use what he calls "reasonable time." The player should not speak to coaches or take advice from anyone while using the restroom. The player must walk, without stopping, to the bathroom, use the facilities or change clothes and return without stopping. The bathroom distance from the court may dramatically affect the time between sets if a bathroom break is requested.
Time Violations
A player not following the time rules can be penalized at the discretion of the umpire or referee. Usually, the time violations need to be a problem, meaning they are recurring and seem to be intentionally holding up play. Under extreme weather conditions, discretion is used. At first, a player will get a warning. A second violation after the warnings results in a point penalty. After that, the player loses a game and then forfeits the match.
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