OUT … NO, GOOD … NOW WHAT?
A server serves their first serve. The receiver calls it out and then immediately calls it in and returns the ball. How should this situation be handled?
Jane Milton, Thursday Women’s League Vice President
According to The Code in the USTA’s Friend at Court:
No. 12. Out calls reversed.A player who calls a ball out shall reverse the call if the player becomes uncertain or realizes that the ball was good. The point goes to the opponent and is not replayed. However, when a receiver reverses a fault call on a serve that hit the net, the server is entitled to two serves.
No. 14. Partners’ disagreement on calls. If one partner calls the ball out and the other partner sees the ball good, the ball is good.
So, in this situation as soon as the receiver reversed their call, the point is over. The point goes to the server.
HARD-COURT BALLS OK ON SOFT COURTS?
A team is playing on soft/clay courts and opens hard-court balls. The visiting team says you have to play with soft-court balls. Is that required?
Sandy Depa, Senior Day Leagues Vice President
ALTA rules do not address this issue; however, Friend at Court uses the term “intended,” not “must.” Three different types of balls are approved for play under the Rules of Tennis.
- Ball Type 1 (fast speed) is intended for play on slow-pace court surfaces.
- Ball Type 2 (medium speed) is intended for play on medium-slow-, medium- and medium-fast-pace court surfaces.
- Ball Type 3 (slow speed) is intended for play on fast-pace court surfaces.
ONE TEAM PER PLAYER
My 9-year-old son plays on a 10U Junior ALTA team. His brother plays on a 12U team and they need players. Can my younger son play on both teams?
Celia Sheridan, Junior Leagues Vice President
Junior League Rule I.C states: A player may play on only one team and in only one league per season. Further, a player can participate in only one match per dual meet. Based on this rule, your younger son may not play on another team during the same season. You may suggest to the 12U manager that he/she check the ALTA website, www.altatennis.org, under Players & Facilities > Players & Teams > Players Looking for Teams to see if there might be players looking for a team in their area. The manager also can put his/her team in the same area as a Team Looking for Players.
HOSPITALITY IS NOT DECREED
I play on a C6 Sunday team, and I’m curious what the guidelines are for food at ALTA matches. Is this just a practice that some teams follow and others do not? Or is it part of the ALTA guidelines? We played a match early and were told lunch would be provided. I had originally thought this might not be the case, but the other team captain confirmed their club would provide lunch. I expected the fare normally served at a Sunday afternoon match, but there were only bananas and granola bars. No water, no Gatorade. After playing three sets, I was glad I brought my own water and was only able to stay a short time to watch my teammates because I was starving. Common courtesy aside, is food something that is required to be provided or just a social practice that has evolved?
Didi Chapdelaine, Media Vice President
This question comes up a lot. ALTA has no rule or guideline regarding food and refreshments served at matches. Thanks to a heavy dose of Southern hospitality, it has become a custom over the years for the home team to provide refreshments at each dual meet. Of course, that is left up to interpretation, as you experienced. It is a smart practice to always bring your own water and perhaps a banana or energy bar, just in case. In defense of your host team, there could have been a mix-up due to the fact you were playing the match early. If they have it catered, it may not have gotten on the schedule.
