The match on TV: what is different at the ATP, WTA and Grand Slams
TenisRaketi Editör Ekibi · Updated October 2026
Short answer
The ATP, the WTA and the Grand Slams play by the ITF Rules of Tennis and add their own regulations. The differences you see on TV: an electronic system instead of line judges at the ATP and WTA, penalties for time violations, coaching from the coaches' box, a 10-point final-set tie-break at the Grand Slams and no-ad games in doubles.
In this guide
The rules of the game are the same everywhere: ATP, WTA and Grand Slam events play by the ITF Rules of Tennis. But each adds its own regulations, and most of what you see on TV but not at your club comes from them. Every point in this guide is taken from that body's 2026 rulebook and was checked in October 2026; tour rules can change every year. For the game itself, see the tennis rules guide.
Why are there no line judges?
ATP events have no line umpires: a live electronic system approved by the ATP calls every line. Foot faults are called by an official watching cameras, or by the chair umpire. If the system fails for more than 15 minutes, the ATP supervisor decides how play goes on.
If the system fails to make a call, the chair umpire decides; if the chair umpire cannot, the point is replayed. That section of the ATP rulebook has no player challenges; on point-ending shots that are out by 7.5 cm or less, a replay is shown on the video board automatically.
At the WTA, a live electronic system is required at all WTA 1000, 500 and 250 events, whatever the surface. The Grand Slam rulebook still contains rules for line umpires.
The ITF challenge rules are in the match guide.
Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Section VII.B; WTA Rulebook 2026, Section XVIII.C.
The shot clock and time violations
The time between points is 25 seconds under the ITF rules too; what differs at the pro level is how it is timed and punished. At the ATP the chair umpire starts the clock as soon as the ball goes out of play and gives no warning before the 25 seconds are up.
A player who runs over gets a time violation warning the first time. After that:
- The server is given a fault.
- The receiver is given a point penalty.
If the receiver delays the server's reasonable pace, a violation can be given before the 25 seconds are up.
Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Sections VII.N and VIII; WTA Rulebook 2026, Section VII.G.
Coaching
The ITF leaves coaching to each event. The ATP, the WTA and the Grand Slams allow it, on the same terms:
- The coach sits in the event's designated coaches' box.
- Verbal coaching only when the player is at the same end; a few words or short phrases, no conversations.
- Hand signals are allowed at any time.
- Coaching must not interrupt play or hinder the opponent.
- A player may talk to the coach, staying on court, during the opponent's medical time-out or toilet break.
Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Section VIII; WTA Rulebook 2026, Section XVIII.D; Grand Slam Rulebook 2026.
Number of sets and the final-set tie-break
| Singles | Doubles |
|---|---|---|
ATP | Best of three, all tie-break sets | Two tie-break sets, no-ad games, 10-point match tie-break at one set all |
WTA | Best of three, all tie-break sets | Two tie-break sets, no-ad games, 10-point match tie-break at one set all |
Grand Slam | Men best of five, others best of three; 10-point tie-break at 6-6 in the final set | Up to each event |
At clubs, ad games and 7-point tie-breaks are more common; the detail is in the scoring guide.
Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Section I.B; WTA Rulebook 2026, "Scoring System"; Grand Slam Rulebook 2026, Section L.
Toilet and change of attire breaks
The ITF leaves the number to the event. At the professional level:
| Allowed | Time |
|---|---|---|
ATP | 1 in a best-of-three match, 2 in best of five; 1 per team in doubles | Toilet 3 min, with a change of attire 5 min |
WTA | 1 per match in singles, 2 per team in doubles | Toilet 3 min (at a set break or before own service game), attire 5 min (at a set break) |
The time runs from when the player enters the toilet or changing area. Running over brings a time violation.
Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Section VII.Q; WTA Rulebook 2026, Section VII.D.
The heat rule
The ATP applies a heat policy in 2026 that measures heat stress with the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT):
- WBGT 30.1 °C or more: in a best-of-three singles match, either player may ask for a 10-minute cooling break between the second and third sets. Showers, a change of clothes and coaching are allowed during it.
- WBGT 32.2 °C or more for 15 minutes: play on all outdoor courts is suspended.
At the WTA, when the heat rule is in force there is a 10-minute break between the second and third sets of a singles match.
Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Section VII.O; WTA Rulebook 2026, Section VII.G.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there no line judges at ATP matches?
The ATP rulebook requires a live electronic line calling system at all ATP events; the system calls the lines and there are no line umpires. Close calls are replayed on the video board.
Can professional players talk to their coaches?
At ATP, WTA and Grand Slam events a coach may give a few words of verbal coaching when the player is at the same end, and hand signals at any time. Conversations are not allowed.
How does the final set end at a Grand Slam?
At 6-6 in the final set a 10-point tie-break is played; the first to 10 with a lead of two wins the match.
What is the penalty for a time violation?
At the ATP and WTA the first violation brings a warning. After that, the server is given a fault and the receiver a point penalty.
More guides on this topic
- Tennis rules: the basics for beginnersPoints in tennis go 15, 30, 40; you win a game with four points and a two-point lead, and a set with six games and a two-game lead, with a tie-break at 6-6. You serve from behind the baseline into the diagonal box and you get two serves. A ball that touches the line is in.
- Whose point? The most confused tennis rulesA ball that touches the line is in. You lose the point if you catch a ball going out, if the serve hits you before it bounces or if you volley the serve. Your racket may cross the net but not touch it. A ball that goes around the net post is good.
- How tennis scoring works: 15-30-40, advantage, sets and tie-breaksPoints in a game go 0, 15, 30, 40 and the fourth point wins it; after 40-40 you need two points in a row. The first to six games with a lead of two wins the set, with a tie-break at 6-6. In a tie-break the first to seven with a lead of two wins, and the serve changes every two points after the first.
- Tennis serve rules: sides, two serves, lets and foot faultsEvery game starts with a serve from the right half, from behind the baseline into the diagonal box; you switch halves after each point. You get two serves, and two faults make a double fault. A let does not cancel an earlier fault. Tossing and not hitting is not a fault; swinging and missing is.
- Tennis court dimensions and lines: singles, doubles and the service boxA tennis court is 23.77 m long; 8.23 m wide for singles and 10.97 m for doubles. The service line is 6.40 m from the net, and the net is 0.914 m high in the centre and 1.07 m at the posts. In singles the 1.37 m alley along each side is out.
- Tennis ball types: the ITF ball types and court paceThe ITF approves three ball types: Type 1, a fast ball for slow courts; Type 2, a medium ball for most courts; and Type 3, a bigger, slower ball for fast courts. All weigh 56–59.4 g; Type 3 is 7.00–7.30 cm across, the others 6.54–6.86 cm. Juniors have red, orange and green balls.
- Racket and string rules: what does the ITF allow?A racket may be up to 73.7 cm (29 in) long and 31.7 cm wide, with a string bed up to 39.4 × 29.2 cm. A vibration dampener may only sit outside the crossed strings. If a string breaks you may keep playing with that racket unless the event forbids it; one racket at a time, and no batteries.
- Doubles tennis rules: serving order, receiving and positionsIn doubles each team decides at the start of a set who serves first; the serve then rotates between teams and between partners. On the receiving team the players take turns, point by point. The alley is in during rallies and out on the serve. Players may stand anywhere on their side; both partners may not hit the ball.
- Time, breaks, coaching and officials in a tennis matchThe warm-up is up to 5 minutes. Up to 25 seconds are allowed between points, 90 seconds at a change of ends and 120 seconds between sets. There is no extra time to recover condition; a 3-minute medical time-out may be allowed for a treatable condition. Coaching is never allowed during a point. The chair umpire decides questions of fact, the referee questions of law.