Whose point? The most confused tennis rules

The situations that cause the most arguments on court, and what the ITF rules say. Each section opens with the decision; the explanation and what to do on court follow. The basics of winning and losing points are in the tennis rules guide.

Is a ball that touches the line in?

It is in. A line is part of the court it bounds: a ball that just touches the line counts as touching that court. Half or most of the ball does not need to be on the line.

All measurements are taken to the outside of the lines, so the whole line belongs to the court. Which lines count in which match is in the court guide.

On court: On clay, look at the ball mark before you call it. The ITF ball mark inspection applies to clay courts only; on hard courts and grass the mark is not read.

ITF Rule 12; Appendix VII, ball mark inspection.

Watching on TV: Since 2025, line calls at ATP events are made by a live electronic system instead of line judges; WTA 1000, 500 and 250 events must use it too. At events without the system, on clay the chair umpire comes down and checks the mark. (October 2026)

Whose point if you catch a ball going out?

Your opponent's. If the ball in play touches you or anything you wear or carry, other than your racket, you lose the point. It does not matter that the ball was going out, or that you were standing outside the court.

The ITF gives this exact case: a player standing outside the court who hits or catches the ball before it bounces, claiming it was going out, loses the point. If they hit it back as a good return, play goes on.

On court: If the ball is going out, leave it and let it bounce.

ITF Rule 24 (i), Case 8.

Whose point if the serve hits you before it bounces?

The server's. If the serve hits the receiver, or in doubles the receiver's partner, before it bounces, the server wins the point. It does not matter that the serve was going out; the point is decided when the ball hits you.

The one exception is a let: if the serve touches the net first and then hits you, it is a let and the serve is replayed. The let rules are in the serve guide.

On court: Get out of the way of a serve coming at your body and let it bounce.

ITF Rule 24 (i), Case 7; Rule 22 (a).

Can you volley the serve?

No, you lose the point. The serve must land in the service box before the receiver returns it. A receiver who hits the serve before it bounces loses the point, however slow or short the serve is.

Whether a serve is good depends on where it lands. Hit it in the air and nobody can know, so the rule puts it on you.

On court: However slow the serve, wait for it to bounce, then hit it.

ITF Rule 17; Rule 24 (e).

What if your racket crosses or touches the net?

It may cross, it may not touch. If you hit the ball on your side, your racket may follow through over the net; the shot is good. But if you, your racket (in your hand or not) or anything you wear touches the net, the net posts or your opponent's court while the ball is in play, you lose the point.

The order matters: hit the ball on your opponent's side, before it has crossed the net, and you lose the point. The net rule applies while the ball is in play; if a serve is already a fault and out of play when your racket touches the net, it is just a fault.

On court: Stay clear of the net as you finish the shot.

ITF Rule 24 (g) and (h), Cases 1–3; Rule 25 (e).

Is a ball that goes around the net post good?

It is good. If the ball passes outside the net posts, above or even below the height of the net, and lands in the correct court, the shot is good. It is good even if it touches the post.

You usually see this after a very wide ball, with the player far outside the court. The ball does not have to go over the net.

On court: If your opponent pulls this off, do not argue; the point is theirs.

ITF Rule 25 (c).

Is a ball that clips the net and lands in good?

In a rally yes, on a serve it is a let. During a rally a ball that touches the net, the band or a post and lands in the correct court is good, and play goes on. On a serve, a ball that touches the net and lands in the right box is a let, and that serve is replayed.

ITF Rule 25 (a); Rule 22 (a).

What happens if you hit the ball twice?

If you meant it, you lose the point. Deliberately carrying or catching the ball on the racket, or deliberately touching it twice, loses the point. An unintentional double hit during a single stroke is not a hindrance and play goes on.

ITF Rule 24 (f); Rule 26, Case 1.

Can you reach over the net for a ball that bounces back?

Yes. If the ball lands on your opponent's side and spins or is blown back over the net, you may reach over the net and play it into the correct court. You must not touch the net or your opponent's court.

ITF Rule 25 (b).

Is the point replayed if a ball or a bird gets in the way?

If something outside your control hinders you, yes. If another ball rolls onto court during a point, or the ball in play hits a bird flying over, a let is called and the whole point is replayed. An earlier fault is wiped out; the point starts with a first serve. If your opponent hinders you on purpose, you win the point.

A ball that was already lying on your side when the point started is not a let: clearing it before the point was up to you.

ITF Rule 26, Cases 3–4; Rule 23, Case 1.

What if you throw your racket at the ball?

You lose the point. Even if the ball lands in your opponent's court, the point is theirs: the ball touched your racket when you were not holding it.

ITF Rule 24 (j), Case 6.