Time, breaks, coaching and officials in a tennis match
TenisRaketi Editör Ekibi · Updated October 2026
Short answer
The 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.
In this guide
This guide covers how a match runs: how much time is allowed, breaks, coaching and which official decides what. The main text is the ITF rules; how the professional events differ is in the boxes and in the ATP, WTA and Grand Slam differences guide.
How long is the warm-up?
The warm-up is up to 5 minutes, unless the event decides otherwise. The toss takes place before the warm-up.
ITF Rule 29 (e); Rule 9.
How many seconds between points?
The ITF principle is that play is continuous from the first serve to the end of the match. The limits:
Break | Maximum |
|---|---|
Between points | 25 seconds |
Change of ends after a game | 90 seconds |
Between sets | 120 seconds |
Change of ends after the first game of a set, and in a tie-break | No rest |
The time runs from the moment a point ends until the first serve of the next point is struck. The receiver must also play to the server's reasonable pace.
ITF Rule 29 (a); Rule 21.
Watching on TV: At ATP and WTA events, going over the time is a "time violation". The first brings a warning; after that the server is given a fault and the receiver a point penalty. At the ATP there is no warning before the 25 seconds run out. Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Sections VII.N and VIII; WTA Rulebook 2026, Section VII.G. (October 2026)
Medical and toilet breaks
- No extra time to recover condition. A tired player is not given time to rest.
- A treatable medical condition may be given one medical time-out of 3 minutes.
- Toilet and change of attire breaks are allowed in limited numbers if the event announced them in advance.
- Clothing, shoes or necessary equipment broken for reasons outside the player's control may get reasonable extra time. The racket is excluded.
- A 10-minute rest period may be allowed, if announced in advance, after the second set of a best-of-three match or the third set of a best-of-five match.
ITF Rule 29 (b)–(d).
Watching on TV: At the ATP a player gets one toilet or change of attire break in a best-of-three match and two in a best-of-five match: up to 3 minutes for the toilet, 5 with a change of attire. At the WTA a singles player gets one break per match; a toilet break is taken at a set break or before the player's own service game, up to 3 minutes. Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Section VII.Q; WTA Rulebook 2026, Section VII.D. (October 2026)
When is coaching allowed?
Under the ITF rules, coaching is advice or instruction of any kind and by any means to a player. The body running an event may permit coaching from off the court. Coaching by a captain sitting on court is allowed only in team events. When it is permitted:
- Coaching may happen between points, at changes of ends and between sets; never during a point.
- Verbal coaching only when coach and player are at the same end; hand signals at any time.
- It must be brief and discreet.
If the event allows it, a player may also look at data from ITF-approved player analysis devices at the times coaching is allowed.
ITF Rule 30; Appendix IV; Rule 31.
Watching on TV: At ATP, WTA and Grand Slam events the coach may coach from the designated coaches' box: a few words when the player is at the same end, hand signals at any time; no conversations. Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Section VIII; WTA Rulebook 2026, Section XVIII.D; Grand Slam Rulebook 2026. (October 2026)
Which official decides what?
- The referee has the final word on questions of tennis law.
- The chair umpire has the final word during the match on questions of fact, meaning what actually happened. A player may appeal the chair umpire's interpretation of the law and call the referee to court; whether a ball was in or out is a fact and cannot be taken to the referee.
- Line umpires make the calls on their lines, foot faults included. The chair umpire may overrule only when sure of a clear mistake, and only straight away; never because a player protests.
- If nobody can make the call, the point is replayed.
- If "Out" is called and then corrected to good, the chair umpire decides whether the first call hindered either player: if it did, the point is replayed; if not, the player who hit the ball wins it.
ITF Appendix VII, Cases 1–7.
Ball mark inspection on clay
Ball marks are checked on clay courts only. A player may ask for an inspection on a point-ending shot or by stopping play; the chair umpire comes down and inspects the mark personally. If the mark cannot be found or read, the original call stands. The chair umpire's ruling on a mark is final. A player who erases the mark before the ruling concedes the call, and crossing the net to check a mark is unsportsmanlike.
ITF Appendix VII, ball mark inspection.
Electronic review (challenges)
Where an electronic line calling system is used, a player may challenge a line call on a point-ending shot or by stopping play. Each player or team has 3 unsuccessful challenges per set, with one more in a tie-break; successful challenges are unlimited. A match tie-break counts as a new set. If the system cannot make a decision, the original call stands.
ITF Appendix VII, electronic review.
Watching on TV: ATP events have no line umpires; a live electronic system calls every line, and that section of the rulebook has no player challenges. The WTA requires a live electronic system at all WTA 1000, 500 and 250 events too. Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, Section VII.B; WTA Rulebook 2026, Section XVIII.C. (October 2026)
If darkness or rain stops the match
The referee may suspend play for darkness, weather or court conditions. A stop for darkness is made at the end of a set or after an even number of games in the set. When play resumes, the score and the players' positions on court stand.
ITF Appendix VII.
Matches without officials
The ITF rules have no section for matches without officials. For club and league matches, follow the rules the event or league announces on who calls the lines and the score; some national federations publish codes in which players call the ball on their own side. Calling the score out loud before each point, server's score first, prevents most arguments.
Frequently asked questions
How many seconds between points in tennis?
Up to 25 seconds. 90 seconds are allowed at a change of ends and 120 seconds between sets.
How long is a medical time-out in tennis?
3 minutes, for a treatable medical condition. No extra time is given for tiredness or condition.
Is coaching allowed in tennis?
If the body running the event permits it, coaching from off the court is allowed; never during a point. At professional events, verbal coaching is allowed when the player is at the same end and hand signals at any time.
Who decides whether a ball was in?
The line umpire, or the chair umpire if there is none. It is a question of fact, and the chair umpire's decision is final; it cannot be taken to the referee.
Are ball marks checked on every court?
No, on clay only. On hard courts and grass the mark is not read.
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