ITF

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that in tennis, a score of 15-30 means you have to win two consecutive points to win the game, but actually, it's the other way around: players need to win one more point than their opponent to take the lead in a game, which is why we call it "advantage." This confusion stems from the terminology used for scores 15-0 and 30-0, which are just the initial points scored.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that they can stand anywhere behind the baseline as long as their racket is ready for service, which leads to misunderstandings about whether they are actually serving correctly according to Rule 17 in tennis. The confusion arises because the rule specifically states the server must stand between the centre mark and the sideline, not just any spot behind the baseline.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that the ITF's statement about a tennis court being longer than it is wide means the length of the court exceeds its width by exactly 10 meters, but actually, the official dimensions specify the court should be 23.75 meters long and 8.23 meters wide, with these measurements not necessarily implying one dimension is always more than the other in every single instance.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that a player can only use their injury timeout when they're visibly bleeding on the court, which is incorrect. The actual confusion arises because the rule allows for an injury timeout if the player feels incapacitated to continue playing due to pain or injury, regardless of visible signs, as long as it's determined by a medical official present at the venue.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that it's only the server who gets called out first at the end of each point, which leads them to believe the chair umpire can skip calling out the receiver's score if they're already aware of it from watching closely. However, the official rule clearly states the chair umpire must call both scores for transparency and fairness in every scoring situation.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that ensuring court safety is solely the responsibility of players and umpires, forgetting that tournament organizers are explicitly required by ITF regulations to maintain a safe playing environment. This oversight leads to misunderstandings about who's primarily accountable for ensuring courts meet all necessary safety standards before matches begin.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that if a player accidentally interferes with their opponent's shot, it automatically results in a let without penalty. But actually, the rule states that unintentional hindrance by something external to the players (like wind or ball placement) gets a "let," while deliberate interference still leads to immediate loss of point for the offender.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often think they can take a few steps before their racket touches the ball if their foot is behind the baseline - thinking it's just a minor infraction like in other sports. But actually, under ITF rules, as soon as their foot crosses or touches the baseline, regardless of where their racket is, it’s considered a foot fault and results in a loss of serve.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that they have 25 seconds from when their opponent finishes a point before hitting their serve, which can lead to misunderstandings about where the time starts ticking. The confusion arises because this 25-second rule begins counting from the moment the ball is hit by the server, not from when the previous point ends with the receiver's shot.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that in doubles matches, each team is made up of three players instead of two, leading to arguments about how many opponents a player might face at once during a match. The confusion arises because they overlook the clear definition provided by ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, which explicitly states there are only two players per side in doubles.