AboutEd Hines Expertise The Rules of Tennis primarily, including junior and collegiate application of the rules as well as recreational play. Please: NO questions about practice drills or ways to improve your game.
Experience Over 30 years playing the game, including USTA and ITA Officials' certification in junior, collegiate, and professional tennis.
Organizations USTA; Atlanta Professional Tennis Umpires Association
Awards and Honors ATP Linesman, Chair Official NCAA Regional Div I and Div III, Blue Gray Tournament Chair, SEC Championships, Southern Conf Championships, Atlantic Sun Conference, Several Junior National and Super National Jr. Tournaments, NCAA Womens Championship Finals, ASI and AT&T (qualifier final) Chair.
Expert: Ed Hines Date: 1/5/2008 Subject: calling a let
Question This is a follow-up to my question of 2008/01/03. In checking previous answers on your website, I note that you told "John" (2004/02/22) that "play must stop the instant a let is called". In your answer to me about calling a let, you indicated that, except in college tennis, the let call I described would not be allowed. John's circumstance seemed quite similar to mine. Thanks.
Answer You've done your homework. The point you're missing, Libby, is who's calling the let. In the prior example, the players toward whom the balling is moving are calling the let. They are preparing to hit a ball that's in flight when they are distracted, call a let, and replay the point.
In your case, it is your opponent who is trying to claim a let on a ball already struck. And it's the partner of the ball striker that makes it even worse.
Think about the hindrance situation I told you about: If the ball is moving toward me and I'm hindered by an outside force, I can--most of the time--call a let. But how are YOU going to call a let if you are distracted AFTER you've hit the ball and it's two feet into the net or going over the backstop? What are your grounds for the distraction after the fact?
Let's and hindrance can be very tricky. I'll try again if this is not clear.
Good luck.
