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: 4/12/2008 Subject: Playing tennis in 30 mph winds
Question Are there any rules or precedence for postponing play due to high winds? I play in a competitive doubles tennis league in Nashville, TN and was recently "forced" to play (or forfeit) in 20-30 mph winds. Our league has rules for rain and cold weather, but nothing regarding high winds. This seems odd to me and I'm trying to research rules that could help me persuade the coordinator's to add a provision for high winds. Thanks for your help.
Answer Missy,
ITA has rules that govern this and occasionally a college match will have to move indoors or be rescheduled, but no so with most league tennis. I play here in Atlanta and had an ALTA (local tennis league) match years ago where the wind was so strong it blew chairs onto the court during the match. Too bad, we had to finish or else.
USTA is likewise: wind is not a consideration (nor is cold, I might add). Keep in mind local league rules can supersede USTA rules, but most don't, as is in your case apparently.
So, looks like you're stuck. But maybe it's a good thing. Could you imagine enforcing something like this with variable wind speeds all over town? Would captains have to have their own personal anemometers with them for matches?
Good luck in your campaign but I think you're fighting a losing battle.
