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About Ed 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; former member 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.

You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Sports/Recreation for Kids > Tennis Instruction > reversed service call

Tennis Instruction - reversed service call

Expert: Ed Hines - 11/3/2009

Question
In a doubles match I was receiving serve and called the serve "out" right before it hit the ground...as it hit the ground i realized the serve hit the line and immediately returned the serve and called in "in". My return was a lob ball and it gave my opponent enough time to ask me "it was in?" which I replied "yes" before she returned the ball....there were several volleys after that and we ultimately won the point....however, I felt bad for the reversed call and wondered how this should have been handled. Should I have immediately given her the point because of my error? Thank you for your help!

Answer
You should have replayed the point immediately, but only because you returned the shot, a bad/corrected call back into play. If you had reversed your call as you did and missed the return, then it was rightfully your opponent's point. But since you made the return (Put it in play), then you replay the point, first serve.

Because none of that was done and your opponent (and you) continued to play the point without stopping immediately, the point stands as is. As you said, you ultimately won the point. Remember, all points played in good faith stand—even if there's some rule error in between.

If this isn't clear, email back.

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