Rules & Referees

RULES

Friend at the court is the official handbook of tennis rules and regulations for youth and adults, including The Code of Tennis, and tournament, league, junior, adult, and wheelchair play.

REFS

What is a tennis official? It’s the man or woman in the USTA uniform who keeps the tournament running by the rules, under the fairest possible conditions. The official is “a friend at court,” helpful to players and spectators. Here’s what you absolutely need to know about Referees, Umpires, Officials!

THE CODE

Foundation of Tennis Rules & Behavior

10 & UNDER JUNIORS

Tennis should be a game before it becomes a sport!

Rules for age 10 and under tournaments are unique because the players are young and small. USTA developed guidelines for size of balls, courts, and rackets that work well for smaller sized players. Matches are shorter and tournaments last only a few hours.
Rules, court size, ball size, racket size are downsized for the small age 8 and under players, also. Tournaments are geared to be fun, entertaining, and suitable to their skills and understanding.

JUNIOR PLAYERS

Rules, Customs and Procedures

A concise summary of what to know to become a top junior player.

HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS

Rules, Customs, and Procedures

Coaching, lateness, calling lines, continuous play, tiebreakers, and more, are things players need to know about.