Embarrassing yourself on a tennis court is the last thing that you would want to do. If you’re a new player, learning techniques to improve your game is not enough. You need to know proper tennis etiquette and game rules if you want to avoid the risk of doing something wrong or embarrassing.
Not knowing proper etiquette might irritate viewers who otherwise enjoy the game. Or, you might even risk getting penalized by the chair umpire. The good news is, it takes only a short time to learn proper tennis etiquette. Here are a few suggestions worth noting.
Calling the Scores
Whether you play tennis or you’re someone who prefers to watch the game, you might have noticed that every skilled player will always call the score before serving the ball. This is one of the most basic and common tennis etiquettes that new players need to remember. There’s nothing to learn. Players just need to make a habit of it.
If you are the person who is serving, always call the current score count before you proceed to throw the serve. Are you asking why you need to do this? The reason is simple. It signals the opponent that you are set and ready to serve. Another reason for this is to continuously keep track of the score to prevent any sort of score disputes later in the match. Never forget to call the score, even though it’s a friendly match.
Rolling the balls
If you ever find yourself in a place where there are multiple courts, it is only natural that tennis balls will come into your court from someone else’s. So, what do you do when this happens? Would you simply roll it behind their courts? No! That is absolutely risky and potentially dangerous. Players may trip and fall if you roll their balls behind their courts, especially if they are still playing.
What you will want to do is, wait for the players to finish their point. Once they are done, you can either head on over and personally hand the ball, or you can even roll it to the area between your courts. Rolling the ball behind might also be distracting for the player who will see the ball moving, causing the match to start over again.
Warming Up
Before tennis matches start, about five minutes is given to the players to warm up. We all know that in any type of sport, warming up is very important. So, during this warm-up period hit some balls with your opponent. But remember, the game has not started yet. So, don’t play like you would play a match. Play in a way that allows your body to stretch and warm up.
Warming up isn’t a practice session. You and your opponent must both be fair and help each other warm up. Make sure to help your opponent stretch and get ready for the actual match. This is one of the most practical and sensible tennis etiquettes which every player needs to be aware of.
No Arguments During Matches
So, we have all experienced it. We’re playing a really interesting game, and something happens that requires clarification. Disputes are bound to happen in sports, but how you handle them speaks volumes. When it comes to tennis, the general rule is one question per point. This means you can only ask for clarification once, no matter what answer you get.
Maybe you noticed your opponent make a foul or your opponent challenged your deserving point. In such cases, you can ask the chair umpire for clarifications just once. It is impolite and out of order to keep challenging a call made by the umpire. In short, do not get argumentative and blow things out of proportion.
Changing Ends
In every odd game, players will have to change ends. Never forget this basic etiquette. Whether you’re playing singles or doubles matches, you will always need to switch courts. Whether you want to or not, the rules state it, and so, you must follow it without any questions asked.
Many new players are clueless about switching ends. Here’s a tip to make it easier. After the 1st, 3rd, 5th games, and so on, remember to switch sides. Moreover, if the ball is on your court and you’re switching ends, remember to always pick it up. Do not make the other player or team pick it up. This is just common and polite tennis etiquette that every player should follow.
Spectator Crossing the Court
Tennis etiquette is not only for players. Spectators also have to remember that there is a certain etiquette that they need to follow and remember. When it comes to spectators, one of the basic etiquette to keep in mind is never to cross the court during point. This will interrupt the game, and the players will need to start their point all over again.
If spectators want to cross the court, they need to wait for the point to end. This is common knowledge. The risk of getting hit by the flying tennis ball is also another reason why spectators should never cross a court when players are still volleying the tennis ball.
Serving and Returning balls
Professionals are fully aware of this particular etiquette, but many amateurs are still clueless. You should always take responsibility for the balls that are on your side of the court. If you are the one who is on the receiving end, always make sure that you return the ball to the one who is serving. Never wait for the server to come and retrieve it.
If a tennis ball accidentally lands in some else’s court, you do not just rush to go take it. There’s a proper way of retrieving it. You need to wait for an appropriate time. This means you need to make sure the other players are not playing. Once you see that they finished their point, go over and get it back.
Reserve Foul Comments
Tennis is a well-respected sport. It can be quite challenging both physically and mentally. By the end of the game, players get tired and start to experience fatigue. No one can expect players to not let off some steam, but there are proper ways to do this. You cannot cuss or curse at the ball, the racquet, your opponent, or even the umpire.
Keep shouting and screaming to a minimum. Once or twice can be forgiven and forgotten, but if you do it continuously, it puts off the whole game. Spectators do not enjoy it, and the game becomes very tense.
Off-Court Etiquette
So, are you planning on playing a match with someone you know? If that is the case, you will surely want to bring and invite friends and family to watch the match. But wait, you can’t simply invite anyone you want. If it is a match you and a player set up together, the other player also has every right to challenge or accept the guests you invite. Always make sure to ask if it is okay to bring people to spectate.
Spectators who are friends or family should never get involved with the scoring and line calling. This is simply an unacceptable behavior in tennis. Line calling should always be done by the players and the umpires. No outside person should interfere. They can simply show love and support properly and respectably.
Booking, Canceling, and Waiting for Courts
Basic tennis behavior and etiquette also apply to the process of selecting, booking, and confirming courts. Different courts offer different booking and canceling arrangements. If you need to cancel a court, it is solely your responsibility. If you need to pay fees, that should also be on you and no one else.
You should also wait patiently for courts to free up. Do not rush other players by asking them when they will finish. Another thing to remember is to not queue jump or even let someone else hold the place for you. All you have to do is wait outside the courts for the ongoing matches to end. Likewise, you should also not try and hold a court for another player. That is their responsibility.
Be Considerate
If you are waiting for a court to play, but the queue is quite long, you will need to show some consideration. Although this is not mandatory, it is a commendable thing to do. If you notice the courts are packed with people waiting, keep your warm-up routines to a minimum. You can even warm up outside the court while you wait to save some time later.
Being considerate also applies to following and observing local rules and customs. Tennis has many rules and guidelines. Some rules are common, while others are specific to certain places. Whenever you are playing somewhere else, always make sure you are versed with the local rules and customs.
Conclusion
Whatever sport it is, showing basic etiquette and proper behavior is always advisable. When it comes to tennis, the basic etiquette we mentioned will keep you away from any type of embarrassment.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or a rookie who is starting out, always keep in mind that being polite, respectable, and considerate are important when it comes to tennis. By following our suggestions, you will surely impress the different players you encounter in your journey.
