Warmups                                     

Follow ITF and USTA rules for warmups, limited to five minutes unless organizers allow more. Respect the time limit and avoid treating it as practice. Hit the ball back to your opponent, avoid winners, and focus on getting comfortable.

 

Warmup Serves                          

Let the serve be the last stroke to warm up. Catch your opponent’s serves instead of returning them aggressively. This avoids irritating them and maintains good sportsmanship.

 

Line Calls                                    

Most tennis matches lack officials, so players must make their own line calls. Each player calls their side's lines due to the best view. To avoid conflicts, never favor yourself in calls. When unsure, give opponents the benefit of doubt. This relies on mutual trust. Make clear and prompt calls for both sides. If you quickly call a ball wrong, it's okay to correct and apologize. Occasionally, if you have a better view, offer points to opponents.

 

Calling Out the Score                 

In case there is no umpire in the match, players call out the score. Servers announce the set score before each game, and the game score is called before each point. This practice prevents conflicts and demonstrates good etiquette.

 

Verbal and Noise Distractions    

Avoid talking or shouting during points as it’s against the rules and can lead to point forfeiture. Silence aids concentration. In doubles, communicate when the ball comes your way, but stay quiet when it heads back to the opponent. However, if releasing your air while hitting the balls produces noise, it’s understandable, acceptable, and suggested.

 

Also, during a match, silence your cell phone to prevent interruptions. If it rings, your opponent can claim a point due to intentional hindrance. Turn off or set your phone to silent mode before the match.

 

Visual Distractions                      

Avoid distracting movements like arm waving, which can lead to point loss as a hindrance. Players often distract when returning serves, but intent matters. Natural moves are okay, but avoid unnecessary distractions. Some players exploit this before opponent serves, but it's poor etiquette. Unintentional distractions, like a ball on the court, aren't hindrances; players should call a let. Pro umpires spot normal prep from intentional hindrance, rare in pro tennis.

 

Returning Missed Serves           

If your opponent misses serves widely, avoid returning for practice swings. Instead, block the ball to the court's side or back. It's respectful to the server and avoids disrupting their rhythm by making them chase the return.

 

Clearing Balls                             

Both players must clear balls before each point to eliminate distractions. After the first serve, the server should clear their side if a ball lands there. Exceptions include balls caught in the net, but if your opponent asks, respect their request to remove it.

 

Ball Retrieval                              

It's fine to retrieve your ball from a nearby court's back. Avoid doing so during a point. Wait for the point to finish before grabbing it yourself or asking the other player to return it.

 

Net Chords & Mishits                 

Acknowledging lucky shots: Occasionally, a net-clipped shot or a shank with an unexpected spin lands on your opponent's side, making it difficult for them to return. Waving to your opponent is a gesture of recognition for such lucky moments. While luck is inherent in the game, nobody enjoys being beaten by it. Stepping into their shoes, you grasp the frustration, making the wave a courteous non-verbal "I understand, it was luck." It's about sportsmanship, not apologizing. The tradition of waving in these scenarios might be debated, but it's valued.

 

Targeting Opponent                   

In matches, moments arise when both players are at the net and the opponent pops up the ball, tempting you to hit them. While rules allow it, aiming at them is poor etiquette. Close proximity raises injury risks, particularly hitting the head. Ideally, aim at open court or feet, but not at point's expense. Fair play is a fine line; if opponent avoids hit, aim elsewhere. Sometimes, like tough overheads, hitting direction is an afterthought or unintentional. If you accidentally hit or come close to hitting, waving and apologizing is courteous, acknowledging unintentionality.

 

Underarm Serve                         

Although it's legally allowed, it often carries negative connotations and is seen as poor etiquette. People may view it as a lack of effort or an attempt to catch opponents off guard. Similar to excessive drop shots or lobs, the underarm serve's effectiveness diminishes with frequent use, potentially putting the server at a disadvantage. If your opponent employs this tactic, stay composed. Be ready for anything, and remember that standing farther back can give you a better view of the serve. Don't let it rattle you.

 

Celebrating Wins                        

Part of good sportsmanship involves being a humble winner and a graceful loser. If you win, it’s perfectly fine to celebrate, but be thoughtful about the fact that the player on the other side of the net suffered a loss.

There’s a fine line between celebration and gloating.

 

Shaking Hands After a Match     

Always shake hands with your opponent at the end of the match regardless of the match's outcome. Winners should acknowledge a well-fought game, and losers should congratulate the victor. A firm handshake and eye contact show respect. While embracing is common in professional tennis, a simple handshake suffices. Make sure your handshake is sincere.

​