Rules

Match Rules


5 pt TIEBREAKER RULES

First team to reach 5 points wins the tiebreaker.

  • Team A: Serves first two points
  • Team B: Serves next two points
  • Then Team A: Serves twice again
  • If necessary, Team B: Serves the final 3 times

Singles

Stop when 5 minutes remain in the match. Whoever is ahead by 2 or more games
automatically wins the match. Otherwise, players must play a 5 pt TIEBREAKER to determine
the winner.

At the 1 hour mark you MUST stop play:

  • Player ahead by one point wins the match.
  • If tied -- next point wins the match.

Doubles

Stop when 10 minutes remain in the match. If both teams have won one set each the team
who is ahead by 2 games or more in the third set automatically wins the match.

If Team A won the first set and the 2nd set is unfinished, both teams must play a 5 pt TIEBREAKER to determine winner of 2nd set. If teams are now tied one set each: another 5 pt TIEBREAKER must be played to determine the overall winner of the match.

At the 1 ½ hour mark teams MUST stop play:

  • Team ahead by one point wins the match.
  • If tied -- next point wins match.

usta

The Rules of Tennis

The following Rules of Tennis and Cases and Decisions are the official rules of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), of which the United States Tennis Association (USTA) is a member. USTA Comments have the same weight and force in USTA tournaments as do ITF Cases and Decisions. When a match is played without officials, The Code shall apply in any situation not covered by the Rules of Tennis. Except where otherwise stated, every reference in the Rules of Tennis to the masculine includes the feminine gender.

The Code

Friend at Court: The USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the governing body of the game of tennis and its duties and responsibilities include determination of the Rules of Tennis. To assist the ITF in carrying out this responsibility, the ITF has appointed a Rules of Tennis Committee which continually monitors the game and its rules, and when considered necessary makes recommendations for changes either on a permanent basis or for a limited trial period to the Board of Directors of the ITF who in turn make recommendations to the Annual General Meeting of the ITF which is the ultimate authority for making any changes to the Rules of Tennis.