I love talking about the rules of tennis! So many scenariosย play out on the courts; however, the rules for them arenโt always clear. One rule that constantly needs addressing regards the unintentional or deliberate hindrance.
Recently, Deb C. wrote in with a rule question, and itโs that could apply to all of us at some point:
In my doubles league match, my partner was serving at deuce to try and get us to a tiebreak. When the opponent returned her serve, the opponents watching on the sidelines yelled out, โGreat return!โ as my partner was moving for the ball. Then, the ladies started yelling out things like โWay to make her move!โ, โThey suck!โ, and stuff like that as we were trying to play. My partner got so frustrated, and during a changeover, she asked the seated opponents to be quiet during the points. Of course, they didnโt.
Needless to say, we let the opponents into our heads, and we lost the match.
Now, these arenโt random people walking by watching. They were opponents who had finished their matches and knew that the dayโs win depended on our match. I know itโs a deliberate hindrance if your tennis opponent yells out as youโre trying to hit your shot. But what about players from the opponentโs team in a league match heckling you as youโre trying to play?
Obviously, itโs rude and annoying, but is it against the rules?
Thatโs a GREAT question, Deb!
Is this a deliberate hindrance in tennis?
Here is the rule in the Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations as it applies under โHindrance Issuesโ:
Rule 36. Let due to unintentional hindrance and loss of point due to deliberate hindrance [โฆ] Out calls and other noises from spectators are not hindrances and, therefore, are not considered grounds for a player calling a let or claiming the point.
Thatโs right. Distracting noises, talking, or even yelling during a match is considered a deliberate hindrance in tennis ONLY if your match opponents do it. Yepโฆ you read that right. Why this rule doesnโt apply to heckling opponents on the sidelines is beyond me because the amount of distraction is EXACTLY the same, if not worse!
Though you canโt stop them from being jerks, you can prevent them from ruining your match: Keep your focus on your game, and if youโre playing doubles, help your partner do the same. Donโt let these rude players into your head and distract you from doing what you must to win.
And just think โ wouldnโt beating them be the best feeling EVER?
Is heckling punishable at all?
While it isnโt a โhindranceโ for spectators to heckle players during a match, it is definitely unsportsmanlike conduct. Get the team captains involved right away. If nothing changes, file a grievance with the league coordinator (unsanctioned leagues) or the USTA Local Grievance Committee. The officials may take disciplinary action against the player(s) or even the entire team. The severity of punishment depends on whether or not they have a pattern of disregard for the rules and tennis etiquette. In the worst-case scenario, they kick the entire team out of the league. Yes โ that can happen!
Whatever action they take may not save your match today. However, it could help prevent those ladies from doing it in the future.
What are your thoughts about off-court heckling? What if it is done for the sole purpose of causing a player or doubles team to lose? Do you think itโs a deliberate hindrance? Letโs discuss in the comments below!
