In a singles match, my first serve hit the net and came to rest on my side of the court, inside the lines. I left it there. After a good second serve, my opponent’s return hit the ball that I had left on the court. It took a weird, but fortuitous, bounce and I was able to return it. I eventually lost the point, but wondered if I actually lost the point when the active ball struck the resting ball.

— Pat Paxton, Jacksonville, NC

No, you got a second chance. Too bad you couldn’t take advantage of it. Rule 25, Case 2, addresses this situation specifically: “Play continues. However, if it is not clear that the actual ball in play has been returned, a let should be called.

Except where noted, answers are based on the ITF Rules of Tennis and USTA's The Code.

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