I was watching a doubles match where a player clearly struck a ball before it crossed the net. No one called it or mentioned it on either side. Most of my fellow spectators agreed that a player can only call this on himself. I insisted that I can call it on an opponent since I can make calls on my side of the net. Am I right?
—Greg Jungman, Norman, OK
Listen to your fellow spectators. While you are correct that The Code, #5, begins by saying a “player makes calls on own side of net,” this only relates to “shots landing on, or aimed at, the player’s side of the net.” In this case, it’s not an in or out call that needs to be made. The Code, #19, says that a player who hits a ball before it crosses the net “shall concede the point.” It’s up to the hitter to make the concession.
Except where noted, answers are based on the ITF Rules of Tennis and USTA's The Code.
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