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ITF vs NCAA

All Categories Combat Sports Equestrian Esports Individual Sports Motor Sports Party Games Playground Games Racquet Sports Team Sports Water Sports Winter Sports All Categories Combat Sports Equestrian Esports Individual Sports Motor Sports Party Games Playground Games Racquet Sports Team Sports Water Sports Winter Sports

All Categories Combat Sports Equestrian Esports Individual Sports Motor Sports Party Games Playground Games Racquet Sports Team Sports Water Sports Winter Sports

AFirst Sport

ITF

Tennis

First Sport

Details

Players1

Settingboth

Season2026 Rules of Tennis (English) — direct PDF at /media/7221/2026-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf

CategoryIndividual Sports

BSecond Sport

NCAA

Tennis

Second Sport

Details

Players1-2

Settingoutdoor

Season2025-26 NCAA Tennis Rules Book (ITA dual-match format, NCAA Championships May, no-ad scoring at NCAA tournament)

CategoryIndividual Sports

10

Shared Topics

8

Different Rules

2

Shared Rules

Rule-by-Rule Comparison(10)

Challenges (Hawk-Eye Review, Rule 30 & Appendix VI)

Same

ITF

In tournaments not using ELC Live, electronic review (challenge) systems may be used. Each player receives three incorrect challenges per set (plus one additional incorrect challenge if a set goes to a tiebreak).

NCAA

Not covered

Injury and Medical Timeouts (Rule 29 & Appendix V)

Different

ITF

A player who sustains an injury during a match is entitled to: One medical timeout of up to three minutes per distinct medical condition. The timeout begins when the authorised medical personnel reaches the player.; Toilet/change of clothing breaks: one during a match (women are entitled to two);...

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NCAA

Not covered

Section 2: Equipment

Different

ITF

The ball shall have a uniform outer surface and shall be white or yellow in colour. If there are any seams, they shall be stitchless.

NCAA

Racket: ITF-approved per Rules of Tennis Appendix II; Ball: ITF-approved (yellow felt-covered, 65-67 mm diameter, 56-59 g); Court surface: hard court (most NCAA), clay, or indoor — must be ITF-approved

Section 3: Playing Area

Different

ITF

The court is a rectangle, longer than it is wide. Official dimensions are: Length: 23.77 m (78 feet); Width (singles): 8.23 m (27 feet); Width (doubles): 10.97 m (36 feet)

NCAA

Court: 23.77 m × 8.23 m singles / 23.77 m × 10.97 m doubles; Net: 0.914 m height at center, 1.07 m at posts; Service boxes: 6.4 m × 4.115 m each

Section 4: Players & Officials

Different

ITF

Per ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 28 (Player Analysis), a match is played between two players (singles) or two teams of two players each (doubles). In doubles, each team is referred to as a "pair." One player on each side must serve at the start ...

NCAA

NCAA team: 6 singles players + 3 doubles teams per dual match; Lineup: 1-6 singles in order of ability; 3 doubles teams; Officials: 1 chair umpire per court (or 2-3 umpires per court at championship-level), line judges or electronic line-calling, tournament referee, dual-match referee

Section 5: Rules of Play

Different

ITF

Rule 17 – Service Action: The server shall stand behind the baseline, between the centre mark and the sideline. The server shall then release the ball (from the hand that is not holding the racket) and hit it with the racket before the ball hits the ground.

NCAA

3 doubles matches first (1 set to 6, 7-point tiebreaker at 6-6) — winning team gets 1 doubles point; 6 singles matches (best of 3 sets, no-ad scoring, 7-point tiebreaker at 6-6 in sets 1-2; super tiebreaker at 1-1 in sets in some formats); Total: 7 points possible per dual (1 doubles + 6 singles)...

Section 6: Scoring

Different

ITF

The score within a game is called using specific terminology. Starting from zero, the points are: 0 points: "Love"; 1st point won: "15"; 2nd point won: "30"

NCAA

Game: first to 4 points (love, 15, 30, 40, game); Set: first to 6 games, win by 2; tiebreaker at 6-6; Match (singles): best of 3 sets

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Different

ITF

Players have 25 seconds between points (from the end of one point to the beginning of the service motion of the next). At Grand Slam events and ATP/WTA Tour events, a shot clock is used to enforce this rule.

NCAA

Code violation framework: 1st = warning; 2nd = point penalty; 3rd = game penalty; subsequent = default; Common violations: ball abuse, racket abuse, audible obscenity, unsporting conduct, coaching during point; NCAA Sportsmanship Code applies; ejection + disciplinary review

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Different

ITF

When play is suspended, all players must leave the court promptly. Play resumes only when the referee confirms conditions are safe.

NCAA

WBGT-based heat thresholds for outdoor play; mandatory water breaks at high WBGT. Lightning detection halts outdoor play.

Time Violations (ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 29 & Appendix V)

Same

ITF

Players have 25 seconds between points (from the end of one point to the beginning of the service motion of the next). At Grand Slam events and ATP/WTA Tour events, a shot clock is used to enforce this rule.

NCAA

Not covered

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