Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Time Violations (ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 29 & Appendix V)
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. The first time violation results in a warning; subsequent violations result in the loss of a first serve (i.e., the server goes directly to a second serve without a first serve); further violations result in the loss of a point.
At the end of a game, players have 90 seconds to change ends (including when play is continuing on the same end). At the end of a set, players receive a maximum of 120 seconds rest. These intervals are timed from the moment the last point of the game/set ends.
Medical timeouts: A player is entitled to one medical timeout per match per medical condition, lasting up to three minutes. Additional time may be granted at the discretion of the tournament physician.
Code of Conduct Violations (ITF Code of Conduct, incorporated by reference)
The ITF Code of Conduct applies to all ITF-sanctioned events. Violations are handled by the chair umpire using a progressive penalty structure:
- First offence: Warning (for most categories of offence)
- Second offence / Point penalty: Loss of a point
- Third offence / Game penalty: Loss of a game
- Default: If a player commits a further offence after receiving a game penalty, the chair umpire may default the player (loss of match). A player may also be defaulted immediately for particularly egregious conduct.
Categories of offence subject to the Code of Conduct penalty schedule include:
- Ball abuse (hitting or throwing a ball in an unsportsmanlike manner)
- Racket abuse (smashing, throwing, or damaging a racket)
- Verbal abuse (using profane or obscene language)
- Audible obscenity
- Unsportsmanlike conduct (including deliberate time wasting, coaching violations)
- Physical abuse of an official or opponent (automatic default, no warning required)
Hindrance (Rule 26)
Deliberate hindrance of an opponent results in the immediate loss of the point for the player causing the hindrance, without warning. Unintentional or involuntary hindrance by any source outside the players' control results in a let.
Illegal Coaching (ITF Rules, Appendix V)
In most professional events, coaching is not permitted during play except during a change of ends or set break. The chair umpire will issue a warning to the player whose coach is providing coaching from the stands during a point or an unauthorised time. A second offence results in a code violation penalty. However, the WTA Tour (and some ITF events) permits on-court coaching by a designated coach during change of ends. Players must refer to the specific tournament regulations.
Foot Faults (Rule 18)
A foot fault is called when the server's foot touches or crosses the baseline before the racket strikes the ball. It is treated as a fault (loss of one serve). A foot fault on the second serve results in a double fault and the point is awarded to the receiver.
Let (Rule 22)
A let is called and the point (or serve) is replayed, not penalised, in the following circumstances:
- A served ball touches the net cord but lands correctly in the service box (service let)
- A ball is served when the receiver is not ready (provided the receiver makes no attempt to play the ball)
- A point is hindered by a factor outside the players' control (e.g., a ball from another court rolls onto the court in play)