On-Court Etiquette & Handling Bad Line Calls
Recreational tennis runs on a code of unwritten rules and, crucially, on players honestly calling the lines on their own side. Get the etiquette right and you'll never be short of hitting partners; get it wrong and word travels fast. Here's how to handle the court — and the inevitable dodgy call — like a good sport.
You call your side — and when in doubt, call it in
In unofficiated tennis, each player is the sole judge of balls landing on their own side of the net. The golden rule the community lives by: if you aren't sure a ball was out, it's in. The benefit of the doubt always goes to your opponent.
Make out calls promptly and clearly (a call or a raised hand). A late or hesitant 'out' is both bad etiquette and, technically, too late — if you can't call it immediately, play it.
When a call goes against you
It will happen, and how you handle it defines you. Stay calm. You may politely ask 'are you sure?' once — but in an unofficiated match, your opponent's call on their side stands, and arguing rarely changes it. Never retaliate with a bad call of your own; two wrongs just make you the villain too.
If a specific opponent is chronically 'creative' with calls, note it, keep your composure, and in league play ask for a roving official. Your integrity is worth more than one point.
Serving and scoring courtesy
Announce the score before every serve — it prevents the vast majority of disputes. Wait until your opponent is clearly ready before you serve, and don't quick-serve someone who's still turning around.
Ball management
Keep your court tidy and safe: clear stray balls before playing a point, and when you send a ball back to the server, hit it (or roll it) directly to them, not vaguely across the court. If a ball rolls onto a neighbouring court mid-point, wait — don't play through their point to fetch it.
Respect the courts around you
Don't walk behind a court while a point is in play — wait for it to finish. Keep noise and movement down during your opponent's points, and if an outside ball or distraction genuinely interferes with a point, it's fair to call a let and replay it.
Be the player people want to play
- Turn up on time and ready to go.
- Call your lines honestly — err in your opponent's favour.
- Keep your temper; no racquet abuse or send-offs.
- Compliment good shots, keep the score straight, and shake hands after.
New to the game? Our Rules & Lingo section covers scoring, the code and the slang.
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