What Serves Are Illegal in Tennis?
In tennis, there are specific rules and regulations governing serves. Certain types of serves are deemed illegal and can result in penalties or faults. Here are some of the most common illegal serves in tennis:
Serve Out of Boundary: The serve must land within the designated service court or it will be considered out of bounds and results in a fault.
Foot Fault: A foot fault occurs when the server's foot touches the baseline or extends over the center mark prior to striking the ball.
Double Hit: A double hit is when the server hits the ball twice before it crosses the net. This includes hitting the ball twice on the same serve.
Illegal Toss: The toss must be above the server's waist and released from an open palm. If the toss is too low or not released properly, it can be deemed illegal.
Time Violation: The server has 25 seconds to serve after the chair umpire calls "time." Exceeding this time limit results in a time violation and a fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I serve underhand? Yes, but it's considered unconventional and rarely used at the professional level.
- Is it illegal to hit the net on a serve? No, it's not illegal, but the serve must still land in the service court.
- What happens if I make a foot fault on my second serve? A second foot fault on a serve results in a double fault and loss of the point.
- Can I reposition after tossing the ball? No, the server must hit the serve from the same position as the toss.
- What is the optimal height for a serve toss? Generally, between 3-6 feet above the server's head.
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