UMPIRING IN TENNIS
THE COURT
STARTING A MATCH
Each team has a colour. Please know what team you are umpiring, their colour and that you have the right
money ready when you go to collect the balls and scorecard at the office.
Keep your team together so they are ready to play when the courts are free. No need for prolonged hit ups
before they play.
Before you start, toss a coin or racquet. The winner of the toss has the choice of service or end or the right to ask
your opponent to choose first.
When umpiring Juniors it is always a good idea to find out each player’s name and be ready to assist players with
basic instructions for where they should be positioned, where to move to and encourage the child to stand
ready to hit the ball.
SERVING
All games must with the Server and Receiver standing on the right (or forehand) side of the court and then
alternating sides with each point.
The ball must pass over the net and hit the ground within the service court diagonally opposite before the
Receiver returns it.
What is a fault? A fault is a served ball that does not land in the diagonally opposite service court, or is not properly
served.
What is a let? A let is a served ball that touches the net and still bounces in the correct services court. A let is not
counted as a fault and is replayed.
What is a foot fault? A foot fault is when the Server steps over the baseline into the court, centre line or sideline
with either foot during the serve. Foot faults are not usually called in junior competitions, however umpires should
remind players of this rule.
Last Updated October 2013
CHANGING ENDS
The players change ends every time the total number of games played is uneven, e.g. after games 1,3,5 etc This
is so one player does not have an advantage in outside conditions such as wind or sun.
In the tie break, the players change ends after every 6 points.
SCORING
The server always calls his score first. If the server wins the first point, he gets a score of 15. Scoring is done like a
clock. See example below. Love means zero in tennis. The second point is called 30. The third point is called 40
and game is won when a player wins the fourth point before their opponent has won three points.
If the score is 40-40, also known as deuce, one side must win by two points. Advantage Server means if the
server wins the next point, he wins the game. Advantage Receiver means the receiver has a chance to win the
game on the next point.
A let is called during the point if a ball rolls on the court or there is a distraction from someone besides the
players on the court.
A ball that lands on the line is good.
It is a good idea to use a score sheet to help you score. Cross off the score as each point is won. An example is
given below, the score indicates 40-30:
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
The number of games per match varies for each section. These are:
 10 and under (section 2) – 4 games. If score is 2 all, then play the next game in order.
 10 and under (section 1) – first to 4 games
 12 and under – first to 6 games, 5 all tie break
 14 and under – first to 6 games, 5 all tie break
 17 and under – first to 6 games, 6 all tie break.
TIE BREAKS
As with normal games, the Server first serves from the right side of the court. Players swap serves after the first
point and then serve for 2 points each.
The player who first wins 7 points shall win the game and set, provided they lead by a margin of 2 points. If the
score reaches 6 points all, the game shall continue until the margin of two points is reached.
The player whose turn it is to serve shall start by serving the first point to the fore hand court. Then each player
shall serve in turn for two points each, in the same order as before in this set.
The players who first win seven points shall win the game and set, provided they lead by a margin of two points.
If the score reaches six points all, the game shall continue until a margin of two points is reached.
A – the first point is served to the forehand court by Player ‘A’
B – the second point is served to the backhand court by Player ‘B’
C – the third point is served to the forehand court by Player ‘B’ and so on as shown in the diagram…
Last Updated October 2013
Odd points are served to the forehand courts. Even points are served to the backhand courts.
SOME RULES TO REMEMBER
A ball that touches any part of the line is in, even if the ball touches the outside of the line
If a player hits a ball that is going out of court on the full, the ball remains in play
Only the umpire and players should be inside the court area
Encourage good court etiquette. No bad language, racquet abuse, arguing with umpires over decisions – the
umpire’s decision is final.
Encourage players to shake hands at the end of the match
Last Updated October 2013
SCORE CARD
Game: ____________________________
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Server
Receiver
0
0
15
15
30
30
40
40
Deuce
Deuce
Adv
Adv
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Game Score:
Last Updated October 2013