Hindrance
Also known as: hindrance rule, deliberate hindrance, unintentional hindrance, distracting an opponent, distracting your opponent, grunting in tennis, is grunting allowed, ball falls out of pocket, ball fell out of my pocket, hat falls off during a point
A hindrance is something that stops you playing a point fairly. If an opponent hinders you on purpose, you win the point. If it is accidental, like an opponent's hat or a ball falling from their pocket, the point is replayed. Stop play right away to claim it.
ITF Rule 26 has two parts. If a player is hindered by a deliberate act of the opponent, the player wins the point. If the hindrance is an unintentional act of the opponent, or something outside the player's own control, the point is replayed. Permanent fixtures such as the fence never count. A ball hitting a bird is replayed. A ball or object already lying on your side when the point started is not a hindrance. Stopping play because you thought your opponent was hindered loses you the point.
The Code fills in the detail. A let for an accidental hindrance applies only if you could have made the shot. Nothing within your own control earns a let, such as your racquet slipping, your shoe coming off or tripping over your own hat. If an opponent's hat falls off mid-point, you may call a let. Spectator noise is not a hindrance. An opponent's ringing phone is a deliberate hindrance, and you may stop and claim the point.
Movement and noise have limits. You may feint and change position at any time, even during the server's toss. Waving arms or the racquet, or stamping, purely to distract is not allowed. Singles players should not talk during points. Players should avoid grunting, and only an official can rule that grunting is a hindrance. Under The Code, a player who claims a hindrance must stop play as soon as possible.
Tips by skill level
Keep spare balls deep in a pocket or ball clip so they cannot fall out. If something distracts you, stop at once rather than finishing the shot.
In doubles, keep quiet when the ball is heading toward the opponents. A shout of 'get back' as they hit can be ruled a deliberate hindrance.
Example
Mid-rally, a spare ball drops from the opponent's pocket and rolls across the court. The player stops right away and calls a let, and the whole point is replayed with two serves.
Why it matters
Hindrance claims are easy to abuse and easy to get wrong. Knowing the difference between deliberate and accidental keeps matches fair and calm.
Common mistakes
- Playing on after a hindrance, missing, and then asking for a let
- Claiming a let for your own dropped ball or loose shoe
- Calling a hindrance on an opponent's grunt in a match with no official
- Shouting 'out' early on an opponent's shot that then lands in
Frequently asked questions
Is grunting a hindrance in tennis?
It can be, but only an official can rule on it. The Code says players should avoid grunting and loud noises. In a match without officials, ask for an official if an opponent's grunting is extreme.
What happens if a ball falls out of my opponent's pocket during a point?
You may stop play and call a let, and the point is replayed. Under ITF Rule 26, an unintentional act by the opponent means a replay. The player whose ball fell cannot claim a let.
Can I move around while my opponent is serving?
Yes. The Code lets you change position at any time, including during the toss, and feint with your body. Moves or sounds made only to distract, like waving your racquet or stamping, are not allowed.
Sources
Related terms
- Let During a RallyIf a ball from another court rolls onto yours mid-point, any player on your court may call a let as soon as they see it. The whole point is then replayed, and the server gets two serves again. Call it right away, because playing on and then asking for a let is not allowed.
- Line Calls Without Officials (The Code)In matches without officials, each player calls the balls on their own side of the net, and any doubt goes to the opponent. Calls must be prompt and clear, out loud or with a hand signal. If an opponent makes a pattern of bad calls, The Code says you may contact an official.
- Doubles CommunicationGood doubles partners talk before, during and after every point. Before the serve, agree on the serve target and whether the net player will cross, often with hand signals. During the point, call short words like mine, yours or switch while the ball is coming toward you. Between points, meet within a few seconds, stay positive and plan the next point.
- Tennis EtiquetteBasic tennis etiquette: warm your opponent up by hitting to them, announce the score before each point when serving, and make prompt, fair calls. Wait until a point ends before walking behind a court or returning a stray ball. Then send the ball straight to a player. Shake hands at the end.
- Receiver Ready Rule (Quick Serve)The server must wait until the receiver is ready, and the receiver must play to the server's reasonable pace. If you are not ready, make no attempt to return the serve. It is then replayed as a let. If you try to return it, you count as ready, even on a quick serve.
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