Here are a few tips to keep in mind on and around the courts.  These are not draconian rules but some guidance to help everyone enjoy membership at the Club and anywhere else you play.

These tips are different from the rules of tennis and provide a code of behaviour and actions that ensure that you and other members enjoy the game in all ways. It goes without saying that all members should be respectful of partners, opponents and others playing the game. If you are not sure about anything, please ask.  Committee members, captains, coaches, experienced players and other members will be happy to help.

  1. Please wear recognised tennis clothing and footwear.
  2. Please don’t distract players by walking past a court during a rally. Please wait until the end of the rally.
  3. Please don’t cross courts unnecessarily – most courts have access without disturbing others. If you do need to cross a court, please wait until invited and cross quickly.
  4. Please don’t distract other players by speaking loudly between games or even during play, whether you are playing on an adjacent court, spectating or socialising nearby!
  5. Please don’t criticise partners or opponents – be positive and offer encouragement.
  6. Please show positivity when playing – Frustration is understandable but poor body language puts opponents and partners in an embarrassing position.
  7. Please use the score boards carefully! Don’t use a racket to knock them back – move them carefully by hand. It is best if you return all the markers into the home position after play as this minimises the possibility of accidental damage.
  8. Please carefully look after any food and drink taken onto the courts and use appropriate containers and litter bins.
  9. Please don’t intervene in other players’ games.

Balls:

  1. Balls that stray onto your court from adjacent courts should be returned promptly but not by interrupting play. Please check balls and return discretely or at a break in play.
  2. If your ball strays onto an adjacent court, please don’t demand its return immediately. Wait for a break in play and then request return.
  3. Please don’t wander onto adjacent courts, where others are playing, to collect your stray balls.
  4. Please return balls to the server in a timely manner. Please collect loose balls at your end at the same time as the server is collecting at his end. Please don’t make the server wait whilst you collect and return the remaining balls.
  5. Please return the balls to the server safely, letting them know you are hitting them down the court.
  6. Please don’t return balls when the server is ready to serve – wait until the end of the next point.

Line Calls:

  1. Please only call the lines your side of the net unless your opponents invite you to comment.
  2. If any part of the ball touches any part of the line the ball is
  3. Call quickly and firmly according to what you see and believe is truly correct.
  4. If you are not certain a ball is out – CALL IT IN
  5. Please only call balls out from a distance if you can clearly see the ball out.
  6. If, occasionally, you have a serious doubt about an opponent’s call, you can respectfully ask if they are sure. However, it is their call so if they are sure, you must continue the game.
  7. In a social match where there is agreed doubt, you can agree to replay the point rather that causing undue aggravation and wasting time.
  8. As a spectator, you should not interfere or give an opinion on a disputed line call.