Tennis Rules Regarding a Second Ball

As with many of the rules and etiquette in tennis, understanding the proper rules regarding a second ball can be intimidating for new and inexperienced players. Not only are there very strict rules in tournament play to follow, but there are also many forms of etiquette that are typically understood even in informal matches.

  1. Serving Etiquette

    • The server should have two balls before beginning any point.

      In informal matches, it is typically understood that, in the absence of a ball boy, the server should always be holding at least two balls before beginning a service match or, in other words, hitting his first serve. This is typically done so that in case the server misses first serve, he has enough balls to play through at least the second serve of that point.

    Loose Ball Etiquette

    • Informal court etiquette dicates that loose balls should be picked up if it bothers the returning server.

      In the absence of a ball boy, typically it is at the discretion of the player who is returning the serve whether or not she would like to have any loose balls cleared from the court. Although naturally it is safest to pick up any loose balls, doing so after every serve can slow down the game significantly, and is typically not done in informal matches.

    Match Etiquette

    • During formal matches and professional level play, it is typically at the discretion of the serving player if he would like to hold a second ball in his pocket. Since formal matches and professional play almost always have ball boys present, it is not necessary to hold a second ball (since the ball boy can hold it for you and have it ready at all times), although many players do so anyway, as a matter of personal preference.

    Second Ball Rules

    • Formal match play has strict rules concerning second balls.

      According to the USTA rules and regulations, if you do choose to hold a second ball in your pocket, whether during a formal match or an informal game, a point is called "let," or dead, if the ball should happen to fall out of your pocket. A let or dead point means that the point is replayed from a first serve, regardless of what might be happening when the ball falls out.