Court etiquette and usage

PLAYERS

When serving: the server should call the score after each point.

Serve when your opponent is ready, don't return serves that are out.

Call your own lines, the call is your opponents' if the ball is at their end.

Foot-faults: A foot-fault takes place if your foot touches either the baseline or the court before your racket touches the ball during serve.

If your ball goes onto another court, wait until they stop playing until you either ask for the ball, or fetch it.

Always go round the net, not over it.

At Duffield, if a train is passing, do not serve until it has passed in order to hear a possible 'let'.

Do not walk behind players if they are playing a point. For most Duffield courts there are dedicated gates from the paths, please use these. (Except courts 2 and 4)

During organised Social Tennis, play a tiebreak when the score is 5-5 or even 4-4 if others are waiting.

Dress: players should wear sports clothes and sports footwear, not jeans or shoes.

Members & Spectators

Do not use your mobile phone on court. Spectators, please speak quietly if you telephone.

Spectators should observe players' feelings and not offer advice, adverse comments or call out during games.

Court usage and priority

Members should not have to wait more than 30 minutes for a game. If all courts are in use, you can ask the members who were playing first, to let you have the court if you have waited 30 minutes.

Please note:

Juniors have Court Priority all Monday evenings, and on Tuesday – Friday evenings, 4.00 – 6.15.

Adults have Court Priority from 6.15 – 8.30 Tuesday – Friday evenings.