Court of Appeals

Resolving Your Rules Questions&Quarrels

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Truth and Consequences

My opponent’s first serve hit the net and trickled back into the service box on his side. He chose not to remove the ball and proceeded with his second serve. During the ensuing rally, my drop shot hit the ball lying on the court and ricocheted off to the side. My opponent called a let, but I contended that it was his responsibility to remove the ball prior to his second serve, so it should be my point. Who was right?—Amit Lele, Chelmsford, Mass.

Your opponent has no right to claim a hindrance (“called a let”). He chose to start the point with the ball on his court rather than clearing it, and must accept the consequences. When your shot struck the stray ball one of three things could have happened: a) your opponent returned the live ball, and play continued; b) your opponent could not return the live ball, and you win the point; or c) you both were unsure of which was the ball in play, in which case replay the point (Rule 25.d., Case 2).

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