Tennis
The Unwritten Rules
Non one should do anything to distract either player.
If you make a date to play, be there ON TIME.
When walking to a court, proceed as quietly as possible outside the fence to the gate that is closet to the court to which your are going. Wait at the gate until the game in progress on the adjacent court is over, and walk quickly past the court to your court. Never walk onto a court where a point is in progress.
In tournament situations, wait until the game is OVER before entering a court beside a game. Use a court beside a game ONLY if your play will not interfere with the other game. If you wish to carry on a conversation or are unskilled to the point that you cannot keep the ball off the other court, don’t play beside a game in progress.
Greeting your Opponent
Before you play, greet your opponent in a friendly manner. The "spin" of the racket should be completed before going onto the court to warm up.
Serving and Receiving
The server always begins a point with at least two balls in his/her possession. The server must wait until the receiver is ready before serving both the first and second serve. If the first serve is a fault, the receiver has the option of clearing the court of balls before receiving the next serve (This should be done as quickly as possible).
Keeping Score
Both players should keep score accurately. The server should announce the point before serving each point. If there is a disagreement, meet your opponent at the net and attempt to reconstruct play and figure out the correct score. If an score cannot be agreed on, go back to the last score which both opponents can agree existed. After each point, collect all balls on your side of the net and return them directly to the server (not just anywhere on the server’s side of the net).
When to play a Let
When one of your balls goes astray on an adjacent court, wait until the point in progress on that court is over and then ask for help retrieving the ball. If a ball from another court enters your court in such a manner that your play was interfered with, ask your opponent to play a let. If you win the point and you’re not sure whether something may have distracted your opponent, the courteous thing to do is to offer to play a let.
Calling the Lines
In situations in which there are no officials, you are responsible for officiating on your side of the net and trust your opponent to do so on his/her side of the net. You are also responsible for calling, loudly and clearly, the lines on your side of the net. According to tennis tradition, you should give your opponent the benefit of any doubt. A ball hitting any part of a line bounding the proper court is good. If the ball is so close that the call is questionable, play the ball as good. If the receiver makes no call and returns the ball, the server must be prepared to hit it. Make a call on the other side of the net ONLY if you are asked to by your opponent.
What to do About Questionable Calls
What do you do about an opponent who repeatedly makes incorrect calls? Remain calm and make certain that you know the rules and continue to make correct calls. After the second or third incorrect call you can calmly, politely ask the opponent if he/she is sure about the call. This will alert your opponent to your concern about the calls and may motivate your opponent to improve his/her calls. If an opponent continues to call incorrectly, you have the option of not playing against that person in the future.
When to Talk (or not to talk)
Don’t talk while the ball is in play. the exception is in doubles when is permissible for partners to call "yours" or "mine" in order to communicate with each other. You may also help your partner in calling lines and calling the ball out or in to aid your partner. It is also a nice gesture to compliment your opponent on good shots.
Coaching
Once a player steps out to play a match, coaching should not be accepted from anyone. Ask your friends, parents, and teachers to watch quietly, if they must watch, and to permit you to make and correct your own errors. During the ten-minute intermission, advice and discussion from friends or coaches is permissible.
Attitude
Your opponent is not your enemy. Remember, tennis is a joint venture and there is n room for animosity. Gripping will not enhance the situation for you or your opponent. Temperamental outbursts are not considered good etiquette. Learn to control yourself, and you will be in a much better position to control the ball, your opponent, and the outcome of the match. When playing doubles, it is poor etiquette and poor strategy to criticize your partner.
Using the Courts
Leave the court in a neat condition when you leave. Clean up empty ball cans, wrappers, and other debris. When others are waiting, do not monopolize the courts. Know the rules for court usage (usually posted on the fence) and follow them. Some players indicate that they are waiting for your court by placing a racket in the fence.
Playing in Tournaments
Be sure you abide by both sets of guidelines. Read carefully the conditions of play that will be printed on the tournament’s official entry blank. Entries should be filed on time and as directed by the entry blank. When playing in a tournament, play your best. Practicing shots and "goofing off" when playing a lessor skilled player is extremely bad manners. If you are playing in a tournament where umpires are present, make no line calls. Return everything until you hear the call "out". At the conclusion of a match, shake hands with your opponent. If you lost, offer congratulations to the victor and extend best wishes for the next round. If you won, be a gracious winner and return all balls to the tournament desk, report the score, and find out when you are scheduled to play again.
Spectators
Spectators should sit in the area provided for spectators. Applaud good play after the point is completed. Tennis tradition dictates that you applaud only the good shots made by either side. Spectators should not act in the capacity of line umpires.