Alternative procedures and scoring

Appendix VI. Optional alternatives

These are approved alternatives, not requirements for every match. The competition’s chosen procedure determines whether they apply; specific options below remain at the sanctioning body’s discretion.

No-Ad games: Rule 5 alternative

Call the server’s score first. The sequence is love, 15, 30, 40 and game. If both sides win 3 points, call deuce and play 1 deciding point instead of advantage scoring.

The receiver or receiving team chooses the right or left half for the deciding serve. In doubles, receiving partners cannot switch positions to receive it. Whoever wins that point wins the game.

In mixed doubles, the receiver for the deciding point must be the same gender as the server. The receiving partners still cannot change positions.

1. Short sets: Rules 6 and 7 alternative

Win a short set by taking 4 games with a lead of 2. At 4–4, play a tie-break. Alternatively, the sanctioning body may choose to play the tie-break at 3–3.

2. Short-set tie-break: 5 points

This option is available only with short sets. The first side to 5 points wins the game and set; at 4–4, play 1 deciding point. The sanctioning body sets the service order and number of serves. Players change ends only after the initial 4 points.

3. Match tie-break: 7 points

At 1 set all, or 2 sets all in best-of-5, an optional match tie-break replaces the deciding final set. The first side to reach 7 points with a lead of 2 wins the tie-break and match. Continue as long as needed to achieve that margin.

4. Match tie-break: 10 points

At 1 set all, or 2 sets all in best-of-5, this alternative also replaces the deciding final set. The first side to reach 10 points with a lead of 2 wins the tie-break and match. Continue until the required margin is reached.

Conditions when a match tie-break replaces the final set

• Continue the original service order under Rules 5 and 14.
• In doubles, partners may change their serving and receiving order within the team as at the start of a set, under Rules 14 and 15.
• Take a 120-second set break before the match tie-break.
• Do not change balls immediately before the match tie-break, even when a ball change would otherwise be due.

5. Final-set tie-break: 10 points

When the match is tied at 1 set all, or 2 sets all in best-of-5, and the final set reaches 6–6, a 10-point tie-break may decide the match. Win by reaching 10 with a lead of 2; continue if necessary until that margin exists.

Alternative end changes: Rule 10

Under this alternative, change ends after the 1st point of a tie-break and then after every 4 points.

No-let serving: Rule 22 alternative

This option removes the service let in Rule 22(a): a serve that touches the net, strap or band stays in play rather than being replayed for that contact.

In doubles using short sets, No-Ad scoring and the no-let rule together, the sanctioning body may additionally allow either receiver to return a serve that touches the net, strap or band and lands in the correct service box. This receiver choice is a specific optional combination, not a general doubles rule.