Correcting errors

27. The general principle

When a rules error is discovered, all points already played stand. Correct the procedure as follows; do not erase completed points merely because the error occurred.

27(a–b). Wrong serving half or wrong end

• In a standard game or tie-break, a serve from the wrong half of the court is corrected immediately on discovery. Serve from the half required by the score. A fault served before discovering this error still counts.
• If players are at the wrong ends in a standard game or tie-break, correct the ends immediately and serve from the end required by the score. A fault served before discovering this error does not count.

27(c). Serving out of turn in a standard game

Restore the originally scheduled server as soon as the error is discovered. If the game has already finished, keep the altered service order instead. In that case, a ball change scheduled after a specified number of games is made 1 game later than originally planned.

A fault served by the opponent before the error was discovered is cancelled. In doubles, however, if partners on the same team served in the wrong order, a fault already served still counts.

27(d). Serving out of turn in a tie-break

If discovered after an even number of completed points, correct the order immediately. If discovered after an odd number, keep the altered service order.

A fault served by the opponent before discovery does not count. If the error was between doubles partners on the same team, a fault already served does count.

27(e). Doubles receiving order

If a receiving-order error occurs in a standard game or tie-break, keep the changed order until that game ends. Restore the original receiving order for the team’s next receiving game in that set.

27(f–g). The wrong game type at 6–6

• If a tie-break is mistakenly started at 6–6 in an agreed advantage set, correct it immediately if only 1 point has been played. Once the 2nd point is in play, continue the set as a tie-break set.
• If a standard game is mistakenly started at 6–6 in an agreed tie-break set, correct it immediately if only 1 point has been played. Once the 2nd point is in play, continue as an advantage set until 8–8, or a later equal even game score, then play a tie-break.

27(h). A set started instead of a match tie-break

If the agreed final-set match tie-break is mistakenly replaced by an advantage set or tie-break set, correct it immediately if only 1 point has been played. If the 2nd point is already in play, continue until a player or team wins 3 games, and therefore the set, or the score reaches 2–2, when a match tie-break is played.

If the mistake is not discovered until after the 2nd point of game 5 has started, continue as a tie-break set. Appendix VI describes the match tie-break alternatives.

27(i). Missed ball changes

If balls were not changed in the proper sequence, change them when the player or team that should have served with new balls next starts a service game. Thereafter use the originally agreed number of games between changes. Do not change the balls during a game.