Rule authority, rulings and appeals

Who makes the rules?

The ITF is responsible for protecting tennis through its Rules of Tennis. Its Rules of Tennis Committee continually reviews the game and recommends changes to the Board of Directors. The Board then recommends changes to the Annual General Meeting, which is the ultimate authority for rule changes.

The English text is authoritative. If a translation conflicts with it, the English version prevails.

Changing or interpreting the rules

Under the constitutional provision reproduced in the rules, changes or interpretations require an Annual General Meeting of the Council, advance notice of the resolution in accordance with Article 9D of the ITF Constitution, and a majority of 2/3 of the votes cast on that resolution or one with the same effect.

A change normally takes effect on 1 January following the meeting. The meeting may choose a different effective date by the same majority. The Board of Directors may resolve urgent interpretation questions, subject to confirmation at the next General Meeting under the cited constitutional provision.

The constitutional text governing this amendment process may itself be changed only with unanimous consent of a General Meeting of the Council. The supplied document references the constitutional notice procedure but does not reproduce its full requirements.

Alternatives, trials and beach tennis

Appendix VI contains approved alternative procedures and scoring methods. Separately, the ITF may approve variations solely for trials, either on its own initiative or following an application. Trials are limited to specified tournaments or events and/or a limited period, are not incorporated in the published rules, and require a report to the ITF when completed.

Appendix XI states that separate Beach Tennis Rules are approved by the Rules of Tennis Committee and the Board of Directors. It does not supply those rules. No beach-tennis playing rules can therefore be derived from that appendix alone.

The formal ruling procedure

The review and hearing procedures were approved by the Board of Directors on 17 May 1998 and may be supplemented, amended or varied by the Board. Their purpose is a fair, consistent and prompt process that preserves the game’s character, integrity and traditional skills, encourages improvements that retain its challenge, and safeguards fair competition.

The procedures cover rulings on Rule 1 (the court), Rule 3 (the ball), Rule 4 (the racket), Appendices I and II, and any other rules the ITF chooses to include. A Ruling Board decides following either a motion of the Board of Directors or a valid application. Its ruling is final unless appealed through this procedure.

Who serves on a Ruling Board?

The ITF President or a designee appoints the Ruling Board and determines its size. If there is more than 1 member, the members select their chair. A sole member acts as chair and regulates the proceedings.

The chair regulates proceedings before and during review or hearing and may add members with the particular expertise needed for a specific issue. A hearing is not compulsory if the chair considers the matter can fairly be resolved without one.

Consultation and applications

For a proposed ruling initiated by the Board of Directors, details may be sent to genuinely interested persons, players, equipment manufacturers, national associations or their members. Those notified receive a reasonable period to send comments, objections or requests for information to the President or designee.

Any party with a genuine interest, including a player, equipment manufacturer, national association or member, may apply in writing to the President. The application must include the information below.

• Give the applicant’s full name and address and the date of the application.
• Explain clearly the applicant’s interest in the question requiring a ruling.
• Provide all relevant documents that the applicant intends to rely on at a hearing.
• If expert evidence is considered necessary, request it and identify the proposed expert and relevant expertise.
• For a racket or other equipment ruling, submit a prototype or an exact copy with the application.
• If exceptional circumstances require a ruling within a particular time or before a particular date, explain those circumstances.

Incomplete or repeated applications

If the required information or equipment is missing, the President or designee notifies the applicant and sets a reasonable period to correct the deficiency. Failure to correct it within that period results in dismissal. A valid application or a Board motion allows the President or designee to convene a Ruling Board.

A Ruling Board may dismiss an application if it reasonably considers it substantially similar to an application or motion already decided by a Ruling Board within the preceding 36 months.

Review, evidence and costs

The chair determines the form, procedure and date of any review or hearing and gives written notice to the applicant and persons or associations that have expressed an interest. The chair decides evidence issues without being bound by court rules of procedure or admissibility, provided the process is fair and relevant parties have a reasonable opportunity to present their case.

Reviews and hearings are private and may be adjourned or postponed. Decisions are made by a simple majority; no member may abstain.

The chair has discretion to order the applicant and/or other participating people or organisations to pay costs of the application and reasonable expenses incurred for equipment tests or reports.

Notice and interim effect

As soon as reasonably practicable after its decision, the Ruling Board gives written notice to the applicant and those persons or associations that expressed an interest. The notice includes a summary of its reasons. The ruling becomes binding immediately upon notification to the applicant, or on another date specified by the Board.

The existing Rules of Tennis remain applicable until the review or hearing concludes and a ruling is issued, subject to interim rulings. Before or during proceedings, the chair may issue reasonably necessary directions, including temporary restrictions on equipment while its compliance is being decided.

Appeal eligibility and deadline

The applicant may appeal. A person or association that expressed an interest and submitted comments, objections or requests concerning the proposed ruling may also appeal.

The appeal must be submitted in writing to the chair of the original Ruling Board no later than 45 days after notification of the ruling. It must identify the ruling challenged and give the full grounds of appeal.

The original chair may require a reasonable appeal fee as a condition of the appeal. That fee is refunded if the appeal succeeds. The President or designee convenes the Appeal Tribunal after any required fee is paid.

The Appeal Tribunal and final decision

The President or designee appoints the Appeal Tribunal from the Board of Directors. It must contain at least 3 members, none of whom served on the original Ruling Board. The tribunal chooses its chair, who regulates proceedings before and during the appeal.

The appeal follows the provisions for procedure, evidence, private hearings, costs, notice and interim rulings described above. Its ruling is binding and final immediately upon notification to the appellant, or on another date the tribunal specifies.

Language, publication and delivery of notices

All reviews and hearings take place in English. If an applicant or another participating person or organisation does not speak English, an interpreter must be present and should be independent wherever practicable.

A Ruling Board or Appeal Tribunal may publish extracts of its own rulings. All required notifications must be in writing and are treated as notified on the date they are communicated, sent or transmitted to the applicant or other relevant party.