Answers to Rules questions - Q17

Idea by Clive Pollard

The question is :

Q17 - Player serves and opponent returns the ball to the back of the court. Player goes to play the ball but thought that the bounce was odd. Player hits ball and the return does not sound right. Player stops and appeals that ball is broken. Referee confirms this. Opponent appeals that ball was broken on earlier rally, which opponent lost.

Your decision was

Let

This is correct - well done !!

Reason

However, there is a second question to be considered in this situation : for which rally should the let be played ?

If the Referee decides that the ball broke on or after the service for the rally in which the ball was found to be broken, then a let is allowed for that rally, i.e., the player serves again from the same service box.

If the Referee decides that the ball may have been broken during the previous rally (i.e., it was broken but not noticed by the players), a let is allowed for the previous rally, i.e., the opponent serves again from whichever is the correct service box for the previous rally.

Continue ?

Question 18

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