My partner was about to volley a shot from close to the baseline. I saw that it was going long, so I yelled, “out!” He let it go and it landed out, but our opponents claimed it was their point because I said “out” before the ball hit the ground. They said I couldn’t use that word because it is a distraction. Are they right?
— David Gee, San Diego, CA
In this case, shouting “out!” wouldn’t cost you, since the ball indeed landed out. However, had the ball landed in and your partner returned it, your opponents could have claimed the point. The Code, Item 12, says you lose the point if you make an out call and then reverse it (such as by continuing to play the ball). You’re always at risk when you use the word “out” during a point if it’s not meant to be a call. Better to say, “Bounce it.”
Except where noted, answers are based on the ITF Rules of Tennis and USTA's The Code.
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