Out-of-Court Play & Conduct

Authorised Out-of-Court Play

Players may leave the court to play the ball only when the court satisfies the required access and safety-area conditions.

This rule links directly to the earlier court requirements, because out-of-court play is not simply a match decision; the venue must physically support it.

Change of Balls

Competition organisers must announce the ball brand, ball type, number of balls used in the match, and ball-change policy in advance.

Ball changes may be scheduled after an established odd number of games, at the beginning of a set, or under the replacement rules when a ball is lost or damaged.

A scheduled ball change does not take place at the beginning of a tie-break; it is delayed until the beginning of the second game of the following set.

Play must not continue with only one ball available. Lost or damaged balls are replaced with the same ball type, using a new ball if the loss occurs within the first two games after a ball change, or a similarly worn ball after that point.

Etiquette and Match Conduct

Players are expected to arrive on time, wear suitable sports clothing and footwear, identify themselves when requested, and behave courteously throughout the competition.

Swimwear is not allowed. If clothing or footwear does not comply, a fault may be given and, if not rectified, the player may be disqualified.

Players may not leave the match area without the umpire's authorisation, and advice from an accredited coach is only allowed during permitted rest times or other moments permitted by the chair umpire or referee.

Players or teams who play in a final must participate in the prize giving unless prevented by verified injury, indisposition, or another reasonable cause.

Abuse, Delay and Unsportsmanlike Behaviour

The conduct rules cover audible or visible obscenity, ball abuse, racket or equipment abuse, verbal or physical abuse, lack of best effort, and unsportsmanlike conduct.

Once a match starts, play must be continuous and may not be delayed without reasonable cause beyond the times allowed elsewhere in the rules.

Time violations have their own progression: first a warning, then loss of first serve for a serving pair or loss of point for a non-serving pair, followed by successive point losses as determined by the referee.

Penalties and Disqualification

The disciplinary penalties for players progress from warning, to warning with point loss, to warning with disqualification. Infractions by both players and an accredited coach may be cumulative when linked to instructions given.

Coach penalties progress from warning to expulsion from the match.

For very serious physical or verbal aggression, the judge or umpire may authorise direct disqualification. A disqualified player loses the match and may not continue in the competition.