Ethical and sportsmanship-like conduct must be observed at all times. Inappropriate on-court conduct is subject to the Levels of Enforcement penalty system.
Inappropriate conduct includes but is not limited to the following:
Verbal or physical abuse of an official or player: On a Marker’s call, players are permitted to say “let please,” “I appeal,” and on rare occasions politely ask for an explanation. If a call is appealed, the players should wait for the Referee’s decision, which is final and cannot be appealed. The Referee may or may not feel it is necessary to respond to every request for an explanation, but may do so when needed, provided it is handled quickly and politely.
A player is not permitted to scream at their opponent. In addition, a player may not talk to his or her opponent in a negative or disrespectful manner.
Racquet or Equipment Abuse: A player may not exhibit racquet and/or equipment abuse at any point during warm-ups, the games, between games, or at the conclusion of the match. Equipment must remain in control of a player at all times. A player is not permitted to throw, drop, toss, or intentionally hit a wall with his or her racquet or other equipment.
Visible or audible obscenity or profanity: A player is not permitted to make obscene gestures or speak in profane language during a match, including warm-ups and between games.
Time Wasting: A player is not permitted to waste time between points or between games.
Play is continuous and, if necessary, the Referee will enforce the Levels of Enforcement if a player is taking too much time between points and/or between games. Time wasting activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The Server bounces the ball more than 3 or 4 times before the serve (even if it is a “ritual”)
- Not directly returning to the service area after a ball is retrieved between points
- Walking around between points
- Repeatedly stopping to clean eyewear
- Fixing hair
- Untying and retying sneakers
- Frequent arguments with the referee
There are many forms of time wasting and it is the referee’s job to recognize them and stop them quickly.
