Cases and Decisions
Case # 1 – What are the 5 events in WTT?
Decision – Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles
Case # 2 – What decisions are made by the home team coach prior to the match?
Decision – The home team coach decides on the order of play and if they want the choice of serve or side in either events 1, 3, & 5 or 2 & 4.
Case # 3 – When is Overtime played?
Decision – If the trailing team wins the 5th Event then Overtime begins.
Case # 4 – What event is played in Overtime and do the players change ends?
Decision – Overtime consists of the same event that was played in the 5th event. Players always change ends before Overtime – (NEW RULE).
Case # 5 – When is a Supertiebreaker played?
Decision – If the trailing team ties the score in Overtime.
Case # 6 – What event is played in the Supertiebreaker?
Decision – The same event as the 5th Event & Overtime.
Case # 7 – What are the pre-match line-up procedures?
Decision – 60 minutes prior to the scheduled match time the Box Umpire is given the Order of Play Form by the Home Team’s Coach. The Box Umpire then gives the visiting team coach a copy of the Order of Play Form. 30 Minutes prior to the scheduled match time, the Box Umpire gets both teams Line-Up form. The Line-ups are then exchanged between teams by the Box Umpire. THE BOX UMPIRE MUST HAVE BOTH ROSTERS BEFORE MAKING THE EXCHANGE.
Case # 8 – What is a Roster Player, and what is a substitute player?
Decision – A roster player is a player who was drafted by a team during the WTT Draft. They are eligible for 3 events. A substitute player is a player who was not drafted by the team. If a substitute player plays 3 or more matches they are eligible for 3 events. If they play 1 or 2 matches they are eligible for only 2 events – (NEW RULE).
Case # 9 – What authority does the Box Umpire have from 60 minutes prior to the start of the match until the conclusion?
Decision – FULL AUTHORITY – They are the Supervisor, Referee, and Box Umpire. They are to make ALL decisions, using the Officiating Operating Procedure Manual as a guide. If something is not addressed in the manual they are to make the most reasonable decision, and inform the Bryan Hicks with in 2 hours of the conclusion of the match of the situation. They are to remember that they report to the Manager of Officials and WTT Staff, not Owners, General Managers, Coaches, or Players.
Case # 10 – What steps should be followed if an unusual situation occurs?
Decision – See page 15 of this manual for the procedure – (NEW RULE).
Case # 11 – Do players warm up players of the opposing team?
Decision – No, players of the same team will warm each other up. This requires players to cross the net and take the opposite side of the court.
Case # 12 – When do introductions begin?
Decision – Introductions are to start 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the match.
Case # 13 - What time intervals are to be announced during the warm-up?
Decision – 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, 15 seconds.
Case # 14 – Who’s responsibility is it to check the level of the microphone?
Decision – The Box Umpire is to perform a microphone check at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the match – (NEW RULE).
Case # 15 – How much time is allowed between events?
Decision – Teams are allowed 5 minutes between events, this must include the 3 minute warm up. Teams are required to inform the Box Umpire if they will be using the extra 2 minutes when forms are submitted. This also applies to half-time which can be a total of 10 minutes including the 3 minute warm-up – (NEW RULE).
Case # 16 – What is the penalty of starting a match more than 5 minutes after the scheduled start time?
Decision – There is no penalty to the teams, the actual start time is to be recorded on the scorecard.
Case # 17 – What size logos are players allowed to have on their uniforms?
Decision – Logo’s must conform to ATP and WTA standards.
Case # 18 – How many events are players eligible for?
Decision – A player playing 3 matches or more can play 3 events. A player playing 1 or 2 matches is only eligible for 2 events. A marquee player or a player substituting for a marquee player is eligible for 3 events – (NEW RULE).
Case # 19 – How many points does a player need to play for it to be counted as a played event?
Decision – 1 point counts as an event.
Case # 20 – How many substitutions is a team allowed to make per event?
Decision – The team can make 1 substitution per gender per event.
Case # 21 – Can a player re-enter an event?
Decision – No, once a player has been removed from an event they are not eligible to play in that event again.
Case # 22 – When can an alternate player enter the match?
Decision – Only when all the players of that gender are unavailable due to illness, injury, or ejection.
Case # 23 – Can doubles continue with only one player for a team?
Decision – Yes, if there are no remaining roster players or alternates available to play in place of the ill, injured, or ejected player then the event will continue with only one player?
Case # 24 – What are the procedures if doubles must be played with only one player?
Decision – If, in doubles (Men’s, Women’s, or Mixed), there is no player to substitute (including alternates) for an ill, injured, or ejected player, the event SHALL NOT be defaulted. The team may use the coach as a substitute, if of the same gender. If the coach is already playing, then the team will continue to play with only one player left on the court.
1. If 309 C occurs in Men’s or Women’s doubles, the ill, injured, or ejected player’s service games shall be forfeited. The remaining player will serve his/her scheduled games. The remaining player will return all serves from the opposing team.
2. If 309 C above occurs in Mixed Doubles, and if there are no players of the same gender to substitute, the event shall continue with the 1 remaining player. The ill, injured, or ejected player’s service games shall be forfeited. The remaining player will serve his/her scheduled games. When the remaining player’s team is receiving he/she shall only return from his/her side of the court. The opposing team is still required to serve to the empty court where the result can be an ace, a double fault, or a let where the remaining player can return the ball. In the case of 3-All points the opposing team will serve to the side of the correct gender, whether it is the open court or the remaining player.
Note: Gender to Gender service rules always apply in Mixed Doubles regardless of the number of opponents.
If, in singles, there is no player to substitute (including alternates) for an ill, injured, or ejected player, the event SHALL be defaulted.
Case # 25 – When are ball changes to occur?
Decision – Prior to the start of each event.
Case # 26 – When is a new ball introduced and when is a “like wear” ball used?
Decision – A new ball is introduced during the warm up and 1st game of each event. After the start of the 2nd game of the event a “like wear” ball is to be used.
Case # 27 – How many balls are to be used per event?
Decision – 6 new balls are to be used at the start of each event.
Case # 28 – Do the players ends sides before a tiebreaker of any event?
Decision – No, they change after 4 points of the tiebreaker.
Case # 29 – Do the players change ends before Overtime?
Decision – Yes, in all situations – (NEW RULE)
Case # 30 – Do the players change ends during the Supertiebreaker?
Decision – Yes, after 6 points have been played.
Case # 31 – How many points are in a tiebreaker and what is the serving order?
Decision – It is a 9 point tiebreaker. The serving order remains the same as the event. Each player serves 2 points with the last player receiving an extra serve to end the tiebreaker.
Case # 32 – How many points are in a Supertiebreaker and what is the serving order?
Decision – It is a 13 point tiebreaker. The serving order remains the same as the event. Each player serves 2 points with the last player receiving an extra serve to end the tiebreaker.
Case #33 – What are Players & Coaches required to wear on court?
Decision – Players & Coaches are required to wear their official uniforms. The WTT patch is required to be on the front left chest and their last name on the back.
Case # 34 – Are there specific players who will not be in uniform?
Decision – Some players have clean clothing contracts and will not be in uniform. These players’ names and teams are recorded on the scorecard.
Case # 35 – Are service lets called in World TeamTennis?
Decision – No, All severs are in play in World TeamTennis that hit the top of the net and land in the proper box.
Case #36 – In Doubles, which partner is required to play a serve that hits the top of the net and lands in the proper box?
Decision – Either player in the receiving doubles team may return a serve that hits the top of the net and lands in the proper box.