Rules for tennis matches without an umpire

Most matches at Australian tournaments and leagues are played without a chair umpire. The players run the match themselves.

• Each player calls every ball that lands on their own side of the net.
• "Out" and "fault" calls are made straight after the bounce, loud enough for the opponent to hear.
• A ball that touches any part of the line is in.
• If you are not sure, the ball is in. The opponent always gets the benefit of the doubt.
• A point played in good faith stands. Do not replay points because someone changed their mind late.

• The server calls the score before each serve, clearly enough for the receiver to hear.
• If the players disagree on the score, stop and go back to the last score both agree on.
• At 6–6 in a set, play a tiebreak: first to seven points, ahead by two.
• Check the event's fact sheet for the format. Many junior events use short sets, a match tiebreak instead of a third set, or no-ad scoring.

1. 1Stop play calmly. Do not argue across the net.
2. 2If it is the score, agree on the last point you both remember and play on from there.
3. 3If it is a pattern of doubtful line calls, ask for the referee or court supervisor to come to the court.
4. 4Keep playing once the official has decided. Their decision is final.

Tip: Deliberately making wrong line calls is a breach of the Code of Behaviour, and can bring disciplinary points.

Every 10-and-under competition must use a low-compression red, orange or green ball on a smaller court. The same self-umpiring principles apply.