Correcting Errors
Rule 27


27. CORRECTING ERRORS (NEW)
As a principle, when an error in respect of the Rules of Tennis is discovered, all points previously played shall stand. Errors so discovered shall be corrected as follows:
a. (OLD 9a, 11 & 27 b.iii) During a standard game or a tie-break game, if a player serves from the wrong half of the court, this should be corrected as soon as the error is discovered and the server shall serve from the correct half of the court according to the score. A fault that was served before the error was discovered shall stand.
b. (OLD 16) During a standard game or a tie-break game, if the players are at the wrong ends of the court, the error should be corrected as soon as it is discovered and the server shall serve from the correct end of the court according to the score.
c. (OLD 15 & 37) If a player serves out of turn during a standard game, the player who was originally due to serve shall serve as soon as the error is discovered. However, if a game is completed before the error is discovered the order of service shall remain as altered. A fault that was served by the opponents(s) before the error was discovered shall not stand. In doubles, if the partners of one team serve out of turn, a fault that was served before the error was discovered shall stand.
d. (OLD 27, Case 3) If a player serves out of turn during a tie-break game and the error is discovered after an even number of points have been played, the error is corrected immediately. If the error is discovered after an odd number of points have been played, the order of service shall remain as altered. A fault that was served by the opponent(s) before the error was discovered shall not stand. In doubles, if the partners of one team serve out of turn, a fault that was served before the error was discovered shall stand.
e. (OLD 38) During a standard game or a tie-break game in doubles, if there is an error in the order of receiving, this shall remain as altered until the end of the game in which the error is discovered. For the next game in which they are the receivers in that set, the partners shall then resume the original order of receiving.
f. (OLD 27, Case 1) If in error a tie-break game is started at 6 games all, when it was previously agreed that the set would be an Advantage set, the error shall be corrected immediately if only one point has been played. If the error is discovered after the second point is in play, the set will continue as a Tie-break set.
g. (OLD 27, Case 2) If in error a standard game is started at 6 games all, when it was previously agreed that the set would be a Tie-break set, the error shall be corrected immediately if only one point has been played. If the error is discovered after the second point is in play, the set will continue as an Advantage set until the score reaches 8 games all (or a higher even number), when a tie-break game shall be played.
h. (NEW) If in error an Advantage set or Tie-break set is started, when it was previously agreed that the final set would be a deciding match tie-break, the error shall be corrected immediately if only one point has been played. If the error is discovered after the second point is in play, the set will continue either until a player or team wins three games (and therefore the set) or until the score reaches 2 games all, when a deciding match tie-break shall be played. However, if the error is discovered after the fifth game has started, the set will continue as a Tie-break set. (See Appendix IV)
i. (OLD 32) If the balls are not changed in the correct sequence, the error shall be corrected when the player/team who should have served with new balls is next due to serve a new game. Thereafter the balls shall be changed so that the number of games between ball changes shall be that originally agreed. Balls should not be changed during a game.

End - Correcting Errors.
End - Correcting Errors.
Please note that Rule 27 - Correcting Errors - is a new rule. It does not replace any previous Correcting Errors Rule, neither is it an amended version of a previous Correcting errors rule.



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