Tennis · Laws of Tennis
Law 21: When to Serve and Receive
1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown
Law 21 governs the timing between the two players at the start of every point. It sets one simple order: readiness comes before the serve. The server does not serve until the receiver is ready, and the Rules ask both sides to be ready within a reasonable time.
The receiver's right to be ready is balanced by a duty in the other direction. The receiver follows the server's reasonable pace and may not slow the server down beyond what is reasonable. Readiness is also judged by what the receiver does: a receiver who attempts to return the serve is treated as ready, while a receiver who turns away from the ball is not. If the receiver is shown not to have been ready, the serve cannot be called a fault, because it should not have been delivered at that moment.
The facts below cover who waits for whom, what counts as a reasonable pace, when an attempt to return settles the question of readiness, and why a serve to an unready receiver cannot be a fault.
21.211When to Serve and Receive
Waiting for the receiver, playing to the server's pace, and when a receiver counts as ready.
Test 1Ready to serve, ready to receiveTake a test
The server does not serve until the receiver is ready.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · recall
The receiver may not slow the server down beyond what is reasonable.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · recall
The Rules ask for readiness within a reasonable time.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · recall
A receiver who attempts to return the serve is treated as ready.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · applied
A serve to a receiver who was not ready cannot be a fault.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · applied
The receiver follows the server's reasonable pace.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · recall
The receiver's right to be ready is balanced by playing to the server's reasonable pace.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · applied
Readiness comes before the serve.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · recall
An attempt to return always counts as ready; a receiver turned away is not.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · applied
If the receiver is shown not to be ready, the serve cannot be called a fault.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 · applied
Questions people ask
- Does the server have to wait for the receiver in tennis?
- Yes. The server does not serve until the receiver is ready, and readiness always comes before the serve.
- Can the receiver take as long as they like to get ready?
- No. The receiver must play to the server's reasonable pace and may not slow the server down beyond what is reasonable.
- If I swing at a serve, can I claim I was not ready?
- No. A receiver who attempts to return the serve is treated as ready, so the claim no longer applies.
- What if the receiver turns away from a serve?
- A receiver who turns away rather than attempting a return has not shown readiness. If the receiver is shown not to be ready, the serve cannot be called a fault.
- Can a serve to an unready receiver be a fault?
- No. A serve delivered to a receiver who was not ready cannot be a fault, even if it misses the service court.
- How long do players have to get ready under Law 21?
- Law 21 itself asks only for readiness within a reasonable time. It balances the receiver's right to be ready against the server's right to a reasonable pace.
Sources
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 21 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 2110