# Law 11: Ball in Play (ITF Rules of Tennis)

Tennis · Law 11: Ball in Play · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/tennis/laws/law-11-ball-in-play/)

When the ball is in play: from the moment the server strikes it until the point is decided, unless a fault or a let is called.

## 11.111 Ball in Play

When a ball comes into play, how long it stays in play, and the fault and let exceptions.

### Test 1: When the ball is in play

- The ball comes into play with the server's strike. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)
- Once in play, the ball stays in play right up to the end of the point. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)
- Unless a fault or a let is called, the ball is in play from the serve. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)
- No strike, no ball in play: a dropped toss changes nothing. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)
- A ball called a fault is not in play, so play on it does not count. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)
- A let means the serve does not count and the ball was not in play. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)
- The ball is in play until the point is decided, here by the ball landing out. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)
- The ball is in play from the strike to the end of the point. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)
- Nothing from that serve counts; the server serves it again. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)
- The ball is in play from the moment the server hits it. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11)

Sources: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 11 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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