Law 20: Second Service (ITF Rules of Tennis)

Law 20: Second Service

1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

What follows a first-serve fault: a second serve, without delay, from the same half of the court, unless the fault was served from the wrong half.

20.201Second Service

The second serve, its timing and the half it is served from.

A fault on the first serve gives the server a second service.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · recall
The second serve follows straight away.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · recall
The server stays on the half the fault was served from.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · recall
The same-half rule does not apply when the fault came from the wrong half.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · applied
The second serve is played without delay.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · recall
A foot fault is a fault, so a second serve follows.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · applied
Halves alternate between points, not between the first and second serve.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · applied
No change of half and no pause before the second serve.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · recall
The second serve comes from the correct half.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · applied
The second serve is made from the same half as the fault.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 · applied

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 20 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)