Tennis · Laws of Tennis
Law 21: When to Serve and Receive
1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown
The timing between server and receiver: the server waits for the receiver, the receiver plays to the server's reasonable pace, and an attempt to return counts as being ready.
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
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