Tennis · Laws of Tennis
Law 22: The Let During a Service
1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown
When a serve is a let: it touches the net, strap or band and is otherwise good, or touches the net and then the receiving side, or is served before the receiver is ready; the serve is taken again, and an earlier fault stands.
22.221The Let During a Service
Net-cord lets, lets on an unready receiver, what is served again, and the No-Let alternative.
Test 1Service letsTake a test
A serve that touches the net and is otherwise good is a let.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 · applied
Posts and sticks make it a fault; the net, strap and band make it a let.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 · recall
After touching the net, a serve that strikes the receiving pair is a let.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 · applied
Touching the net does not rescue a serve that misses the box.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 · applied
A serve delivered before the receiver is ready is a let.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 · recall
A service let does not cancel a previous fault.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 · applied
Without the service let, a net-cord serve that lands in is played.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix VI (No-Let rule) · applied
The let replays only the second serve; the first-serve fault still counts.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 · applied
The serve does not count and is taken again.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 · applied
Touching the band and otherwise good makes it a let.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 · applied
Sources
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 22 with Appendix VI (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 229
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix VI (No-Let rule)1