Law 24: Player Loses Point

Two consecutive faults lose the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24a · applied

The ball must be returned before it bounces twice in a row.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24b · recall

A return landing outside the correct court loses the point for the hitter.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24c · applied

Hitting an object outside the correct court before the bounce loses the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24c · applied

The serve must bounce before the receiver returns it.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24e · applied

A serve that strikes the receiving pair on the full wins the point for the server.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 7 · applied

In singles the alley is outside the correct court.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24c · applied

Two faults in a row cost the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24a · recall

The second bounce ends the point against the player who did not reach it.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24b · applied

Catching or hitting the ball before it bounces loses the point unless it is a good return.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 8 · applied

Deliberately carrying, catching or double-hitting the ball loses the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24f · applied

The ball may not touch the player or anything they wear or carry, except the racket.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24i · applied

Only the held racket may touch the ball.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24i · recall

The ball touching a racket the player is not holding loses the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24j · applied

Only one partner may touch the ball in a return.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24l · applied

Throwing the racket at the ball loses the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 6 · applied

Deliberately and materially changing the racket's shape during play loses the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24k · applied

A thrown racket can never win the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 6 · applied

Two touches by a doubles pair on one return lose the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24l · applied

A player may not hit the ball before it has passed the net.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24h · applied

The net is off limits to player and racket alike during a rally.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24g · applied

The net, its posts and sticks and the opponent's court are all off limits while the ball is in play.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24g · recall

The ball was still in play when the racket touched the net.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 1 · applied

Once the serve has landed out, the ball is no longer in play.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 2 · applied

A serve is live until it lands, so the partner's net touch counts.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 3 · applied

Landing in the opponent's court during play loses the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 5 · recall

Anything the player wears touching the opponent's court loses the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24g · applied

Contact with the net while the ball is in play costs the point.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 1 · applied

The net touch came after the ball was out of play.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 2 · applied

Crossing the imaginary extension of the net is allowed as long as the opponent's court is not touched.

Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 24, Case 4 · applied