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Tennis · Laws of Tennis

Law 26: Hindrance

1 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

When a player is hindered: a deliberate act by the opponent wins the point for the hindered player; an unintentional act, or something outside the player's control other than a permanent fixture, means the point is replayed.

26.261Hindrance

Deliberate and unintentional hindrance, things outside the player's control, and the Rule's cases.

Test 1Deliberate and unintentionalTake a test

  1. A deliberate hindrance costs the opponent the point.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · applied

  2. An unintentional act by the opponent means a replay.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · recall

  3. Something outside the player's control, other than a permanent fixture, leads to a replay.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · applied

  4. Deliberate acts win the point; unintentional ones lead to a replay.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · recall

  5. Shouting on purpose is a deliberate hindrance.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · applied

  6. Accidental acts by the opponent give a replay; deliberate ones lose the point.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · recall

  7. Permanent fixtures are excluded from the hindrance rule.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · recall

  8. The point won, the point replayed, and no hindrance at all.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · recall

  9. A deliberate act gives the point to the player it was aimed at.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · applied

  10. An unintentional act by the opponent leads to a replay.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 · applied

Test 2The cases of the RuleTake a test

  1. An accidental double hit is not treated as a hindrance.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 1 · recall

  2. A player may not stop play on the opponent's behalf.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 2 · applied

  3. A bird is outside the player's control, so the point is replayed.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 3 · applied

  4. A ball left on the player's own side from the start is not a hindrance.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 4 · applied

  5. Partners may stand anywhere on their side; a hindrance is judged under the hindrance rule.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 5 · recall

  6. Partners may stand anywhere, but a hindrance is still judged as one.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 5 · recall

  7. A ball from outside is beyond the player's control; one lying on their side from the start is not a hindrance.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 4 · applied

  8. A bird is outside the player's control.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 3 · applied

  9. Stopping play on someone else's behalf costs the point.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 2 · applied

  10. The server's and receiver's partners may stand anywhere on their own side of the net.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 5 · applied

Sources

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26 with Cases 1-5 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

  • ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 2610
  • ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 53
  • ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 22
  • ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 32
  • ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 42
  • ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 11