# Law 26: Hindrance (ITF Rules of Tennis)

Tennis · Law 26: Hindrance · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/tennis/laws/law-26-hindrance/)

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.

## 26.261 Hindrance

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

### Test 1: Deliberate and unintentional

- A deliberate hindrance costs the opponent the point. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)
- An unintentional act by the opponent means a replay. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)
- Something outside the player's control, other than a permanent fixture, leads to a replay. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)
- Deliberate acts win the point; unintentional ones lead to a replay. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)
- Shouting on purpose is a deliberate hindrance. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)
- Accidental acts by the opponent give a replay; deliberate ones lose the point. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)
- Permanent fixtures are excluded from the hindrance rule. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)
- The point won, the point replayed, and no hindrance at all. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)
- A deliberate act gives the point to the player it was aimed at. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)
- An unintentional act by the opponent leads to a replay. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26)

### Test 2: The cases of the Rule

- An accidental double hit is not treated as a hindrance. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 1)
- A player may not stop play on the opponent's behalf. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 2)
- A bird is outside the player's control, so the point is replayed. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 3)
- 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)
- 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)
- Partners may stand anywhere, but a hindrance is still judged as one. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 5)
- 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)
- A bird is outside the player's control. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 3)
- Stopping play on someone else's behalf costs the point. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 26, Case 2)
- 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)

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

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