What is a ‘Let’ in Tennis?
In tennis, a ‘let’ is a situation where the point is replayed. A let is usually called when the ball touches the net, or when a double bounce occurs. The phrase ‘let’ is used to describe a scenario in which the point is replayed, and the original serve is repeated.
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A let is not counted as a point, and it does not count against either player’s game score. In some cases, however, it can affect the score of the set.
Why is it Called a ‘Let’?
The phrase ‘let’ is believed to have originated from the French word ‘laissez’, which means ‘to leave’ or ‘to allow’. This phrase is used to describe a situation in which the referee or umpire allows the point to be replayed.
Rules About ‘Lets’ in Tennis
The rules governing ‘lets’ in tennis are set out in the International Tennis Federation’s ‘Laws of Tennis’. Generally, a ‘let’ is called when:
- The ball touches the net and then lands in the correct area of the court;
- The ball bounces twice, or more, before it is hit;
- A served ball touches any part of the server’s body;
- A ball is hit by a player’s clothing;
- A ball is hit before it has passed the net;
- A player is distracted by an external factor, such as a spectator.
In these cases, the point is replayed and the score remains the same.
When is a ‘Let’ Not Called?
In some cases, a ‘let’ is not called. This includes when the ball lands outside the court, or when the ball is hit before it has passed the net and the player does not gain an advantage. In these cases, the point is not replayed, and the score is awarded to the other player.
What is a ‘Let’ Serve?
A ‘let’ serve is when the serve touches the net and lands in the correct area of the court. In this case, the point is replayed and the server is allowed to re-serve.
What is a Second Serve?
A second serve is the serve that occurs after a ‘let’ serve. This serve is counted as a point, and it does not count against the server’s score.
What is a Double Bounce?
A double bounce is when the ball bounces twice, or more, before it is hit. In this case, a ‘let’ is called and the point is replayed.
What is a Fault?
A fault is when the serve does not land in the correct area of the court. In this case, the point is awarded to the other player and the score is updated accordingly.
Conclusion
A ‘let’ is a situation in tennis where the point is replayed and the original serve is repeated. This phrase is believed to have originated from the French word ‘laissez’, which means ‘to leave’ or ‘to allow’. The rules governing ‘lets’ in tennis are set out in the International Tennis Federation’s ‘Laws of Tennis’. A ‘let’ is not counted as a point, and it does not count against either player’s game score. In some cases, however, it can affect the score of the set.