The phrase ‘let’ is commonly used in the game of tennis, but have you ever stopped to think why it is called this? Let us explore why ‘let’ is used in tennis and what it means for the game.
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Defining the term ‘let’
‘Let’ is a term used in tennis to indicate that a point or game should be replayed due to a disturbance or interruption in play. This can be due to a number of reasons, such as a ball hitting the net, a ball bouncing too high or a player being unable to reach a shot.
The term ‘let’ is used to indicate that the point should be replayed and that no points are awarded to either player.
Why is it called ‘let’?
The term ‘let’ is thought to have been derived from the French word ‘laisser’, which means ‘to leave’ or ‘to allow’. It is also suggested that the term is derived from the old English word ‘lettan’, which means ‘to hinder or to delay’.
The use of the term ‘let’ in tennis is thought to have first been used in the late 19th century and has since become a widely accepted term in the sport.
Reasons to replay a point – or ‘let’
There are a number of reasons why a point might be replayed in tennis, otherwise known as a ‘let’. These include:
Ball hitting the net
If the ball hits the net before bouncing in the service court then a ‘let’ is called and the point is replayed.
Ball bouncing too high
If the ball bounces too high in the service court then a ‘let’ is called and the point is replayed.
Player unable to reach a shot
If a player is unable to reach a shot due to a disturbance or interruption in the game then a ‘let’ is called and the point is replayed.
Incorrect call by the umpire
If the umpire makes an incorrect call then a ‘let’ is called and the point is replayed.
What happens when a ‘let’ is called?
When a ‘let’ is called, the point is replayed and no points are awarded to either player. The players are then required to continue playing from the same position as before the ‘let’ was called.
When is a ‘let’ not called?
A ‘let’ is not called when a player makes an incorrect shot or fails to make a shot. In these cases, the point is awarded to the other player.
How does a ‘let’ affect the game?
A ‘let’ can affect the game in a number of ways. It can give a player a second chance to win a point, which can be beneficial if they were struggling to make a shot. It can also give the other player an opportunity to regain the advantage, if they were on the receiving end of a difficult shot.
Conclusion
The term ‘let’ is widely used in the game of tennis and has been used for many years. It is used to indicate that a point should be replayed due to a disturbance or interruption in play and no points are awarded to either player. The term ‘let’ is thought to have been derived from the French and old English words for ‘to leave’ and ‘to delay’.
A ‘let’ can affect the game in a number of ways, by giving a player a second chance to win a point or giving the other player an opportunity to regain the advantage. It is an important part of the game of tennis and is used to ensure fair play.