Question: Two players are playing in a tournament. These particular player are less than friends.
They are at 6-6 in the third set tiebreak.
The next point was a close call at player A's baseline. The call was out but not that audible.
Now, both thought they won the point and thought the score was 7-6 in their favor.
Strangely on the next point it was a close call on player B's baseline.
The call was signaled out, but not visible to the other player, making player A think he won the match.
Both players now thought they had won the match. Approached the net, shook hands and went to the tournament desk reporting the win.
As tournament director, what to do ...
1. At 6-6, Player A called a ball out, but the call was “not that audible.” While the point belongs to Player A, he should be reminded that Code Section 15 provides that an opponent is entitled to prompt and audible or visible out calls, even on shots that are obviously out.
2. Whichever player served the next point apparently violated Code Section 31 by not announcing the score before serving. If players would follow this rule, it would eliminate virtually all scoring controversies and confusion.
3. The out call by player B on the next point again arguably violated Section 15 by not being visible to the opponent.
4. Because both players shook hands believing in good faith they had won the match, neither can be penalized for shaking hands and walking off the court, so the tournament director should have had the players confirm their calls on the preceding two points, and send the players back out to the court to complete the tiebreak from 7-7.
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