USTA singles cheat sheet

Tennis

Abbreviated for fast reads. USTA publishes Friend at Court (ITF Rules of Tennis + USTA Comments + The Code); when in doubt, follow the official book.

Foot fault Let only on serve No reach over net

Match format

Points: 0 → 15 → 30 → 40 → game. Tied at 40–40 = deuce; next point is advantage for the winner of that rally, then game on the next point — or use no-ad (first to 4 points wins the game) if the event uses it.
Sets: first to 6 games, win by 2, or win a 7-point set tiebreak at 6–6 (10-point match tiebreak may replace a final set — event decides).
Match: common formats include best of 3 sets, or one pro set to 8 games.
Toss: winner picks serve, receive, or end; loser picks remaining.

Service procedure

Warm-up: one practice serve is allowed before the match starts (per Friend at Court).
Position: stand behind the baseline between the center mark and the singles sideline; feet may not touch the baseline or court until after you strike the ball.
Delivery: toss and hit the ball before it bounces; serve must clear the net and land in the diagonal service box.
Foot fault: touching the baseline or wrong court, walking or running, or touching the imaginary extension of the center mark — all are faults.

Faults & lets

Two serves: you get two attempts per point. Miss the box, hit a permanent fixture, or foot-fault = first serve lost; repeat on second try = double fault — you lose the point.
Service let: ball touches the net and lands in the correct service box — replay that serve only (first or second).
Receiver ready: the receiver must be ready when the serve is struck; repeated delay can be penalized.

Service order & change of ends

Games: the server alternates every game.
Change ends: after the 1st, 3rd, 5th… game of every set (i.e. when the total number of games played is odd).
Deuce / ad: in each game you alternate service courts (deuce court vs ad court) after every point.
Tiebreak: first point served from the deuce court; opponent serves the next two points (starting ad), then you serve two, and so on; change ends every 6 points scored in the tiebreak.

In-play rules

Lines: if any part of the ball touches the line, the ball is in.
Bounce: you must return before the ball bounces twice on your side.
Net & court: do not touch the net, posts, singles sticks, or the opponent’s court while the ball is still in play.
Reach: you may not reach over the net to strike a ball that has not yet entered your court (follow-through over the net after a legal contact is allowed).

Hindrance & other lets

Deliberate hindrance: you lose the point.
Unintentional hindrance: first time is a let — replay the point with the same server and score.
Outside disturbance: ball rolls on court, etc. — usually a let (replay the point).

The Code (USTA)

Line calls: call balls on your side promptly and honestly; if unsure, the ball is in (benefit to your opponent).
Foot faults: if there is no official, call your own foot faults when you are sure you committed one.
Pace: serve within 25 seconds of the end of the previous point (unless a different official time applies).
Coaching: only where the competition regulations allow it (often between sets / changeovers in league play — not during points).

Conduct & breaks

Between points: up to 25 s (official time).
Changeovers: 90 s when changing ends (no sit-down after the first game of each set).
Set break: 120 s between sets.
Medical timeout: one 3-minute treatment timeout per treatable medical condition when officials apply ITF procedures.
Bathroom / change of attire: follow event / referee instructions (FAC / tournament regulations).
Code violations: escalate warning → point penalty → game penalty → default for serious misconduct.