Rule 17: changing balls
Organisers announce the ball brand and type, how many balls each match uses and any change policy. Balls are changed after a set odd number of games or at the start of a set, never at the start of a tie-break, and lost balls are replaced at once.
Apartado 1: Announce the balls
Competition organisers must announce the brand and type of balls in advance.
Apartado 2: Announce how many
They must also announce in advance how many balls are used in each match: two or three.
Apartado 3: Announce the change policy
They must announce their ball change policy, if they have one.
Apartado 4: After an odd number of games
If balls are changed, one option is to change them after a set odd number of games.
Apartado 5: The warm-up counts as two
For this count, the warm-up counts as two games.
Apartado 6: A tie-break counts as one
For this count, a tie-break counts as one game.
Apartado 7: Not at a tie-break
Balls are not changed at the start of a tie-break.
Apartado 8: The change is put off
Instead, the change is put off until the start of the second game of the next set.
Apartado 9: At the start of a set
Another option is to change the balls at the start of a set.
Apartado 10: A missed change
If a change due after a set number of games is missed, correct it when it is the turn of the pair who should have served with the new balls.
Apartado 11: Back to the schedule
After that correction, keep to the original change schedule.
Apartado 12: Replace a lost ball
If a ball is lost or damaged during the match, replace it as soon as possible.
Apartado 13: Never play with one ball
Play does not continue with only one ball available.
Apartado 14: Same type from the umpire
The chair umpire gives the players replacement balls of the same type.
Apartado 15: Lost early: a new ball
If a ball is lost within the first two games after a ball change, it is replaced with a new ball.
Apartado 16: Lost later: matching wear
If a ball is lost after two games have been completed since the change, it is replaced with a used ball of similar wear. That way the balls in play still feel the same.
En partidos reales
Preguntas
Does the warm-up count when working out ball changes?
Yes. For the ball change count, the warm-up counts as two games and a tie-break counts as one.
Are balls changed before a tie-break?
No. The change waits until the start of the second game of the next set.
What happens if a ball splits during a match?
It is replaced as soon as possible with a ball of the same type: a new one within two games of a change, otherwise a used one of similar wear.