"The Code", established by the USTA, is a summary of procedures and unwritten rules which dictate all rules that the players must follow. If players of good will use these principles, they should be able to reach agreement, making a better game and more fun for all participants.

1. Each player makes the line calls on his side of the net.

2. When in doubt about a call, the player shall call in favor of the opponent.

3. When an opponent requests help on a call, a player shall provide assistance if he has a clear opinion. If neither player is certain about the call, then the ball is considered good.

4. Regardless of whether he is asked, a player shall call against himself any ball that is clearly out.

5. No matter how obvious the call, the opponent is entitled to an audible or visible out call.

 7. If the player failed to make the return, his opponent wins the point. If the mistake is made on the 2^nd serve, the server is entitled to two serves.

8. A player may ask his opponent about his call by asking, "Are you sure?" No further delay is permitted. If the opponent reaffirms that the ball was out, his call is accepted. If the opponent is uncertain, he loses the point.

9. A call cannot be made until after the ball has hit the court.

When a ball from another court enters the playing area, a player must call a "let". The player losses the right to call a "let" if he delays in making the call.

10. A player must call against himself in each of the following:

     a. A ball touches him.  

       b. He touches the net.

     c. He touches the opponent’s court.

     d. He hits the ball before it crosses the net.

     e. He carries or double hits the ball.

     f. He allows the ball to double bounce.

11. A player shall make a ruling on a ball that his opponent hits through the net and on a ball that his opponent hits into the ground before it goes over the net.

12. All warm-up serves shall be completed before the first serve of the match.

13. The receiver shall comply with the server’s request to have three balls in his possession at the start of a point unless the retrieval of the third ball would prolong a delay.

14. A player may warn his opponent that he has made a flagrant foot fault. If the foot fault continues, the player may request a line judge.

15. Any player may call a service let.

16. The receiver shall play to the reasonable pace of the server.

17. When a ball coming onto the court interrupts the server’s 2^nd service motion, he is entitled to two serves.

18. When there is a delay between 1^st & 2^nd serves, one of the following must apply.

a. The server gets one serve if he was the cause of the delay.

b. The server gets two serves if the receiver caused the delay or if there was outside interference.

19. The server must announce the score before each point.

20. Disputes over the score shall be resolved by using one of the following methods:

     a. Count all points and games agreed upon by the players and replay   only the disputed points or games.

    b. Play from a score mutually agreed to the players.

    c. Spin a racquet or toss a coin.

21. If an opponent repeatedly violates the rules that govern play, a player may ask for an umpire or line’s judge. The player may leave the court to seek assistance of the referee or request an umpire.

22. A player shall not talk while the ball is moving toward his opponent’s side of the court. If the player’s talking interferes with his opponent’s ability to play the ball, the player losses the point.

23. A player shall not go behind an adjacent court to retrieve a ball, nor shall he ask for return of a ball from players until after their point is over.