How Tennis Net-Touch Rules Work Explainer
A tennis player loses the point if the player, racket, clothing, or anything carried touches the net, net posts, singles sticks, cord, metal cable, strap, band, or the opponent's court while the ball is in play. The restriction protects the physical boundary separating the two sides.
The ball remains in play until the point is decided. A player who volleys a winner cannot touch the net while the ball is still bouncing or traveling before the point ends. Once the ball has bounced twice, landed out, or otherwise become dead, later contact with the net is irrelevant.
The ball itself may touch the net during a rally and remain live if it crosses and lands correctly. On a serve, a ball that touches the net and otherwise lands in the proper service court is a let and is served again. That is different from the player's prohibited contact.
A racket may cross above the net after contacting the ball on the player's own side as part of a follow-through. In the special case of a ball spinning or blowing back over the net, a player may reach across to strike it, but still cannot touch the net or the opponent's court while play continues.
It loses the point only when the ball is still in play.
Yes. The rally continues if the ball crosses and lands legally.
Yes, if contact with the ball occurred on the player's side and the net is not touched.
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