How Tennis Broken-String Rules Work Explainer
If a tennis player's strings break during a point, the point continues unless another rule stops play. The player may finish that rally with the damaged racket, switch hands, or attempt any otherwise legal return. A broken string is not an automatic let and does not erase the point.
Under the ITF Rules of Tennis, a player may generally continue into another point using the racket with broken strings. An event organizer may specifically prohibit that practice, so professional circuit or tournament regulations can require a playable replacement before the next point begins.
A player may change rackets between points, but cannot create an unreasonable delay while searching for equipment or arranging repairs. The continuous-play rules still apply. Players therefore bring multiple prepared rackets and normally switch immediately when the string bed loses tension or control.
The racket itself must remain legal. Its hitting surface uses one generally uniform, flat pattern of crossed strings, with only one set of strings. A failure in that pattern is tolerated as damage during play; a deliberately nonconforming string system is an equipment violation rather than a broken-string incident.
No. The rally normally continues until it ends for another reason.
The ITF Rules generally allow it, unless the event organizer specifically prohibits it.
No. The player must remain within continuous-play timing and normally switches to a spare racket.
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