Double hit?

Question

Exactly what is a double hit? Is it defined explicitly in the rules? For example, what if the ball hits your strings and then the racquet? Is that a double hit? Can you tell by the sound the ball makes against the racquet?

Also, must the frame of the racquet be straight, or can it be slightly curved? I knew a guy who played with a slightly curved frame so he could sling balls back at the opponent, using very loose strings. I told him I thought slinging the ball like that was illegal, but he didn't care. I told him only clean, crisp hits count. Right?

Answer 1

The rules for double hits get interpreted differently. The key thing to keep in mind is "single, fluid motion" in a single swing. If the ball hits two parts of the racquet (eg string then frame or string then string) due to a vibration of the racquet or due to the angle of impact on one swing, this is a perfectly legal and happens all the time even at pro level. What is illegal is for a player to touch the ball with their racquet on two or more swings at the same stroke. A swing, in this case is interpreted as a motion in a certain direction to make contact with the ball. Once that motion is broken, stopped, reversed or counteracted (even ever so slightly) and the ball is touched, a further movement of the racquet and deliberate 2nd touch will be ruled foul and the player will lose the point. In doubles, both players on the team take the place of the singles player and the same rule applies.

As for your Lacrosse player friend, please advise him that:
a- Curved racquets are illegal.
b- Tensions that are so loose as to scoop the ball are illegal.
c- "Slinging" implies that the ball is in a sense carried momentarily on or in the racquet, which is illegal.

Answer 2

A double hit means that the ball hit the racket twice. It doesn't matter where on the racket the ball hits (strings, frame, etc) nor if it was intentional or not. You can usually feel it on your racket when there is a double hit (and if your eyes are quick enough you can see it too). In official tennis rules, a double hit is illegal.

In local matches, you and your partner can specify in the beginning of the match whether an unintentional double hit will be deemed legal or not. Since a double hit usually doesn't change the complexion of a point, most players don't worry about them and play them legally. But in an ATP or WTA tournament the umpire will call out a double hit and the player will lose the point.

Answer 3

A double hit is when a ball hits the racquet twice on one swing. If done unintentional it is legal.

You are not allowed to sling the ball beacuse it is not a fluid motion.

Answer 4

A double hit is illegal according to USTA's the Code. Look at #20