What happens if a table tennis player is injured?
A · Advanced · Time, coaching, cards and officials · 4 of 8Checked 13 October 2026
The referee may suspend play for up to 10 minutes if a player is hurt in an accident, such as a fall. Cramp, exhaustion and injuries the player already had do not qualify. If anyone in the playing area is bleeding, play stops until they are treated and the blood is cleaned up.
How it works
- The referee, not the umpire, allows the suspension.
- It must be as short as practical and never more than 10 minutes.
- It is refused if it would unduly disadvantage the opponent.
- Not allowed: a disability present or to be expected at the start of the match, the normal stress of play, cramp or exhaustion.
- Bleeding: play is suspended at once and resumes only after treatment and removal of all traces of blood.
- Players may not leave the playing area during a match without the referee's permission.
Tricky cases
Can a player get treatment for cramp?
No, not as an emergency suspension. Cramp is treated as part of the player's own fitness.
What if the player cannot continue after 10 minutes?
The regulations set 10 minutes as the limit. A player who cannot resume cannot complete the match.
Why the rule exists
It separates bad luck from poor fitness. An accident earns time to recover; tiring in a long match does not.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ITTF regulations | As above | Reg 3.4.4.4 to 3.4.4.7 |
From the rule book
ITTF Statutes 2026, Regulations 3.3.1.2 and 3.4.4.4 to 3.4.4.7. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITTF Statutes (PDF).