Can the ball touch the net or go round the net post and still be good?
I · Intermediate · How is a point won or lost? · 4 of 8Yes to both. A return is good if the ball touches the net and still lands in the correct court. It is also good if it goes round the outside of the net post, even below the height of the net. And if a ball bounces on your side and spins back over the net, you may reach over to hit it.
How it works
A return is good if:
- the ball touches the net, posts, cord or band and then lands in the correct court;
- the ball is returned outside the net posts (above or below the top of the net) and lands in the correct court;
- the ball has bounced in the player's court and spun or been blown back over the net, and the player reaches over to play it without touching the net;
- the player's racket passes over the net after hitting the ball on their own side;
- the ball hits another ball lying in the correct court.
Tricky cases
Can I hit the ball before it crosses to my side?
No. Hitting the ball before it has passed the net loses the point. The only exception is a ball that has already bounced on your side and gone back over.
My racket crossed over the net after I hit the ball. Is that allowed?
Yes, if you hit the ball on your own side and did not touch the net.
The ball in play hit a ball lying on the court. What happens?
Play continues. If it is not clear that the right ball was returned, a let is called.
Why the rule exists
The test is where the ball lands, not the path it takes to get there. The exceptions for reaching over stop a freak bounce from making a ball unplayable.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ITF rules | As above | L25 |
| The serve | A serve that touches the net post or singles stick is a fault | L19 c; L25 Case 1 |
From the rule book
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rules 24 h and 25 and their Cases. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITF Rules of Tennis (PDF).