Who makes the decisions in a tennis match?
I · Intermediate · Time, coaching, officials and line calls · 7 of 8The chair umpire is the final authority on questions of fact in a match, such as whether a ball was in. Line umpires call their lines, and the chair umpire can overrule only a clear mistake, immediately. The referee is the final authority on the rules and can suspend play for darkness, weather or the state of the court.
How it works
- Chair umpire: final on facts. Calls any line or net where no line umpire is assigned.
- Line and net umpires: make all calls for their line or the net, including foot faults.
- Overrule: only at once, and only when the chair umpire is sure a clear mistake was made. Never because a player protested.
- If nobody can make a call, the point is replayed.
- Referee: final on tennis law. A player may call the referee if they disagree with the chair umpire's reading of a rule, but not about a fact.
- Play may be suspended by the chair umpire when necessary, and by the referee for darkness, weather or court conditions. When play resumes, the score and the players' positions stand.
- Suspension for darkness should come at the end of a set or after an even number of games.
Tricky cases
Can a player ask the referee to change a line call?
No. A line call is a question of fact, and the chair umpire's decision is final.
Can the umpire overrule a call after the point is over?
No. An overrule must be made immediately after the mistake.
Who calls the lines when there are no officials?
The players. The rules cover matches where officials are appointed; without them, by custom each player calls the balls on their own side.
Why the rule exists
Separating facts from law gives players one quick decision on what happened and a proper appeal on what the rules mean.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Matches with officials | As above | L28; App VII |
| Team events with the referee on court | The referee is also final on facts | App VII |
From the rule book
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 28 and Appendix VII. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITF Rules of Tennis (PDF).