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How many let serves are allowed in tennis?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 17, 2026

A let in tennis serve will usually be followed by the umpire calling “let, first (or second) service.” One might ask how many let serves are allowed in tennis? The answer is, there are no limits to how many lets can be called for one point. Serena Willimas once had four service lets in a row!

What are the LET rules in tennis?

Let – a serve is called a let when the ball hits the net cord but still lands in the service court. Such a serve is not considered a fault and the server may repeat the service attempt. A ball that hits the net cord but lands outside the service box is still a fault.

How many times can a player have lets on a serve?

The simple answer is that there's no limit on the number of times you can replay the service when it has hit the net. Rule 2.09 states that it shall be a let "if in service the ball touches the net assembly, provided the service is otherwise correct or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his or her partner".

Can you have a let on a second serve?

When a let is called, the serve does not count, and the server gets to re-serve the point. However, if the let occurred during a second serve, it does not cancel out the fault, and the server only gets another second serve.

What is no let rule in tennis?

Matches are Played with No-Lets

Usually, when a serve lands in-play but hits the net prior to contact, the serve is called a let and is redone. College tennis eliminated this rule, making a let playable.

37 related questions found

Has the let rule in tennis changed?

The ATP announced in September that the let rule — which requires that a serve be redone if the ball clips the net before landing in the service box — would be removed on a trial for three months in the Challenger Tour, the level one step below the ATP World Tour.

How many times can a player serve in a row of Table Tennis?

How many serves does each player get? Each player gets 2 serves, and it alternates until one of the players scores 11 points, unless there is a deuce (10:10). In that case, each player gets only one serve and it alternates until one of the players gets a two point lead.

Why is second serve slower?

The first serve is hit harder, usually closer to the lines, because the server is trying to gain an advantage while knowing they can fall back on the second. The second must go in or the server loses the point, so is almost always hit slower to reduce that risk.

How many consecutive serves do each player have in Table Tennis?

Each player has two consecutive serves (five in the old 21up system), so if they happen to be serving at game point ... all the better for them! However, if the score reaches 10-10 (20-20 in the old 21up system), each player has only one serve, and to win the game you need to be two clear points ahead.

How many serves in tennis?

The server starts behind the baseline on the deuce court and has two serves to get the ball into the service box on the other side of the net. If he gets the ball into the service box the point starts; if he can't get the ball in there with two tries then he looses the point.

How many lets in a point?

One might ask how many let serves are allowed in tennis? The answer is, there are no limits to how many lets can be called for one point. Serena Willimas once had four service lets in a row! See the video here.

Why is a let called a let in tennis?

The name LET is used because the attempt at service is not counted. As a player, you are letting the ball pass, hence the name let. The server gets a second attempt at whichever service it is, the first or the second. It can be a let first serve or a let second serve.

What are the 5 rules of table tennis?

Official Rules of Table Tennis

  • GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS. ...
  • ALTERNATE SERVES EVERY TWO POINTS. ...
  • TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING. ...
  • THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES. ...
  • DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT. ...
  • A SERVE THAT TOUCHES THE NET ON THE WAY OVER IS A “LET” ...
  • ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY.

How many serve does each player have in a 10 point game?

If a score of 10-all is reached, both players will only serve 1 serve each until the game is won. The score is called out with the server's score first.

What is the minimum number of players needed for a table tennis game?

Table tennis, also known as ping-pong and whiff-whaff, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight ball, also known as the ping-pong ball, back and forth across a table using small solid rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net.

Is an underarm serve allowed in tennis?

Although unconventional, the rules allow for underhand serving in tennis. As long as the ball is hit with the racquet prior to hitting the ground, it doesn't matter if it was released in an upward or downward motion. This rule can be found in the Friend at Court under the ITF Rules of Tennis #16 The Service.

What is the most consistent serve in tennis?

'The Serve Dr' Ivo Karlovic is regarded by many as the single greatest server of all time. Standing at 6”11, he holds the all time record for the most career aces served, with a staggering 13,653 in 690 matches! He therefore averages nearly 20 aces per match and will consistently serve at speeds in excess of 140mph.

Can you jump serve in tennis?

We do not jump in the serve for power (or any other stroke). This is important, because it is a fundamentally misunderstood part of biomechanics at all levels of tennis. We do not jump for power. When we jump, we are at our maximum velocity in the instant we leave the ground.

Can you return a let serve?

The simple answer is no. While it may be tempting at times to take that first ball out of the air, this is not allowed. The servers ball must hit the ground inside the correct service box in order for the point to be started.

Is there a let in table tennis?

A Let is called on points that don't count. When you serve a ball that bounces on your side, then hits the net, but continues over and bounces on the opponent's side of the table, that is a 'let' and does not count.

What happens if the score reaches 10-10?

A point is scored after each ball is put into play. The edges of the table are part of the legal table surface, but not the sides. Each player serves two points in a row and then switch server. However, if a score of 10-10 is reached in any game, then each server serves only one point and then the server is switched.

What are 4 types of serves in tennis?

4 Types of Tennis Serves

  • Flat serve. A flat serve is hard and powerful, making it ideal for a first serve in a tennis game. ...
  • Slice serve. The slice serve effectively draws the opposing player out wide to the deuce or ad side, leaving the rest of the court open. ...
  • Kick serve. ...
  • Underhand serve.

What is second serve in tennis?

If a player doesn't hit their serve in the correct service box on their first serve, they are given a second opportunity to hit the ball in the correct box called a second serve. If a player misses two serves consecutively, he or she has double faulted and loses the point as a result.

How many lets Are you allowed before losing a point?

There is no limit on the number of lets. This is actually the same in tennis. However with tennis you have to serve two faults in a row before you lose a point. In Table Tennis if you serve a fault you lose the point.

Are there still lets in tennis?

No-let: Umpires will no longer call let when the ball touches the net on a player's serve. Shot clock: A countdown will ensure that players start points within 25 seconds, and only warm up for five minutes before the start of the match.