What do line umpires call, and what does the chair umpire call?
Rule- South Africa
- Tennis South Africa
- ITF Rules of Tennis
- All ages
- Chair umpires
- Line umpires
- 2026
- Officials
Under Appendix VII of the 2026 ITF Rules of Tennis:
- Line umpires and net umpires, where assigned, make all calls relating to their line or the net, including foot faults on their line.
- The chair umpire calls any line (including foot faults) or the net where no line or net umpire is assigned, and has the right to overrule a line or net umpire when sure a clear mistake has been made.
- The chair umpire may stop or suspend play whenever necessary, and makes decisions on continuous play and coaching under whichever approved Code of Conduct is in operation.
Added 22 Oct 2026