When is a hindrance called, and does the player win the point or replay it?

Q: When is a hindrance called, and does the player win the point or replay it?

Rule 26 of the 2026 ITF Rules of Tennis: Hindered by a deliberate act of the opponent(s): the hindered player wins the point. Hindered by an unintentional act of the opponent(s), or by something outside the player's control (not a permanent fixture): the point is replayed. Decided cases: An unintentional double hit is not a hindrance. A player who stops because they thought their opponent was hindered loses the point. A ball in play hitting a bird flying over the court: replay. A ball or object that was already lying on the player's own side when the point started: not a hindrance. In doubles, the server's and receiver's partners may stand anywhere on their own side, but the hindrance rule applies if they hinder the opponents. If a ball is blown back over the net and the player legally reaches over to play it, the chair umpire decides whether any hindrance by the opponent was deliberate (point to the hindered player) or unintentional (replay).

Question

Accepted Answer

Rule 26 of the 2026 ITF Rules of Tennis:

Hindered by a deliberate act of the opponent(s): the hindered player wins the point.
Hindered by an unintentional act of the opponent(s), or by something outside the player's control (not a permanent fixture): the point is replayed.

Decided cases:

An unintentional double hit is not a hindrance.
A player who stops because they thought their opponent was hindered loses the point.
A ball in play hitting a bird flying over the court: replay.
A ball or object that was already lying on the player's own side when the point started: not a hindrance.
In doubles, the server's and receiver's partners may stand anywhere on their own side, but the hindrance rule applies if they hinder the opponents.
If a ball is blown back over the net and the player legally reaches over to play it, the chair umpire decides whether any hindrance by the opponent was deliberate (point to the hindered player) or unintentional (replay).