How do code violations and Code Violation Points work?

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On-court penalty sequence (Appendix Five, LTA Competition Regulations 2026): Code violation in the match Sanction 1st Warning 2nd Point penalty 3rd Game penalty 4th and later Game penalty or default A game penalty given mid-game (say at 30-40) costs you that game; one given once a game has finished costs you the next game. Minor incidents can be handled with a quiet word instead. Immediate default: the Referee can default you straight away for a serious violation, such as physical abuse, threatening behaviour, discriminatory abuse, spitting, ball or racket abuse that hits or targets someone, accusing an official of bias or cheating, or walking off without valid grounds. A default removes you from all events at that competition (singles and doubles), and you forfeit any prizes. Code Violation Points (not given in red ball tennis): Sanction Points Warning, point penalty, each game penalty, default, or off-court violation 2 each Immediate default for failing to complete a match 5 Immediate default for a serious violation 8 10 or more points in a rolling 12 months means an automatic suspension from all LTA sanctioned competition: 3 weeks the first time, then 4, 5 and 6 weeks for further sets of 10. During a suspension you also can't play ITF, Tennis Europe, ATP or WTA events. On-court decisions are final. Only points from an immediate default can be appealed.

Code violation in the match	Sanction
1st	Warning
2nd	Point penalty
3rd	Game penalty
4th and later	Game penalty or default

Sanction	Points
Warning, point penalty, each game penalty, default, or off-court violation	2 each
Immediate default for failing to complete a match	5
Immediate default for a serious violation	8