What is a Net Ball in Tennis?

Written By Khaled

Always playing tennis, if not playing, I'll be watching - day in, day out.

When it comes to Tennis, there are a lot of terms that you may hear for the first time. One of these terms is net ball, which refers to a situation in which a tennis ball touches the net and lands outside of the court area, thereby resulting in a let – meaning no point is awarded.

Are you interested in learning more about net balls and what they are in tennis? Keep reading the article!

Let Ball and Net Ball in Tennis: Where Do They Come From?

The origin of the term “net ball” can be traced back to the time when tennis first began. At that time, there was no official rule stating whether a ball touching the net counted as in or out. So, the players would just call it “net” whenever the ball touched the net. However, if both players agreed that the ball was in, then they would simply play on.

It wasn’t until 1881 that the first official rules of tennis were written down and published by Major Walter Wingfield. In these rules, it was stated that a let should be called if the ball touched the net.

So, from that moment on, any time a ball touches the net, it is referred to as a net ball or a let ball – regardless of whether it goes in or out of bounds.

Net Balls and Let Balls are the Same Thing

As we mentioned before, a net ball is also referred to as a let ball. In tennis, the terms are used interchangeably and have the same meaning.

Technically speaking, a let is when the point is not replayed, and no player is awarded a point. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as if the ball hits the net, if there is a double fault, or if a player is distracted by something on the court.

On the other hand, a net ball specifically refers to a situation in which the ball hits the net and then goes out of bounds. Again, this results in a let, and no point is awarded to either player.

When Does a Net Ball Become a Fault?

While a net ball is not counted as a fault, there are some situations in which it can become one. For example, if the ball goes over the net but lands out of the court, this is considered a fault.

If you are playing in an official tournament or competition and you hit a ball that touches the net but lands out of bounds, your opponent will be awarded a point.

Another situation that may be considered a fault is if the ball hits the net and then goes into your opponent’s court, but they were not able to return it. This would be considered an unforced error on their part, which would make you the winner of that point.

How Many Net Balls are Accepted?

So, how many net balls are allowed before the point is lost? Well, there is no limit to the number of net balls that can be hit in a game or match. Even if you hit 10 or 20 net balls, as long as the ball reaches your opponent’s side of the court, it is considered valid.

If you are playing in an official tournament or competition and you hit a ball that touches the net but lands out of bounds, your opponent will be awarded a point. But if they cannot return it, then this would not count as a fault on your part.

Overall, net balls and let balls are an important part of the game of tennis. Whether you hit a ball that touches the net or not, it is crucial to stay focused and play your best no matter what comes your way!

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