1957-58

LAWN TENNIS
557
26. The players shall change sides at the end of the first, third
and every subsequent alternate game of each set, and at the end
of each set unless the total number of games in such set be even,
in which case the change is not made until the end of the first game
of the next set.
27. The maximum number of sets in a match shall .be five, or,
where women take part, three.
28. Except where otherwise stated, every reference in these
Rules to the masculine includes the feminine gender.
29. In matches where an Umpire is appointed, his decision shall
be final ; but where a Referee is appointed, an appeal shall lie to
him from the decision of an Umpire on a question of law, and in
all such cases the decision of the Referee shall be final.
The Referee, in his discretion, may at any time postpone a match
on account of darkness or the condition of the ground or the weather.
In any case of postponement the previous score and previous
occupancy of Courts shall hold good, unless the Referee and the
players unanimously agree otherwise.
30. Play shall be continuous from the first service till the match
be concluded ; provided that after the third set, or when women
take part, the second set, either player is entitled to a rest, which
shall not exceed io minutes, or in countries situated between
Latitude 15 degrees North and Latitude 15 degrees South, 45
minutes, and provided further that when necessitated by circum-
stances not within the control of the players, the ,Umpire may
suspend play for such a period as he may consider necessary. If
play be suspended and be not resumed until a later day the rest may
be taken only after the third set (or when women take- part the
second set) of play on such later day, completion of an unfinished
set being counted as one set. These provisions shall be strictly con-
strued, and play shall never be suspended, delayed or interfered with
for the purpose of enabling a player to recover his strength or his
wind, or to receive instruction or advice. The Umpire shall be the
sole judge of such suspension, delay or interference, and after giving
due warning he may disqualify the offender.
NOTE.—Any Nation is at liberty to modify the first provision in Rule 30 or omit it
from its regulations governing tournaments, matches or competitions held in
its own country, other than the International Lawn Tennis Championship
(Davis Cup).
L.T.A. NOTE.—The L.T.A. do not allow an interval in matches or competitions or
tournaments held in this country other than Davis and Wightman Cups.
THE DOUBLES GAME
31. The above Rules shall apply to the Doubles Game except as
below.
32. For the Doubles Game, the Court shall be 36 ft. in width,
i.e.,
4
1
ft. wider on each side than the Court for the Singles Game,
and those portions of the singles side-lines which lie between the
two service-lines shall be called service-side-lines. In other respects,
the Court shall be similar to that described in Rule I, but the portions
of the singles side-lines between the base-line and service-line on
each side of the net may be omitted if desired.
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