Rule check

[speedy shuttle]

Are you allowed to change racquets in the middle of a game, even if you haven't broken strings?

[Dill]

In a club setting yes but in tournaments I would think it is up to the discression of the organiser to allow such things

I don't think there are rules against it but it's just common decency to allow a racket change during a game and just unsporting of your opponent to deny your request.

[speedy shuttle]

thats what I thought - however, in a local tourny someone was not allowed to switch, yet in a larger tourny people were switching racquets at their own free will. So i figure it is legal. but just wanted to check.

[Neil Nicholls]

the only rules I can think of that could prevent you from changing a racquet are:

if you want to change racquet repeatedly then it could be seen as delay of play (16.4)

but mostly it would be 16.5.2
Except during the five minute interval..no player shall leave the court during a match without the umpire's permission.

but in the recommendations to umpires there is 3.9
Ensure that players do not leave the court without the umpire's permission. However, change of racquet at courtside during a rally is permitted.

(this is more to allow a doubles partner to change a racquet in mid-rally though)



If your other racquets are right by your court, there should be no problem changing racquet if you want to. It doesn't matter if the strings are broken or not. If there is an umpire, all you have to do is ask permission. It should be granted. If there is no umpire, who is there to say you can't change your racquet?

[LazyBuddy]

Originally Posted by speedy shuttle

however, in a local tourny someone was not allowed to switch,

Do they provide a reason for why???

I mean, I can't think about a reason for not allowing players to switch rackets. Many ppl carry mult. rackets to practice and tournies, and surely not just for the sole purpose of "string break".

[prophet]

Should not be a problem to switch racquets, unless it was excessive of course! By excessive I would think more than once, but I can't imagine changing racquets several times.

As an aside, sometimes it is absolutely a good a idea to switch racquets. Sometimes the racquet you are playing with just doesn't feel right for whatever reason, or you need more power or more control for whatever reason, and you just happen to have that particular racquet in your bag.

[speedy shuttle]

Originally Posted by prophet

Should not be a problem to switch racquets, unless it was excessive of course! By excessive I would think more than once, but I can't imagine changing racquets several times.

As an aside, sometimes it is absolutely a good a idea to switch racquets. Sometimes the racquet you are playing with just doesn't feel right for whatever reason, or you need more power or more control for whatever reason, and you just happen to have that particular racquet in your bag.

I agree x2 , sometimes a different racquet can make a difference.