What Is a Let in Tennis? Rules, Examples and Scoring

A let in tennis is a situation in which play is stopped and the point is replayed. The score does not change, and the players repeat the point from the same score. A let most commonly happens when a served ball touches the net but still lands in the correct service box.

What does a let mean in tennis?

A let means that the previous action is not counted as a completed point or a service fault. The umpire, official, or player stops play, then the point starts again.

For example, if the score is 30–15 and a serve clips the net before landing in the correct service box, the server serves again. The score remains 30–15. If the same serve lands outside the correct service box, it is a fault rather than a let.

When is a serve called a let?

A service let is called when the ball touches the net, strap, or band and then lands in the correct service court. The receiver must be ready, and the serve must otherwise be legal. The server repeats that delivery.

A let can occur on either the first or second serve. A first-serve let does not remove the server’s first-serve opportunity, so the server still has two serves available. A second-serve let is replayed as a second serve, not restored to a first serve.

In professional tennis, an electronic system may detect a net contact and issue a let call. In matches without automated equipment, the chair umpire makes the decision. At recreational level, players normally call a let when both sides agree that the serve touched the net and landed in.

Let versus fault: what is the difference?

The difference between a tennis let and a fault is whether the serve should be replayed or counted as an unsuccessful delivery.

• Let: The serve touches the net and lands in the correct service box. The serve is replayed and the score stays the same.
• Fault: The serve misses the correct box, hits the net and fails to land in, or breaks another serving rule. The server uses one service attempt.
• Double fault: The server commits two faults in the same point, so the receiver wins the point.

A net-cord serve is not automatically a let. Its landing position matters. If the ball catches the net and drops into the wrong service box, it is a fault.

Can a let happen during a rally?

Yes. A rally let can be called if something outside the players’ control interferes with the point. Examples include a ball from another court entering the playing area, a spectator or official disrupting play, or an unexpected object affecting the rally.

When a rally let is called, the entire point is replayed from the original score. The server normally returns to the first serve unless the interruption occurred after a second-serve fault that had already been called. The exact ruling can depend on the competition rules and the official’s decision.

Is a let the same as a hindrance?

Not always. A let generally stops play and requires the point to be replayed. A hindrance is an interruption or action that affects a player during the point. If the hindrance is deliberate, the player responsible may lose the point. If it is accidental or caused by something outside the player’s control, the umpire may call a let.

Players should continue the rally unless an official stops play or the interruption is clearly unavoidable. Stopping on your own because of a minor distraction does not automatically create a let.

How does a let affect the score?

A let does not award a point, change the game score, or alter the set score. The point is simply replayed. A service let also does not count as a fault, so it does not reduce the number of serves remaining.

For instance, at 40–30, a valid serve that touches the net and lands in is replayed at 40–30. The next legal serve determines whether the point continues; the let itself has no scoring value.