XIII. A ball going out of court hits the top of the post of the net, and bounds into the opposite court.
Decision.—It is a good return. (N.B.—It has occurred with the regular championship posts.)
XIV. The service or the ball in play strikes a ball lying in the court. Can it be returned?
Decision.—Yes; if it be clear to the umpire that the right ball is returned; otherwise the stroke should be called a let.
XV. The server claims that the striker-out must stand in the court. Is this necessary?
Decision.—No. The striker-out can stand wherever he pleases on his own side of the net.
XVI. A bystander gets in the way of a player who fails to return the ball. May he then claim a let?
Decision.—Yes, if in the umpire’s opinion he was prevented by an accident beyond his control. For instance, if the ropes or the seats are allowed to be so near to the court that a player is interfered with by them, the stroke should not be played again, because the ropes and seats form part of the arrangements of the ground. If, however, a spectator passes in front of those seats, or places a chair nearer than the original line, and so interferes with a player, the stroke should be played again.
XVII. A player is interfered with as above, and the umpire directs the stroke to be played again. The server had previously served a fault. He claims the right to two services.
Decision.—The fault stands. A let does not annul a previous fault.