What does “banned” mean in tennis? Term explained

In most sports, the elements play a role. While domes usually mean the game will take place at the advertised times, sometimes Mother Nature has a way of sneaking in. A bee delay occurred in a dome during the 2024 Major League Baseball season! A bee delay in a dome prevented a game from starting and the insects caused a two hour delay!

But bees aren’t the typical reason for games to lag. Normally, natural events such as rain and nightfall are the reason why some games have to be put on hold. If you hear that a tennis match is interrupted, in most cases it’s not because of the bees.

Although you can play tennis in the rain and in the dark, it is not advisable. According to the 2024 International Tennis Federation Tennis Rules, the decision whether or not to stop a match ultimately rests with the referee. “The game may be stopped or interrupted at any time if the referee decides that this is necessary or appropriate.”

Of course darkness and rain can lead to a ban, but so can adverse conditions on the pitch. “The referee may also stop or interrupt the game in the event of darkness, weather or unfavorable field conditions. If play is suspended due to darkness, this should be at the end of a set or after an even number of games played.” The current set remains in effect when play resumes.

While suspension is usually not a good thing, there is an upside. If you’re not playing well, you can get some advice in addition to taking a break. The rulebook is cool with advice. “Case 2: Can a player be trained during a break in play? Decision: Yes.”

While no points are credited to a player due to an interruption in play, there are blackout points in tennis tournaments. According to the US Tennis Association, a suspension can be anything: unsportsmanlike conduct, refusal to play, no-show, late arrival, use or possession of drugs, underage drinking, destruction of property, and anything else a referee might disapprove of. This is probably what you think of when you hear about a player being suspended.

When it comes to hanging points, the point matters. A separate score is awarded for each violation. For example, a no-show is worth five points and a late arrival is worth one. If you’re consistently late, but only nine times a year, there’s no ban. The USTA FAQ explains the process.

“Q: What happens if I get blackout points?

If a player receives 10 ban points within a 12-month period, the player will be banned from participating in sanctioned tournaments for three months.”

Simply put, if a game is interrupted, it’s probably due to rain. If a player is banned due to blackout points, it has nothing to do with the weather.