CODE OF CONDUCT

CODE VIOLATIONS - SHORT TITLES

1. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
2. Best Efforts
3. Physical Abuse
4. Leaving the Court
5. Commencement of Play
6. Rest Period
7. Dress and Equipment
8. Unreasonable Delays
9. Coaching
10. Spectators
11. Verbal Abuse
12. Audible Obscenity
13. Visible Obscenity
14. Abuse of Equipment/Balls

CODE VIOLATION PENALTIES

Where in the opinion of the Referee, Deputy Referee or Umpire, a Code Violation has occurred, the
Referee, Deputy Referee or Umpire shall:-
(a) For the first Code Violation issue a warning
(b) For the second Code Violation issue a final warning
(c) For the third Code Violation in anyone match, default the player.
Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above, where a Referee, Deputy Referee or Umpire is of the opinion that the Code Violation is of a particularly serious nature, he/she may for any single Code Violation default the player without a prior penalty. Prior to any default, the Referee must be consulted if possible.

TOURNAMENT SUSPENSION RESULTING FROM CODE VIOLATION

A suspension from the tournament shall be given if approved by the tournament or competition committee. This shall also apply to suspension for any off-court offences.

CODE VIOLATIONS - SPECIFIC

1. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
A player shall not, during any match or at any other time within the precincts of the site of a sanctioned event, engage in conduct to the prejudice of the image and integrity of tennis. Should such conduct occur, the Referee has the right to take action in accordance with this Code, or as is necessary.
2. Best Efforts
A player does not use his/her best efforts to complete and win a match.
3. Physical Abuse (Likely to be default)
A player physically abuses any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament or competition site. In addition, if approved by the Tournament or Competition Committee, the penalty may be SUSPENSION from the tournament or competition in which the player is competing for any period considered appropriate. For the purpose of this rule, physical abuse is the unauthorised touching of an official, opponent, spectator or other person.
4. Leaving the Court
A player leaves the court area during a match without the permission of the Umpire or Referee.
5. Commencement of Play
A player is not ready to commence play within ten (10) minutes of his/her match being called. The Referee shall designate the official timepiece.
6. Rest Period
Where the ten (10) minute rest period applies and a player is not ready to resume at the expiration of such period.
7. Dress and Equipment
A player does not dress and present himself/herself for play in approved tennis attire (see Tennis Australia Dress Regulation). Clean and customarily acceptable attire shall be worn at all times during the match. A player must be given the opportunity to change his/her clothing in order to comply with the Dress Regulation (particularly before a match starts). At the discretion of the Referee/Chair Umpire a maximum period of 10 minutes may be allowed in order for a player to change attire. Should this not occur the Code will be applied. The Referee may require a player to change attire during a match, in particular where there is no Chair Umpire.
8. Unreasonable Delays
A player unreasonably delays a match.
A player shall commence the match after the expiration of the established warm-up period. Thereafter, play shall be continuous as provided in the Rules of Tennis. Delay on account of the natural loss of physical condition, injury or refusal to play shall constitute a violation of this section.
NB: Other delays e.g. between points and changing ends shall be dealt with as time violations.
9. Coaching
A player receives any type of coaching from any person while a match is in progress, except where special provision is made for an event.
Coaching shall be permitted where there is a ten (10) minute break between sets or during interruptions to play caused by bad weather or light, where players leave the court. Coaching is not permitted whilst a court is being serviced at the end of or during a set and players are still on court.
10. Spectators
Where a match is disrupted or interfered with by the action of spectators known to one of the players. e.g. coach, parents, family or friends, the referee or chair umpire may only utilise the first step of the Code of Conduct (warning) against the player to ensure that any disruption is controlled. Any further action, either during or after the match, would be determined by the tournament/pennant committee of the player concerned. Further action would be related to the spectator and not the individual player.
11. Verbal Abuse
A player, during any tournament or competition, verbally abuses any official, opponent, spectator or other person. For the purposes of this rule, verbal abuse is defined as a statement directed at an official, opponent, spectator or other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive.
12. Audible Obscenity
A player uses offensive or obscene language during any match, or within the precincts of the tournament site. For the purposes of this Rule, audible obscenity is defined as the use of words commonly known and understood to be profane and uttered clearly and loudly enough to be heard by the Chair Umpire, Referee, Spectators, Linespersons or Ballpersons.
13. Visible Obscenity
A player makes offensive or obscene gestures during any match, or within the precincts of the tournament site. For the purposes of this Rule, visible obscenity is defined as the making of signs by a player with his hands and/or racquet or balls that commonly have an obscene meaning or import to reasonable people.
14. Abuse of Equipment/Balls
A player violently or with anger hits, kicks or throws a tennis ball, racquet or other equipment, or in any way unreasonably interferes with any court fixtures and equipment. For the purposes qf this Rule, abuse of balls is defined as intentionally hitting a ball out of the enclosure of the court, hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences. In addition, abuse of racquets or equipment is defined as destroying or damaging racquets or equipment or intentionally and violently hitting the net, court, umpire's chair or other fixture during a match out of anger or frustration.

TIME VIOLATIONS

Where a player takes longer than the prescribed time between points or at the change of ends, a time violation may be assessed. The first violation shall be penalised by a warning and each subsequent violation by a point penalty.
When a violation is a result of natural loss of physical condition, injury or refusal to play after being ordered to play by the Chair Umpire or Referee, a penalty shall be assessed in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

INJURY TIME

In the case of accidental injury, the Referee or Umpire may allow a one-time three minute suspension for that injury, with the option of extending this to not more than ten minutes at the discretion of the referee.