Editing Tennis (section)

=== Continuity ===
A tennis match is intended to be continuous.<ref name=ITF>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/shared/medialibrary/pdf/original/IO_30333_original.PDF|title=The ITF states this in Rule No. 29|access-date=28 January 2008|archive-date=9 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909185621/http://www.itftennis.com/shared/medialibrary/pdf/original/IO_30333_original.PDF|url-status=dead}}</ref> Because stamina is a relevant factor, arbitrary delays are not permitted. In most cases, service is required to occur no more than 20 seconds after the end of the previous point.<ref name=ITF/> This is increased to 90 seconds when the players change ends (after every odd-numbered game), and a 2-minute break is permitted between sets.<ref name=ITF/> Other than this, breaks are permitted only when forced by events beyond the players' control, such as rain, damaged footwear, damaged racket, or the need to retrieve an errant ball. Should a player be deemed to be stalling repeatedly, the chair umpire may initially give a warning followed by subsequent penalties of "point", "game", and default of the match for the player who is consistently taking longer than the allowed time limit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/media/109832/109832.pdf|publisher=ITF|title=Code of Conduct for 2012 ITF Pro Circuits Tournaments|quote=The first violation of this Section shall be penalised by a Time Violation warning and each subsequent violation shall be penalised by the assessment of one Time Violation point penalty.|access-date=7 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501123728/http://www.itftennis.com/media/109832/109832.pdf|archive-date=1 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the event of a rain delay, darkness or other external conditions halting play, the match is resumed at a later time, with the same score as at the time of the delay, and each player at the same end of the court as when rain halted play, or as close to the same relative compass point if play is resumed on a different court.