What is a foot fault in tennis?

In tennis, a foot fault occurs when a player serves the ball and either one or both of their feet touch or cross over the baseline before striking the ball. According to the rules of the game, a player must have both feet behind the baseline until the ball is struck.

Here are some key points to know about foot faults in tennis:

1. Fault Call: If a player commits a foot fault, the chair umpire or the linesperson will call "foot fault" to indicate the violation.

2. Loss of Point: A foot fault results in a fault, which means the server must retake that particular serve. However, if it happens on a second serve, it will result in a double fault, resulting in a point for the receiving player.

3. Change in Ruling: In 2021, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) changed the ruling related to foot faults. Previously, any foot crossing or touching the baseline was considered a fault. However, now the rule defines a fault as the entire foot being beyond the imaginary extension of the baseline.

4. Keen Observance: Foot faults are mostly noted by the chair umpire or linespersons who stand beyond the baseline to get the best view of the server's feet during the serve.

5. Challenges: Some high-level tournaments use electronic line-calling systems, removing the need for foot fault calls by officials. However, players still have the right to challenge if they believe a foot fault has occurred.

6. Foot Fault Analysis: Modern tennis analysis technology, such as Hawk-Eye, can be used to study foot faults in detail, evaluating the server's foot positioning during serves.

It is important for players to pay attention to their footwork during the serve and ensure that they do not cross or touch the baseline before striking the ball, as foot faults can lead to penalties and potentially impact the outcome of a match.