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I have seen plenty of times a re-serve being awarded instead of giving the point to any of the team in both volleyball and I think tennis, too. (I'm not sure if it's still the same in tennis). I had always felt that a re-serve was an injustice.

What is the real logic behind it? Is it a fair thing?

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2 Answers

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@Matt has covered tennis so I will answer the Volleyball:

In volleyball the re-serve is allowed when there is outside(fan) interference, equipment failure, or some other event, that voids the volley. If the ball lands on the line then the point is awarded. If it lands outside the line then it is a side out. It is the referee's job to make the call. It used to be that an injury would not stop play but I think that has changed in High School play now.

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up vote 4 down vote

In Tennis, if the first serve is not legal a "fault" is declared. If the second serve is again illegal ("double fault"), the other player gets the point. If the ball hits the net cord during the serve, but is otherwise legal, a "let" is declared and the player serves again. There is no limit on the number of lets in a service.

Anyway, a second-serve cannot be an injustice or unfair, because both players adhere to the same rules; if only the player serving first could serve twice or similar, it will be as such, but since both players are allow 2nd-service attempts it is perfectly fair.

As to the logic behind it (in tennis at least), proper serves requires mastering of a difficult technique, and so giving players a 2nd attempt at this allows more margin for error. This may be why there is no such thing as a "2nd serve" in table tennis; there is no requirement to hit the opposite side of the court, so you can say service is easier.

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You got the question wrong. Isnt Re-serve awarded in situations where the umpire is un sure? Like when the ball hits the line partially, etc – Rohit Mar 23 '12 at 9:53
@Rohit - Not in tennis. – Chad Mar 23 '12 at 12:54
@Rohit: The umpire's decision is final, whatever they decide. Some matches have hawk eye available, and the player can challenge the decision a set number of times per set. – Matt Mar 23 '12 at 13:14

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