Friend at Court - Intercollegiate Tennis Association

It means that a serve that touches the net, strap or band, is in play.
(This alternative is commonly known as the “no let rule.”)
USTA Comment IV.4: If the previous set did not go to a Tiebreak, under
Rule 14 the order of service continues. If the previous set went to a
Tiebreak, under Rule 5 the player or team that was scheduled to serve first
in the Tiebreak receives first in the 10-Point Match Tiebreak.
USTA Comment IV.5: USTA Regulation I.E.1.b. authorizes the 10-
Point Match Tiebreak in lieu of a deciding final set. USTA Regulation
III.G.2. explains when the Referee may switch the match format to a Match
Tiebreak in lieu of a deciding final set.
Table 18 lists the Junior National Championships in which the 10-Point
Match Tiebreak is played in lieu of a deciding final set. If there is inclement
weather, health concerns, or safety concerns, the Director of Junior
Competition or the Director’s Designee may authorize the Referee to play a
10-Point Match Tiebreak in lieu of a deciding final set at USTA Junior National
Championships and USTA Regional Tournaments. See USTA Regulation
VII.A.7.
USTA Regulation VII.B.2.h.. explains when 10-Point Match Tiebreaks
may be played in lieu of a deciding final set at USTA Adult and Senior National
Championships. USTA Regulation VII.C.3.h. explains when 10-Point Match
Tiebreaks may be played in lieu of a deciding final set at USTA Wheelchair
National Championships.
32 RULES OF TENNIS
APPENDIX V
ROLE OF COURT OFFICIALS
The referee is the final authority on all questions of tennis law and the referee’s
decision is final.
In matches where a chair umpire is assigned, the chair umpire is the final authority
on all questions of fact during the match.
The players have the right to call the referee to court if they disagree with a chair
umpire’s interpretation of tennis law.
In matches where line umpires and net umpires are assigned, they make all calls
(including foot-fault calls) relating to that line or net. The chair umpire has the right to
overrule a line umpire or a net umpire if the chair umpire is sure that a clear mistake
has been made. The chair umpire is responsible for calling any line (including footfaults)
or net where no line umpire or net umpire is assigned.
A line umpire who cannot make a call shall signal this immediately to the chair
umpire who shall make a decision. If the line umpire can not make a call, or if there is
no line umpire, and the chair umpire can not make a decision on a question of fact,
the point shall be replayed.
In team events where the referee is sitting on-court, the referee is also the final
authority on questions of fact.
Play may be stopped or suspended at any time the chair umpire decides it is
necessary or appropriate.
The referee may also stop or suspend play in the case of darkness, weather or