Is there anything in the new rules against players from alternating serves during their service?

i.e., partner A1 serves (and they win the rally), then partner A2 serves the next rally, then player A1 serves the 3rd rally...

There is a statement that "each player shall serve until there is a handout or sideout", but the only penalty provided for is if you serve again after previously losing the rally during your serve.

Matt

mdhills

There is a statement that "each player shall serve until there is a handout or sideout",

This statement should answer your question.

Lynn

mdhills

There is a statement that "each player shall serve until there is a handout or sideout",

This statement should answer your question.

And if they don't?

Matt

If they tried to alternate, I would call a side out when the wrong partner went up to serve the same as I would as if one tried to serve twice. One partner cannot serve twice for a team, so how could they possibly alternate? The intent of the rule is that when each team comes in to serve, either partner can serve first, but there is nothing anywhere in the rules to lead anyone to think that the players could alternate.

I was toying with the wording just to see if I could make it flow. This is just to lend a hand, since it's a challenge, but it's actually fun and challenging to see if it can be written in a way that is accurate, AND that a non-expert can read and make sense.

Here's a start, in case anybody else wants to hack around with it:

"In the game of doubles, each member of a doubles team is entitled to at least one serving opportunity, (except for team serving first in each new game, which must 'side-out' - not 'hand-out' - upon losing its first rally). After this first side-out of the game, when each team is subsequently awarded the serve, either player on that team may serve first, and each team member has at least one chance to execute a legal serve. The first server on that team continues to serve, and points are scored by the serving team, on each rally won. Upon losing its first rally, a hand-out occurs to the other team member on the serving team, points are scored by the serving team on all rallies won, and on losing its second rally, a side-out occurs."