Brian Dimsho is a USTA certified official and the resident official of the Orange County Grand Prix.

by Mark

Q: In an unofficiated USTA League doubles match a member of the opposing team who had finished his match on an adjacent court sat on our bench to watch his teammates play us. Somewhat distracted but unsure of what to do, my partner and I said nothing at first but after a game or two I asked him to move, especially since he was sitting right where I had all my gear. He moved a foot or two but stayed on our bench. Annoyed, we told him to get off our bench. Only then did our opponents tell him to come over to their side of the court, where he occupied a chair for the remainder of the match. Is anyone besides the players involved or an official allowed to be on any part of the court during a match?

A: Mark In most cases no one other than the players, a Coach(s)(during a Collage match) and the official(s)should be on the court of play during a match in progress. A Trainer can be on the court during an injury time out. Brian