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The ball hits a spare racket lying on the court. What happens?
A ball off a spare racket on your floor is live: play it. A let only if the racket moves dangerously. Keep the court clear.
A spare racket has been left against the back glass on your side. During a rally the ball bounces and touches it. What is the ruling?
A ball off a spare racket on your floor is live: play it. A let only if the racket moves dangerously. Keep the court clear.
Why
Since the 2026 rules, a ball in play that touches an object lying on the court, a spare racket, a towel, another ball, is still a good ball and the point goes on: you play it before it bounces again. A let is called only if the object moves in a way that could interfere with play or put someone at risk, such as a racket sliding across the floor.
The rest of the reasoning
That makes a cluttered court your problem, not theirs: an awkward deflection off your own bottle is simply a ball you have to deal with. Bags, bottles and spares go outside the door.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Nothing on the court except you, your partner and the ball in play. Bottles go by the door.
Intermediate
Keep the second ball in your pocket or by the door. One rolling loose on your side is now just an obstacle you have to play around.
Advanced
A ball rolling in from another court is different: something entering the court during the point is a let.
Common questions
A spare racket has been left against the back glass on your side. During a rally the ball bounces and touches it. What is the ruling?
Play on. The ball is still live. A ball off a spare racket on your floor is live: play it. A let only if the racket moves dangerously. Keep the court clear. Since the 2026 rules, a ball in play that touches an object lying on the court, a spare racket, a towel, another ball, is still a good ball and the point goes on: you play it before it bounces again. A let is called only if the object moves in a way that could interfere with play or put someone at risk, such as a racket sliding across the floor. That makes a cluttered court your problem, not theirs: an awkward deflection off your own bottle is simply a ball you have to deal with. Bags, bottles and spares go outside the door.
Why not let: an accidental hindrance; replay the point?
Not since 2026. An object lying still on the floor does not stop play; a let comes only if it moves in a way that could interfere or hurt someone.
What should a beginner do here?
Nothing on the court except you, your partner and the ball in play. Bottles go by the door.
How does this change for an advanced player?
A ball rolling in from another court is different: something entering the court during the point is a let.
What do the rules say?
A ball in play that hits an object lying on the ground of the opponents' court, such as another ball, is a correct return and play continues. Since 2026 a let is called only if that object moves in a way that could interfere with play or endanger the players.