APPENDIX K ITF RULES OF TENNIS BALL MARK INSPECTION PROCEDURES 8.  If a player erases the ball mark before the chair umpire has made a final  decision, they concede the call. 7.  In doubles the appealing player must make their appeal in such a way that  either play stops or the chair umpire stops play. If an appeal is made to the  chair umpire then they must first determine that the correct appeal procedure  was followed. If it was not correct or if it was late, then the chair umpire may  determine that the opposing team was deliberately hindered. 6.  In clay court tennis the chair umpire should not be too quick to announce the  score unless absolutely certain of the call. If in doubt, wait before calling the  score to determine whether a ball mark inspection is necessary. 5.  Once the chair umpire has identified and ruled on a ball mark, this decision is  final and not appealable. 4.  The original call or overrule will always stand if the line umpire and chair  umpire cannot determine the location of the mark or if the mark is unreadable. 3.  When the chair umpire has decided to make a ball mark inspection, they  should go down from the chair and make the inspection themselves. If  they do not know where the mark is, they can ask the line umpire for help in  locating the mark, but then the chair umpire shall inspect it. 2.  A ball mark inspection requested by a player (team) shall be allowed only if  the chair umpire cannot determine the call with certainty from their chair on  either a point-ending shot or when a player (team) stops playing the point  during a rally (returns are permitted but then the player must immediately  stop). 1.  Ball mark inspections can only be made on clay courts. 470 Decision:  The chair umpire must decide if the original “Out” call was a hindrance to  either player. If it was a hindrance, the point shall be replayed. If it was not  a hindrance, the player who hit the ball wins the point. Case 8:  A ball is blown back over the net and the player correctly reaches over the  net to try to play the ball. The opponent(s) hinders the player from doing  this. What is the correct decision? Decision: The chair umpire must decide if the hindrance was deliberate or  unintentional and either awards the point to the hindered player or order  the point to be replayed.