Table Tennis Ball - Damage during rally

by Alex
(South Australia)

If a table tennis ball is damaged during a rally, does that constitute a let or is the winner of the rally entitled to claim the point?





----- Martin's Reply -----




Alex,

Thanks for your question.

This situation would be covered by Rule 2.09.

Rule 2.09 states that "play may be interrupted because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could affect the outcome of the rally".

So, if the ball is damaged during a rally, and it is evident before the end of the rally, a let would be called.

However, if the damage was only evident after the rally had finished, the outcome of the rally would usually stand.