SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tennis-let-keeps-first-fault

You miss your first serve, then your second serve is a let. What serve is next?

Still your second serve. A let does not erase the earlier fault.

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  1. A fresh first serve
  2. Still your second serve ✔
  3. No serve, you lose the point

Why: A service let means only that one serve is taken again. It does not cancel a fault you already served, so you are still on your second serve.

Huh, didn't know that: It is different when a let is called during a rally, such as a stray ball rolling onto court. Then the whole point is replayed with a first serve.

The dad joke
My second serve hit the net cord and I got a let. My nerves did not get a let.
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References

Answer: Still your second serve. A service let means only that one serve is taken again. It does not cancel a fault you already served, so you are still on your second serve.

  1. ITF 2026 Rules of Tennis, Rule 22 The Let During a Service www.itftennis.com/media/7221/2026-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf
    a service let does not cancel a previous fault
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Test yourself in the game

Sports & FitnessWhat happens when a server misses both the first and second serve?Sports & FitnessUnder standard ITF rules, a serve clips the net and lands in the correct box. What happens?Sports & FitnessWhile serving, your foot touches the baseline before you hit the ball. What is it called?

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