Can You Hit the Ball Twice in Tennis? Only by Accident, in One Swing

The word that decides it is "deliberately." The USTA Officiating Scenarios and Interpretations says a shot becomes illegal only when there is a definite and deliberate "second push," and that two hits during a single continuous swing are not a double hit.

Legal or not: the common double hit cases

What happened	Ruling	Rule
Ball hits your racket twice in one continuous swing	Legal, play on	ITF Rule 24f; USTA Scenarios M.1
You stop, then push the ball a second time on purpose	You lose the point	ITF Rule 24f
You deliberately carry or catch the ball on the racket	You lose the point	ITF Rule 24f
In doubles, both partners touch the ball	Your team loses the point	ITF Rule 24l
Partners' rackets clash, only one racket touches the ball	Legal	USTA Comment 24.1
Ball touches your hand, arm or body	You lose the point	ITF Rule 24i
You throw your racket at the ball	You lose the point	ITF Rule 24j; Rule 24 Case 6

Why an accidental double hit is allowed

The rules accept that a ball can touch the racket twice in one stroke. The USTA "What's the Call?" column on who calls double hits answered a player whose opponent claimed a double hit: if it was one continuous motion, without a second intentional swing or push, it is a legal shot even if the ball hit the racquet twice in that one swing.

An accidental double hit is not a hindrance either. Rule 26 Case 1 of the ITF Rules says an unintentional double hit does not hinder the opponent, so the opponent cannot ask to replay the point because of it.

Doubles: two players, one ball

In doubles the double hit rule has a second side. Rule 24l says a team loses the point if both players touch the ball when returning it. It does not matter that each player only touched it once.

Clashing rackets are different. USTA Comment 24.1 in the USTA 2026 Friend at Court says a clash of rackets does not make the return illegal unless it is clear that more than one racket touched the ball.

Who calls a double hit

In unofficiated play, you call your own double hits. USTA Code item 19 says a player must concede the point when that player deliberately carries or double hits a ball, and the opponent is not entitled to make the call. The principle of giving the opponent the benefit of any doubt applies.

So if your opponent shouts "double hit" after a scrappy volley, the call is yours. If you know you pushed the ball a second time on purpose, give up the point.

Related rules people mix up

• Ball hits your body. Unlike a racket double hit, any touch on your body or clothing loses the point, so see what happens if the ball hits you in tennis.
• Racket touches the net. Following through into the net while the ball is in play loses the point; the details are in what happens if you touch the net in tennis.
• Volleys. Hitting before the bounce is fine except on the return of serve, as covered in can you hit the ball before it bounces in tennis.

Pickleball is close, but not identical

The 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook (Rule 10.D) says the ball can be hit more than once, but the stroke must be continuous in a single direction by one player. A double hit that is not continuous and in a single direction is a fault, and so is a ball struck by both partners. For more differences, see does pickleball have the same rules as tennis.