Medical Time-Out
A Medical Time-Out is allowed by the ITF Supervisor/Referee or Chair
Umpire when the Sports Physiotherapist has evaluated the player and has
determined that additional time for medical treatment is required. The
Medical Time-Out takes place during a change over or set break, unless the
Sports Physiotherapist determines that the player has developed an acute
medical condition that requires immediate medical treatment.
The Medical Time-Out begins when the Sports Physiotherapist is ready to
start treatment. At the discretion of the Sports Physiotherapist, treatment
during a Medical Time-Out may take place off-court and may proceed in
conjunction with the Tournament Doctor. *
The Medical Time-Out is limited to three (3) minutes of treatment. However,
at all non-professional tournaments and also at professional events with prize
money of $30,000 or less (M15, M25, W15, W35), the ITF
Supervisor/Referee may extend the time allowed for treatment if necessary.
A player is allowed one (1) Medical Time-Out for each distinct treatable
medical condition. All clinical manifestations of heat illness shall be
considered as one (1) treatable medical condition. All treatable
musculoskeletal injuries that manifest as part of a kinetic chain continuum
shall be considered as one (1) treatable medical condition.
Muscle Cramping: A player may receive treatment for muscle cramping only
during the time allotted for change of ends and/or set breaks. Players may not
receive a Medical Time-Out for muscle cramping.
In cases where there is doubt about whether the player suffers from an acute
medical condition, non-acute medical condition inclusive of muscle
cramping, or non-treatable medical condition, the decision of the Sports
Physiotherapist, in conjunction with the Tournament Doctor, if appropriate, is
final. If the Sports Physiotherapist believes that the player has heat illness,
and if muscle cramping is one of the manifestations of heat illness, then the
muscle cramping may only be treated as part of the recommended treatment
by the Sports Physiotherapist for the heat illness condition.
Note:
A player who has stopped play by claiming an acute medical condition but is
determined by the Sports Physiotherapist and/or Tournament Doctor to have
muscle cramping shall be ordered by the Chair Umpire to resume play
immediately.
If the player cannot continue playing due to severe muscle cramping, as
determined by the Sports Physiotherapist and/or Tournament Doctor, he/she
may forfeit the point(s)/game(s) needed to get to a change of ends or set-
break in order to receive treatment. There may be a total of two (2) full
21change of ends treatments for muscle cramping in a match, not necessarily
consecutive.
If it is determined by the Chair Umpire or ITF Supervisor/Referee that
gamesmanship was involved, then a Code Violation for Unsportsmanlike
Conduct may be issued.
A maximum of two (2) consecutive Medical Time-Outs may be allowed by
the ITF Supervisor/Referee or Chair Umpire for the special circumstance in
which the Sports Physiotherapist determines that the player has developed at
least two (2) distinct acute and treatable medical conditions. This may
include: a medical illness in conjunction with a musculoskeletal injury; two
or more acute and distinct musculoskeletal injuries. In such cases, the Sports
Physiotherapist will perform a medical evaluation for the two or more
treatable medical conditions during a single evaluation and may then
determine that two consecutive Medical Time-Outs are required.
d. Medical Treatment
A player may receive on-court medical treatment and/or supplies from the
Sports Physiotherapist and/or Tournament Doctor during any changeover or
set break. As a guideline, such medical treatment should be limited to two
(2) changeovers/set breaks for each treatable medical condition, before or
after a Medical Time-Out, and need not be consecutive. Players may not
receive medical treatment for non-treatable medical conditions.