Brian Dimsho is a USTA certified official and the resident official of the Orange County Grand Prix.

by Darrel

Q: Is it against the rules to have a water bottle by the back of the court and take a drink between points as long as you are not delaying play?

A: No, there is no rule that prohibits that. But the bottle should be kept off to the side at the back of the court so not to distract your opponet(s). And in 2004 there is now only 20 seconds between points not 25 seconds that existed in prior years, so if you delay to long a time violation would be issued