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Paul Kovac	See if you can Stump the Ump... E-mail questions to Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire. Please note: Questions which have answers that are easily found by consulting the rules may not merit a reply.

Q: My opponent's racket had many missing pimples and many half broken in its playing zone. My objection during match was sustained. Was I right? Is the racket legal?

- submitted by Aditya Mihir

A: Pimples must be evenly distributed over its surface at a density of not less than 10 per sq. cm and not more than 30 per sq. cm. This is what the rule says. How many missing pimples will make a racket illegal will be the umpire's call. If he/she feels that the damage would affect the play and put the opponent at a disadvantage the umpire will bring this to the referee's attention, who will make the final ruling as to the legality of the racket. Players with pips-up rackets have to be very careful, however, because the word "evenly" in the rule, makes technically every racket illegal when even one single pimple is missing.

- answered by Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire