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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: Is it legal to return the ball using the rackets edge, since it is not an approved surface as the normal rubber is?

- submitted by Justin Derringer on 31 March 97

A: The racket edge lacking approved covering notwithstanding, an otherwise good return made in this way is a perfectly good return. This is an exception to the normal rule, similar to the one which makes legal a return made with your racket hand below the wrist. If look closely, you will find that that part of your racket hand is not covered with an approved covering either.

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