2023 Toilet Break Summary

Grand Slam Women's Matches &

Questions Davis Cup Billie Jean King Cup Grand Slams Men's Matches ATP WTA
Mixed Doubles

When can a player leave the court for

Should be taken on a set break Should be taken on a set break Must be taken on a set break At a set break or before their own serve Must be taken on a set break At a set break or before their own serve
an authorised toilet break?

Anytime a player leaves the court for a

Anytime a player leaves the court for a
toilet break/change of attire break. Any
When is an authorised toilet break
toilet break/change of attire break taken
counted?
after the warm up has started is
considered one of the authorised breaks
A break is counted as authorised only when
toilet break/change of attire break. A player can only leave the court for her 1 A break is counted as authorised only when taken on A player can only leave the court for her 1 authorised
taken on a set break. A toilet break taken during
Any toilet break/change of attire break authorised toilet break during a set break or a set break. A toilet break taken during the set is toilet break during a set break or before her own
the set is considered as 'additional', the player
taken after the warm up has started is before her own serve. Toilet breaks taken during considered as 'additional', the player will be on their serve. Toilet breaks taken during the warm up count
will be on their own time and will also lose an
considered one of the authorised the warm up count as an authorised break own time and will also lose an authorised break as an authorised break
authorised break.
breaks

Must be taken on a set break. An additional 2 Must be taken on a set break. An additional 2 Must be taken on a set break. An additional 2 Must be taken on a set break. An additional 2
When can a player leave the court for a
Not Applicable Must be taken on a set break minutes will be allowed for change of attire minutes will be allowed for change of attire break minutes will be allowed for change of attire break off minutes will be allowed for change of attire break off
change of attire break?
break off court (maximum 5 minutes) off court (maximum 5 minutes) court (maximum 5 minutes) court (maximum 5 minutes)

1 break per match for 3 set matches, total of 2

1 break per match for 3 set matches, total of 2 breaks
breaks per match for 5 set matches. In a 5 set
per match for 5 set matches. In a 5 set match the
How many breaks are allowed in match the toilet breaks are split. 1st break has
1 break per match 1 break per match 1 break per match toilet breaks are split so 1 break is available upto the 1 break per match
singles? to be taken during the set break after the 1st or
end of the 3rd set, second toilet break is available
2nd set. The 2nd toilet break has to be taken
from the end of the 3rd set
during the set break after the 3rd or 4th set.
1 break per match for 3 set matches, total of 2
1 break per team for 3 set matches, total of 2 breaks
breaks per match for 5 set matches. In a 5 set
per team for 5 set matches. In a 5 set match the toilet
match the toilet breaks are split. 1st break has
How many breaks are allowed in Total of 2 breaks per team. If partners go Total of 2 breaks per team. If partners Total of 2 breaks per team. If partners go together breaks are split so 1 break is available upto the end of Total of 2 breaks per team. If partners go together this
to be taken during the set break after the 1st or
doubles? together this counts as 1 break. go together this counts as 1 break. this counts as 1 break. the 3rd set, second toilet break is available from the counts as 1 break.
2nd set. The 2nd toilet break has to be taken
end of the 3rd set. If partners go together it counts
during the set break after the 3rd or 4th set. If
as 1 break.
partners go together it counts as 1 break

Maximum of 3 minutes from the time the player
has entered the FACILITY (toilet) until they have
How long is allowed for an authorised
Reasonable Time Reasonable Time left the facility. This time includes hand washing,
break?
hair tieing etc. Reasonable time is allowed to
walk to and from the facility
Maximum of 3 minutes from the time the player
has entered the FACILITY (toilet) until they have
left the facility. This time includes hand washing,
hair tieing etc. Reasonable time is allowed to walk
to and from the facility
Maximum of 3 minutes from the time the player has
entered the FACILITY (toilet) until they have left the
facility. This time includes hand washing, hair tieing
etc. Reasonable time is allowed to walk to and from
the facility
Maximum of 3 minutes from the time the player has
entered the FACILITY (toilet) until they have left the
facility. This time includes hand washing, hair tieing
etc. Reasonable time is allowed to walk to and from
the facility

When needed, with approval of the Chair Umpire,

When needed, with approval of the Chair
When can a player take an additional
Umpire/Off court umpire/Referee but they
toilet break?
will be on their 'own time'
When needed, with approval of the When needed, with approval of the Chair Umpire, but
When needed, with approval of the Chair but the player will be on their 'own time'. In this When needed, with approval of the Chair Umpire, but
Chair Umpire/Off court the player will be on their 'own time'. In this case the
Umpire but they will be on their 'own time' and case the player will NOT lose their AUTHORISED they will be on their 'own time' and lose any
umpire/Referee but they will be on player will NOT lose their AUTHORISED BREAK if the
lose any authorised break they may still have. BREAK if the ADDITIONAL toilet break is taken authorised break they may still have.
their 'own time' ADDITIONAL toilet break is taken first.
first.

Penalty if late back to court for an
additional toilet break?
If player is on their "own time" and is
If player is on their "own time" and is late
late back to court they will be
back to court they will be penalised by the
penalised by the Point Penalty
Point Penalty Schedule ie: Back to Back
Schedule ie: Back to Back Code
Code Violations for Delay of Game
Violations for Delay of Game
If player is on their "own time" and exceeds
ALLOTTED TIME they will be penalised with back
to back Time Violations,warning then point
penalties (depending on whether a warning has
been previously issued or not) regardless of
whether serving or receiving from when the time
elapsed until they have left the facility.
If player is on their "own time" and exceeds
ALLOTTED TIME they will be penalised with back
to back Time Violations,warning then point
penalties (depending on whether a warning has
been previously issued or not) regardless of
whether serving or receiving from when the time
elapsed until they have left the facility.
If player is on their "own time" and exceeds
ALLOTTED TIME they will be penalised with back to
back Time Violations,warning then point penalties
(depending on whether a warning has been
previously issued or not) regardless of whether
serving or receiving from when the time elapsed until
they have left the facility.
If player is on their "own time" and exceeds
ALLOTTED TIME they will be penalised with back to
back Time Violations,warning then point penalties
(depending on whether a warning has been
previously issued or not) regardless of whether
serving or receiving from when the time elapsed until
they have left the facility.

Team captain can accompany player to the
What can happen on a toilet break?
locker room and coach during this time
A toilet break/change of attire is to be used A toilet break/change of attire is to be
for this purpose only
Additional Notes
Players can go back to the locker room for
the toilet/change of attire break
Team captain can accompany player
to the locker room and coach during
this time
used for this purpose only
Players can go back to the locker
room for the toilet/change of attire
break
No coaching allowed, no bags to be taken into
the cubicle
A toilet break/change of attire is to be used for
this purpose only
Players are required to use the nearest toilet as
determined by the Referee/Official
No coaching allowed, no bags (except small bag
No coaching allowed, no bags to be taken into the No coaching allowed, no bags (except small bag with
with santitary products) to be taken into the
cubicle santitary products) to be taken into the cubicle
cubicle
A toilet break/change of attire is to be used for A toilet break/change of attire is to be used for this A toilet break/change of attire is to be used for this
this purpose only purpose only purpose only
Players are required to use the nearest
Players are required to use the nearest toilet as Players are required to use the nearest DESIGNATED
DESIGNATED toilet as determined by the
determined by the Referee/Official toilet as determined by the Referee/Supervisor
Referee/Supervisor

GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ITF
A player should not take an MTO/Toilet break/Change of Attire consecutively unless approved by the Supervisor/Referee. ATP event's the Physio/Supervisor are consulted and a decision is made on a case by
What if a player requests a MTO + Toilet Break?
case scenario.

The player will be allowed to go to the toilet but will be on their 'own time' as it is an additional toilet
What if one player is receiving an MTO and their opponent asks to go for a break. The player should be told that they need to be back on court by the time play is ready to IF PLAYER IS LATE, PENALIZATION WILL BE BACK TO BACK TIME VIOLATION UNTIL PLAYER IS BACK ON COURT
second toilet break? restart ie: 30 secs after "Time" is called following completion of MTO. Otherwise the player will be AND READY FOR PLAY.
subject to back to back Code Violations for Delay of Game.

A player will be timed for the break between points/during changeover or during set break. They are
allowed the permitted time (25 secs, 90 secs, 120secs, TV changeover times) and anything over this IF PLAYER EXCEEDS ALLOTTED TIME, SHE/HE WILL BE PANELISED WITH BACK TO BACK TIME VIOLATION
How to time an additional toilet break ie 'on own time'
will be penalised with Code violations for Delay of Game. The time will be reset after each code and UNTIL PLAYER IS BACK ON COURT AND READY FOR PLAY.
continue until the player is back on court.

The player on their 'own time' needs to be either: Back on court before their opponent regardless of
What if one player is using their authorised break and their opponent also goes
time taken to avoid penalty OR Back on court before 25 secs/90 secs/120 secs have elapsed to
but is on their 'own time'?
avoid Code Violations for Delay of Game.
PLAYER NEEDS TO BE BACK ON COURT BEFORE THE OPPONENT, OR BEFORE THE ALLOTTED TIME EXCEEDS
OTHERWISE WILL BE PENALISED WITH BACK TO BACK TIME VIOLATIONS UNTIL PLAYER IS BACK ON COURT
AND READY FOR PLAY.

Can a player quickly change their shorts/skirt outside of the court during a The player is allowed to do this but will not receive any extra time. If they are not back ready to play within the changeover/set break time then they will be subject to a Time Violation followed by Code violations
changeover without using their authorised break? for Delay of Game

A player goes to the toilet and goes over the allowed 3 minutes. When they
arrive back on court the clay court is still being watered, what happens? The time violations will not be issued as the player has not delayed the start of play
(ATP/WTA/GS)
 2023 Toilet Break Summary: ITF Tours
Questions Juniors WTT WTT Men WTT Women Wheelchair Masters Beach Tennis
When can a player leave the court for an
Must be taken on a set break Should be taken on a set break Should be taken on a set break Preferably on a set break Should be taken on a set break TBC
authorised toilet break?

When is an authorised break counted?
When can a player leave the court for a change
of attire break?
How many breaks are allowed in singles?
How many breaks are allowed in doubles?
How long is allowed for an authorised toilet
break?
When can a player taken an additional toilet
break?
Anytime a player leaves the court for a toilet
break/change of attire break. Any toilet
break/change of attire break taken after the
warm up has started is considered one of
the authorised breaks
Girls Matches only MUST be taken on a set
break
1 break per match
Total of 2 breaks per team. If partners go
together this counts as 1 break.
Reasonable Time
When needed, with approval of the Chair
Umpire/Off court umpire/Referee but they
will be on their 'own time'
Anytime a player leaves the court for a Anytime a player leaves the court for a toilet Anytime a player leaves the court for a toilet Anytime a player leaves the court for a toilet
toilet break/change of attire break. Any break/change of attire break. Any toilet break/change of attire break. Any toilet break/change of attire break. Any toilet
toilet break/change of attire break taken break/change of attire break taken after the break/change of attire break taken after the warm break/change of attire break taken after the warm TBC
after the warm up has started is warm up has started is considered one of the up has started is considered one of the authorised up has started is considered one of the
considered one of the authorised breaks authorised breaks breaks authorised breaks
Not Applicable Must be taken on a set break Must be taken on a set break Must be taken on a set break TBC
1 break per match for 3 set matches 1 break per match 2 breaks per match 2 breaks for women and 1 break for men NA
Limited number of toilet/change of
1 break per team. If partners go together Total of 2 breaks per team. If partners go Total of 2 breaks per team. If partners go together Total of 2 breaks per team. If partners go together
attire breaks may be allowed if
this counts as 1 break together this counts as 1 break. this counts as 1 break. this counts as 1 break.
announced in advance of the event
Reasonable Time Reasonable Time Reasonable time Reasonable time TBC
When needed, but for the 3rd break they must be
approved by the Chair Umpire/Off court Umpire or
When needed, with approval of the Chair When needed, with approval of the Chair When needed, with approval of the Chair
Referee. If a player takes a 3rd break without
Umpire/Off court umpire/Referee but Umpire/Off court umpire/Referee but they will Umpire/Off court umpire/Referee but they will be TBC
permission they may be charged with 'leaving the
they will be on their 'own time' be on their 'own time' on their 'own time'
court without permission' under the Code of
Conduct.

If a player is taking an authorised or additional

Penalty if late back to court for an additional
toilet break?
If player is on their "own time" and is late
back to court they will be penalised by the
Point Penalty Schedule ie: Back to Back Code
Violations for Delay of Game
If player is on their "own time" and is late
back to court they will be penalised by
the Point Penalty Schedule ie: Back to
Back Code Violations for Delay of Game
If player is on their "own time" and is late
back to court they will be penalised by the
Point Penalty Schedule ie: Back to Back Code
Violations for Delay of Game
If player is on their "own time" and is late back to
toilet break during a set will be considered as
court they will be penalised by the Point Penalty
going on 'own time' and if late back to court will TBC
Schedule ie: Back to Back Code Violations for Delay
be penalised by the Point Penalty Schedule ie:
of Game
Back to Back Code Violations for Delay of Game

The ITF Supervisor/Referee has the power to The ITF Supervisor/Referee has the power to deny
deny permission for a player to leave the permission for a player to leave the court for a
ITF Supervisor Powers court for a toilet break/change of attire break toilet break/change of attire break if they believe
if they believe there is gamesmanship and/or there is gamesmanship and/or flagrant abuse of
flagrant abuse of the rules the rules

A toilet break/change of attire break must be

A toilet break/change of attire break is NOT
allowed before a match tie break
Additional Notes A toilet break/change of attire is to be used A toilet break/change of attire is to be
for this purpose only
Players are required to use the nearest toilet
as determined by the Referee/Official
used for this purpose only
Players are required to use the nearest
toilet as determined by the
Referee/Official
A toilet break/change of attire is to be used
for this purpose only
Players are required to use the nearest toilet
as determined by the Referee/Official
approved by the Chair umpire, if there is one, or
the opponent who cannot reasonably refuse the
request
A toilet break/change of attire is to be used for this A toilet break/change of attire is to be used for
purpose only this purpose only
Players are required to use the nearest toilet as Players are required to use the nearest toilet as
determined by the Referee/Official determined by the Referee/Official

GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What if a player requests a MTO + Toilet Break? A player should not take an MTO/Toilet break/Change of Attire consecutively unless approved by the Supervisor/Referee

What if one player is receiving an MTO and their opponent asks to go for a second The player will be allowed to go to the toilet but will be on their 'own time' as it is an additional toilet break. The player should be told that they need to be back on court by the time play is
toilet break? ready to restart ie: 30 secs after "Time" is called following completion of MTO. Otherwise the player will be subject to back to back Code Violations for Delay of Game.
A player will be timed for the break between points/during changeover or during set break. They are allowed the permitted time (25 secs, 90 secs, 120secs) and anything over this will be
How to time an additional toilet break ie 'on own time'
penalised with Code violations for Delay of Game. The time will be reset after each code and continue until the player is back on court.
What if one player is using their authorised break and their opponent also goes but is The player on their 'own time' needs to be either: Back on court before their opponent regardless of time taken to avoid penalty OR Back on court before 25 secs/90 secs/120 secs have
on their 'own time'? elapsed to avoid Code Violations for Delay of Game.

What if a player abuses the toilet rule eg: doesn’t use the toilet, just goes and fills up
A player is subject to penalty under the Code of Conduct for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
their water bottle?