Change Doubt to Conflict

2026 Rule:

8.H. Partner Disagreement (Doubles). When partners disagree on a line call, then conflict exists, and the team's call will be “in.”

6.C.8. In doubles play, if one player calls the ball “out” and the partner calls it “in,” then conflictdoubt exists and the team’s call will be “in.” Any player may appeal the team’s call to the  referee or defer a line call to their opponent up until the next serve occurs. If the referee or opponent did not see the ball, the ball is considered in.

6.C.8. In doubles play, if one player calls the ball “out” and the partner calls it “in,” then doubt exists and the team’s call will be “in.” Any player may appeal the team’s call to the  referee or defer a line call to their opponent up until the next serve occurs. If the referee or opponent did not see the ball, the ball is considered in.

Even though the first phrase clearly states that 'doubt' exists only when both players have made a call, the word 'doubt' has created confusion because some people interpret that to also cover when one player did not see the ball clearly.  Using 'conflict' helps reinforce that there must be two actual calls that conflict.

When conflicting line calls are made by a doubles team.