Rules about external noise and suspending play

Aaron Lin Asked 1 week ago

What happens in a match if external noise, such as bad weather/thunder or other noise (not generated from a person) affects play? Can taking extra time to wait for it to go, or pause the match be called?

I was watching that match Yangzi vs Chunli you commentated today at the Oceania cup day 1 in Melbourne and the rain sound was really bad (loud) even from the youtube livestream. 

Also, was the roof of the venue steel or what, it was really loud for a moment.

Alois Rosario Answered 5 days ago

Hi Aaron,

External noise can be a significant issue in table tennis, especially in large venues or during adverse weather conditions, as was the case during the Oceania Cup in Melbourne.

Well I was lucky enough to be able to go to the source, the Referee for the event, Graeme Ireland and this is his reply:
I was actually considering briefly suspending play as the referee has the power to suspend play “in an emergency”. Whilst not really an emergency, the implication is that the referee can suspend play for a valid reason – e.g. if the lights go out it is not an “emergency” but obviously play would be suspended. Also, the umpire could have called a let in terms of 2.9.2.4 as conditions of play were certainly disturbed in a way which could have affected the outcome of the rally. If that had happened, I would have supported their decision and suggested they wait a short while before resuming play.

Graeme is a long time friend of the site and always double checks my answers on the Rules 😊.

Thanks for tuning in to the livestream, and I hope this clears up your query about how external noise is managed in table tennis matches.