ITF

not be played on any other surface type except by mutual agreement between the two Nations competing in the Tie and subject to the approval of the ITF. If the Home Nation under normal conditions as determined by the Referee is unable to provide a playable match court at the scheduled starting time, or at any point during the Tie, the Referee shall in his absolute discretion, have the power to call off the match and/or Tie. In such circumstances the Home Nation shall be deemed forfeited the match and/or the Tie and the Visiting Nation shall be declared the winner of the Tie. However, prior to making the decision to forfeit the Tie, the Referee must use best efforts to obtain the approval of the Executive Director or his designee. The Referee may also extend the starting time if, in his/her opinion, the match court could satisfactorily be made playable within a reasonable time. For all Ties in World Group, World Group II and Zone Group the court surface shall be of a type used in a Grand Slam Tournament or in a minimum of three Tournaments in the WTA Tour held in the year previous to the Tie. Note 1: For the purpose of this Regulation 'normal conditions' means climate conditions that are acceptable for play but where the match court, due to the fault of the Home Nation and/or court supplier and/or court installer, is unplayable in the opinion of the Referee. Rain or other unavoidable hindrance would not constitute a reason for the Referee to call off a match and/or a Tie and award the victory to the Visiting Nation. Note 2: In the event that it is proposed to play a Tie on any court surface laid on a temporary basis, the Home Nation must notify the Visiting Nation and the ITF of such proposal no later than seven days after the date set for submission of the questionnaire (see regulation 25). Such notification must include the name of the individual or company that it is proposed would install the temporary surface and provide sufficient detail as to the proposed surface type, its components and the method of its installation and construction. The ITF shall confirm in writing to the Home Nation whether the Tie may be played on the proposed temporary surface and/or whether the proposed installer is authorised to install such surface. Notwithstanding the provisions of "article 17 of the Fed Cup Regulations", where the ITF refuses to grant a Home Nation permission to install the proposed temporary surface and/or use a proposed installer, the Home Nation and/or the proposed installer may appeal such decision to the Fed Cup Committee, whose decision shall be communicated to the parties in writing and be final and binding. Note 3: In case an event is to be played on a carpet, the Home Nation must inform the Visiting Nation and the ITF about the type of 17

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