QUESTION: We had a conflict about the kitchen. In doubles, Player A was in the kitchen when the opponent hit the ball. Player A got out of the kitchen and re-established himself before hitting the ball back. But the opponent said that is not allowed since Player A was in the kitchen when the opponent hit the ball even though Player A got out of the kitchen before returning the ball.
ANSWER: Your opponent is mistaken. It might help with understanding the rules for the non-volley zone (NVZ) if we don’t, for the time being, refer to it colloquially as ‘The Kitchen’. To answer your question, you are fine as long as you don’t volley a ball while touching any part of the NVZ or touch the NVZ due to your momentum after a volley, hence the name non-volley zone. From your description of the scenario, you did neither. You can stand in the NVZ at any time you want. You can even stand in the NVZ when your partner hits the ball (even if they are hitting a volley) or your opponent hits the ball. Just don’t touch any part of the NVZ or enter the NVZ due to your own volley. But you can be in the NVZ at any other time.
