In tennis doubles, can the front-court player return the serve?

Question

Simple, is it against the rules? Does the back-court player HAVE TO serve to the opposing back-court player? Or can the front-court player step in and assist...?

Answer 1

No - front player can't return the serve - has to be the player standing in the cross court position (players have to receive alternately). That player can stand wherever they want though - doesn't have to be at the back (although that usually helps!)

Answer 2

Nope. If the net player touches a serve before the serve-receiving player does, they lose the point. The receiving player may stand as far up (or as far back) as they want.