Final answer:
In table tennis, if a server hides the ball from the opponent during the serve, the umpire will consider this a rule violation and award the point to the receiver.
Step-by-step explanation:
If during a table tennis serve a player hides the ball from their opponent, the umpire would likely consider it a violation of the rules. According to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rules, the server must throw the ball nearly vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16 cm after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck. Throughout this process, the ball must remain above the level of the playing surface and behind the server's end line, and it should not be hidden from the opponent at any time when being projected or struck. If the umpire determines that the ball was hidden, the server's action would result in the award of the point to the receiver.