Tennis is one of the world’s most popular racket sports, played by millions across the globe, writes MatchPoint Competitions writer Joshua Foster.
What is tennis?
Whether it’s on grass, clay, or hard courts, the aim is simple: hit the ball over the net into your opponent’s court in a way they can’t return it.
Played as singles (one-on-one) or doubles (two-on-two), tennis combines physical skill, strategy, and endurance, making it a sport for life.
The basic rules of tennis
1. How a point starts
Every point begins with a serve.
The server must stand behind the baseline.
The serve is hit diagonally into the opposite service box.
The ball must land inside the correct box to be valid.
Players get two serves per point, a first serve and, if needed, a second serve.
If the ball hits the net but still lands in the correct service box, it’s called a let serve, and the serve is replayed.
2. Scoring system
Tennis uses a traditional point-based scoring system:
0 = Love
1st point = 15
2nd point = 30
3rd point = 40
4th point = Game (must lead by two points)
If the score reaches 40–40, it’s called deuce. From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points, one to gain advantage, and one to win the game.
A set is won by the first player to win 6 games (with a 2-game lead). If the score reaches 6–6, a tiebreak is usually played to 7 points. A Match is typically best of 3 sets (women) or 5 sets (men in major tournaments).
3. Serving rules
The server must keep both feet behind the baseline until contact.
The ball must land in the diagonal service box.
Players alternate serving sides (right to left) each point.
In doubles, the server serves from behind the right-hand court and must hit diagonally to the opponent’s correct service box.
4. During play
Once the serve is successful, the rally begins. Players can hit:
Groundstrokes (after one bounce).
Volleys (in the air before the bounce).
Lobs, slices, and drop shots are all legal tactics.
The ball must land inside the lines of the opponent’s court. A shot landing on the line is considered in.
