Tennis, a sport enjoyed by millions worldwide, is a game of skill, strategy, and precision.

While it might complex at first glance, the core rules are straightforward. Let's break down the basics.

Court Dimensions

A tennis court is a rectangle that measures 78 feet (23.77 meters) in length. For singles matches, the court is 27 feet (8.23 meters) wide, while doubles matches use a wider court that is 36 feet (10.97 meters) wide. The court is split in half by a net that stands 3.5 feet (1.07 meters) high in the middle.

Scoring System

The way points are scored in tennis is unique:

Points: Points are counted like this:

◦ 0 points = Love(zero)

◦ 1 point = 15

◦ 2 points = 30

◦ 3 points = 40

◦ 4 points = Game (To win the game, a player must win a total of four points. However, they must have at least a two-point lead over their opponent.)

Deuce: If both players reach 40 points, it's called "deuce." From deuce, a player must win two points in a row to win the game. The first point won after deuce is called "advantage."

Games and Sets: To win a game, a player needs to win four points and be ahead by at least two points. Winning six games makes up a set, but the player must also be ahead by at least two games. Matches can be played as the best of three or five sets.

Serving Rules

The game starts with one player serving the ball from behind the baseline. The serve must land in the correct service box on the other side of the net.

Players take turns serving for each game. A player gets two chances to serve the ball into the correct area; if they miss both, it's called a "double fault," and the point goes to the opponent.

Gameplay Rules

Players must hit the ball over the net and into the opponent's side of the court. The ball can bounce once before it has to be returned. If it bounces twice, the point goes to the opponent.

Players can't touch the net or use any part of their body other than the racket to hit the ball. If the ball is hit out of bounds or into the net, the point is lost.

A "let" happens when the serve hits the net but still lands in the right service box. In this case, the serve is replayed.

Match Officials

Tennis matches are managed by officials, including a chair umpire and line judges. The chair umpire makes final decisions and oversees the match, while line judges call whether the balls land in or out of bounds. Players must respect these decisions and cannot argue with the calls made by the officials.

Conclusion

The rules of tennis help create a fair and competitive game. Knowing these basic rules makes the game more enjoyable, whether you're playing or watching.