What is Tennis?
Tennis is a racquet sport that can be played between two players (singles) or between two teams of two players (doubles). The sport is played on a rectangular court with a net in the middle, divided in half by the center line. The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court in such a way that the opponent is not able to return it.
How is a Winner Decided in Tennis?
In tennis, the winner is determined by the best of three or five sets, depending on the type of tournament. Each set is played to a predetermined number of games, usually six (in a best-of-three sets match) or twelve (in a best-of-five sets match). A player wins a set by winning a majority of the games. The match is won by the first player to win a majority of the sets.
The Scoring System
In tennis, points are scored in a manner similar to other racquet sports. The player who serves the ball starts the point. A point is won by the player who is able to hit the ball over the net into their opponent’s court and the opponent is not able to return it. Points are awarded as follows:
- Love – 0 points
- 15 – 1 point
- 30 – 2 points
- 40 – 3 points
- Game – 4 points
A player must win four points to win a game. The first player to win four points wins the game. If the score reaches 40-40, this is referred to as “deuce” and a player must win two consecutive points to win the game.
The Tiebreaker
If the score of a set reaches 6-6, a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner of the set. The tiebreaker is a special game played to a score of 7 points, with the winner of the tiebreaker winning the set. In the tiebreaker, players alternate serves every two points. The first player to win 7 points, with at least a two point margin, wins the set.
The Match Tiebreaker
In some tournaments, a match tiebreaker can be played if the match score reaches one set all. A match tiebreaker is played instead of a third set, and is played to 10 points. The first player to win 10 points, with at least a two point margin, wins the match tiebreaker and the match.
Advantage Sets
In some tournaments, advantage sets are used instead of tiebreakers. An advantage set is similar to a tiebreaker, but it is played until one player has a two point lead. The first player to reach this point wins the set. If the score reaches 6-6, a tiebreaker is then played to determine the winner of the set.
The Match
A match is won by the first player to win a majority of the sets. In a best-of-three sets match, the player who wins two sets wins the match. In a best-of-five sets match, the player who wins three sets wins the match.
Super Tiebreakers
In some tournaments, a special “super tiebreaker” can be played instead of a full third set. The super tiebreaker is a special game played to 10 points, with the winner of the tiebreaker winning the match.
Deciding Sets
In some tournaments, a deciding set is used instead of a full third set. A deciding set is a full set, usually played to six games. The first player to win six games wins the match.
Summary
In tennis, the winner is determined by the best of three or five sets, depending on the tournament. Each set is played to a predetermined number of games, usually six or twelve. A player wins a set by winning a majority of the games. The match is won by the first player to win a majority of the sets. If the score of a set reaches 6-6, a tiebreaker or advantage set is used to determine the winner of the set. In some tournaments, a match tiebreaker or super tiebreaker can be used instead of a full third set.
Tennis is a sport that requires skill, strategy, and endurance. The player who is able to combine these skills and outplay their opponent is the one who will ultimately come out the winner.