Introduction to Tennis
Tennis is a sport that is widely popular around the world. It is a sport that is enjoyed by both professional players and recreational players alike. The game is played with a racquet and ball, and the aim of the game is to hit the ball over the net into the opponent’s court. Tennis is played either in singles or doubles, with each player having their own court. The game can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, making it a great game for the whole family.
Rules of Tennis
Tennis is a great game to play, but in order to ensure that everyone is playing by the same rules, there are a few basic rules of tennis that must be followed. These rules apply to both singles and doubles matches, and are designed to ensure that the game is fair and enjoyable for all players.
Scoring
The scoring system in tennis is quite simple. Each point won is marked by the player or team that won it, and the first player or team to reach four points wins the game. Points are awarded in the following order:
- 15
- 30
- 40
- Game
If both players or teams reach 40 points in a game, it is known as deuce. The player who wins two consecutive points from deuce wins the game.
Serving
In singles, the player who is serving must stand behind the baseline to serve the ball. The player must serve the ball from the right side of the court for the first point, and then alternate serving from the left and right side of the court for each subsequent point.
In doubles, one player from each team serves alternately from the right and left side of the court. The players must also stand behind the baseline when serving.
Receiving
The receiving player must stand inside the court when receiving the serve. If the receiving player stands outside the court when receiving the serve, the point will be awarded to the server.
Faults
If a player commits a fault while serving, the point is awarded to the receiver. Faults include:
- Serving the ball out of bounds
- Serving the ball before the receiver is ready
- Serving the ball into the net
Lets
A let is when the ball touches the net cord but still goes over the net and into the opponent’s court. In this case, the point is replayed and no point is awarded.
Doubles Play
In doubles play, both players on a team must hit the ball when returning it over the net. If only one player hits the ball, the point is awarded to the other team.
Foot Faults
A foot fault is when a player steps over the baseline when serving the ball. This is an illegal move, and the point will be awarded to the other team.
The Tie-Break
If the score in a set is 6-6, a tie-break will be played to determine the winner. The tie-break is played to 7 points, and the winner is the first player or team to reach 7 points with a two-point lead.
Point Penalties
If a player commits a fault or displays unsportsmanlike behavior, they may be given a point penalty. In this case, the point is awarded to the other team.
Conclusion
The rules of tennis are designed to ensure that everyone is playing by the same guidelines and that the game is fair and enjoyable for all players. Whether you are playing singles or doubles, following these basic rules will help to make sure that the game is played in the correct manner.