Match Objective
Tennis players use rackets to hit a tennis ball over a net in an effort to score points. Points are scored when the tennis ball drops within the boundary of the opposing court and cannot be returned by the opposing player. The first player to win four points wins the game. A game must be won by a margin of two points. When a player wins at least six games by two or more games, he or she wins a “set.” The men’s game winner requires the best of five sets. The women’s game winner requires the best of three sets.
The Match
Players compete as “singles,” one against one, or as “doubles,” two against two. In singles play, the court sideline is narrower, and players must hit the ball inside the singles sidelines in order to score points. In doubles play, the court sideline is wider. In either format players alternate “serving” between games. After the first, third, and subsequent odd-numbered games, they change sides on the [...]
The Court
A tennis court is where the game of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both singles and doubles matches. The court is 78 feet long, 39 feet on a side. Its width is 27 feet for singles matches and 36 feet for doubles matches. The service [...]
Raquet and Ball
Power Racquets - feature oversize to super-oversize heads, are lightweight, longer, stiffer, and are balanced head-heavy or evenly to retain enough weight in the hitting zone. These are designed for players with shorter, slower swings who want more zing and pop. Control Racquets - used by professional and more advanced players. These models are typically heavier in weight, have smaller heads, thinner, more flexible beams, [...]
Strokes
Two basic strokes exist in tennis: the “forehand” and “backhand.” However, there are a wide variety of different shots within these two strokes players use when striking the ball. Forehand - Used by players when the ball is hit to their dominant hand side. To perform the forehand properly, a player turns sideways to the net, takes a backswing, and then steps forward to hit [...]
Coach, Trainer, and Practice Partner
A tennis coach is very critical to a tennis player’s development. The coach drills and works with the player to improve the basic tennis shots, such as the forehand and backhand, and to develop the shots that are difficult for the opponent to return, such as adding topspin and maintaining effective shots during volleys. Coaches also help players to develop speed, agility, and lateral movements [...]
Officials
An official is a person who ensures that a match or tournament is conducted according to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Rules of Tennis and other competition regulations. At the highest levels of the sport, a team of up to ten officials may be on court at any given time. These officials are broken up into categories based on their responsibility during the match. Chair [...]
Scoring
The first point scored by each side in a game is called “15.” (When a side has no points, its score is called “love,” not zero). After 15, the point scored is “30,” and if players tie here it is “30 all.” The third point is “40” – and when tied here, the score is called “deuce.” The fourth point scored to a side wins [...]
