| Sports today are not confined to being a source of | | | | Rules cover all aspects of tennis such as the |
| entertainment or recreation. They have assumed a | | | | dimension of the court, permanent fixtures, |
| wider dimension and have certainly achieved higher | | | | specifications of tennis balls, racquets, and the scoring |
| stature. Today every sport has a governing body | | | | system. There are rules that also govern the service |
| behind it, which regulates each and every aspect of | | | | methods, and the various kinds of faults. |
| the game. Tennis being a popular sport is no exception, | | | | Rules also pertain to behavior of the tennis players on |
| and has its own individual set of rules governing it. | | | | and off the court. There are separate rules pertaining |
| Tennis rules were first adopted on 1 January 1924. The | | | | to a singles and doubles game. Rules may also differ |
| onus for making rules and regulations for tennis lies | | | | slightly from one tournament to another. There are |
| with the International Tennis Federation. It is assisted by | | | | several rulebooks that provide details of the numerous |
| a Rules of Tennis Committee, which periodically | | | | technicalities of the game to the players, officials and |
| monitors rules and make necessary recommendations | | | | the spectators. Apart from the game, tennis rules also |
| for any change, if required. Recommended changes in | | | | include anti-doping laws to prevent players from taking |
| rules can be on a permanent basis or for a limited trial | | | | banned substances. |
| duration. The board of directors consider | | | | The rules are aimed at maintaining the integrity in the |
| recommendations and pass it on to the general | | | | game and to ensure that the game is played in a fair |
| meeting of the International Tennis Federation for its | | | | and judicious manner. A match referee and two |
| perusal. The rules are put into action only after the | | | | linesmen are appointed to implement these rules while |
| members of the general meeting arrive at a | | | | a game is in progress. If the rules are judiciously |
| consensus. | | | | followed, the game can be enjoyed to the fullest. |