| Interested in taking up the game of tennis? The rules | | | | of the boundaries of the court, the player who hit that |
| of tennis are actually quite simple, but playing the game | | | | ball loses the point. If the ball hits the net during play but |
| can be complex! Listed below are the basic rules for | | | | lands in-bounds on the opposing player's side of the |
| playing tennis: | | | | court, the ball is still good and in play. A player loses the |
| 1. Players stand on opposing sides of the court. The | | | | point if he happens to touch the net, accidentally |
| player who hits the ball to start the game is called the | | | | manages to drop his racquet during a swing, the ball |
| server. The other player stands on the opposite side, | | | | bounces over the net, the ball hits a part of the |
| and diagonally across from the server and is called the | | | | surrounding area such as roofs or trees, he is hit by |
| receiver. | | | | the ball, or he tries to distract the opponent in any way. |
| 2. Which player serves first and which side of the | | | | 8. A 'let' is called during the point if there is a distraction |
| court they start on is decided by the toss of a coin. | | | | from someone besides the players on the court. Like a |
| 3. Singles tennis is one player against another. Doubles | | | | 'do-over'. |
| tennis is two players per side. In doubles tennis, the | | | | 9. A ball that lands on the line is still in play. |
| players alternate serving and hitting the ball, and one | | | | Basic rules for playing tennis - SCORING |
| player stands closer to the net than the other. | | | | The first point won by a player is called 15; the second |
| 4. The server stands in back of the baseline and | | | | is 30, the third is 40, and the 4th point won wins the |
| serves the ball when the receiver is ready. If the ball | | | | game. However, If both players have each won three |
| hits the net but remains in-bounds, the server is | | | | points, then the score is 'deuce'; and the next player to |
| allowed another serve. | | | | score a point then has 'advantage'. If the 'advantage' |
| 5. The receiver can stand anywhere but must let the | | | | player wins the next point, they win the game; if the |
| ball bounce in bounds prior to hitting. The ball cannot be | | | | other player wins the next point the score will be |
| hit before it bounces, or the server wins the point. | | | | counted as 'deuce' again, and this will be the case until |
| 6. The server must call the score prior to serving, | | | | one or the other player finally wins with two points |
| saying his score first. (see scoring, below). | | | | after the 'deuce' score is called. |
| 7. If the ball is hit into the net, or bounces on the outside | | | | |