| Working as a tennis coach I had the privilege of | | | | point. The second point will be announced as 15-15 if |
| teaching many beginners the rules and scoring of the | | | | the receiver or receiving team wins or 30-0 if the |
| game of tennis. However, as a beginner myself many | | | | server wins the first two points. This pattern continues |
| year ago, I benefited from the instruction of a very | | | | until either one player or team wins four points then a |
| well-qualified coach at the National Tennis Center in | | | | game is called. |
| Melbourne, (the venue for the annual Australian Open | | | | If the score gets to 40-40 where both team has won |
| Tennis Tournament). | | | | four points a 'deuce' is called by the umpire (or |
| This is what she taught me. To begin with one should | | | | whoever happens to be scoring). When this happens |
| thoroughly familiarize themselves with the dimensions | | | | play continues as normal until one side wins two points |
| of a tennis court; knowledge of the exact dimensions | | | | in a row; when this happens a 'game' is won. The next |
| is not a crucial requirement but it is a good idea to get | | | | point after the deuce will be announced as 'advantage' |
| a feel for the playing area that you will be using. | | | | to the winning side. If the opponent wins the next point |
| A tennis court is set out essentially for the playing of | | | | then the score will go back to deuce and play |
| two different games, that being singles and doubles. | | | | continues. |
| The easy way to differentiate the different playing | | | | Tennis is played in sets, either three or five depending |
| area is to remember that the tramlines, the strips of | | | | on the type of match. Five sets are usually only used |
| tennis court on either side of the main playing area, are | | | | for men's singles matches and three sets for women's |
| only ever used when one is playing the game of | | | | and doubles matches. The exception to this rule is |
| doubles. Occasionally one sees a tennis court where | | | | played at the Virginia Slim's Championships, the season |
| the tramlines are absent, such as in specialized | | | | ending tournament for women on the professional |
| exhibition courts; if you've ever seen one you'll be | | | | tennis circuit; here the final is played over five grueling |
| familiar with the exact dimensions of a singles court. | | | | sets. |
| Whether one is playing singles, two players, or doubles, | | | | Back to scoring, in a set the score continues until one |
| four players - two on either side of the court, there are | | | | side wins six games and therefore wins the set. The |
| a few important things to remember before a racquet | | | | exception to this rule is when the scoring reaches five |
| is even picked up and play starts. | | | | games all (5-5); if this happens the first side to reach |
| To begin with find the center mark along the baseline | | | | seven games to five (7-5) will win the set. If the play |
| of the court. This is where the serving action begins. | | | | reaches six games all (6-6) then a 'tie-breaker' is |
| The opponent or opponents on the other side of the | | | | played. The first side to reach seven points with a lead |
| court are advised to stand back behind the halfway | | | | of two will be announced as the winner of the set. |
| line of the court in order to return serve. In doubles, the | | | | Players change ends after every six points. If the |
| exception to this rule is when you are not receiving | | | | tie-breaker score reaches six all (6-6) then play |
| serve and will then take up a position near the net in | | | | continues until one side wins by a margin of two points. |
| order to volley any balls. | | | | In a three set game the winner is whoever wins two |
| When serving the player stands to the right of the | | | | sets first. In a five set game then the winner is the first |
| center line and begins the service action so the ball is | | | | to three sets. The exception is when each side wins a |
| delivered to the left hand forward box on the other | | | | set in a three set game or two sets each in a five set |
| side of the net. When the point is completed the | | | | game. Then an 'advantage' set is played where the |
| server moves to the left of the center line and serves | | | | player who reaches six games wins or whoever can |
| to the right forward box on the other side of the net. | | | | win by two games after five all (5-5) is declared. |
| A point is played out until: (a) the ball is hit out of | | | | An advantage set is not always played at club level |
| bounds, outside the lines, (b) the server serves two | | | | as it can extend a match for a very long time. At the |
| faults, that is two invalid serves or (c) the ball is missed | | | | club level, a tie-break set is often scored to break the |
| by one player and bounces twice without retrieval. | | | | deadlock and provide a winner. |
| The scoring of tennis employs a unique system. The | | | | Tennis is a great sport for players of all standards and |
| first point scored is called as 15, being either 15-0 | | | | even though the rules and scoring can seem |
| (fifteen love) where the server or serving team wins | | | | complicated at first, the beginner will soon pick up the |
| the point, or 0-15 (love fifteen) if the opponent wins the | | | | finer points and enjoy the course of play. |