Tennis

Tennis is played with strung racquets and a pressurised ball over a net, either one against one or two against two. Points build into games, games into sets and sets into a match, so a trailing player is never out of contention until the final point. Play continues until someone wins the required number of sets — there is no time limit.

group

PLAYERS

1 v 1 (singles) or 2 v 2 (doubles)

schedule

DURATION

Best of 3 or 5 sets, typically 1.5–3 hrs

stadium

PLAYING AREA

Hard, clay or grass court, 23.77 m × 8.23 m (10.97 m for doubles)

scoreboard

SCORING

15 · 30 · 40 · game, then sets

HOW IT IS PLAYED

Core Rules

Point scoring

Points run 15, 30, 40 and game. At 40-all the score is deuce, and a player must then win two consecutive points — advantage, then game — to close it out.

Games and sets

A set goes to the first player to six games with a two-game margin. At 6-all a tie-break to seven points, again with a two-point margin, decides the set. Matches are best of three sets, or best of five in men's Grand Slam play.

The serve

The server stands behind the baseline, alternating between the right and left halves each point, and must land the ball in the diagonally opposite service box. Two attempts are allowed; missing both is a double fault and loses the point.

Lets on serve

A serve clipping the net cord and still landing in the correct box is a let and is replayed, with no penalty. A let may be replayed any number of times.

Foot faults

Until the ball is struck the server may not touch the baseline or the court inside it, nor the imaginary extensions of the centre mark and sideline. A foot fault costs that serve.

The return and rally

The ball must be returned after no more than one bounce and must land inside the opponent's court, lines included. A ball may be volleyed out of the air on any shot except the return of serve.

Changing ends

Players change ends after the first game of a set and thereafter every two games, and at every six points during a tie-break. Ninety seconds are allowed at a changeover and 120 seconds between sets.

Serving rotation in doubles

Serving alternates between the two teams game by game and between partners within each team, so each player serves every fourth game. Receiving order is fixed at the start of each set and cannot be changed mid-set.

Losing the point

A player loses the point by letting the ball bounce twice, hitting it out or into the net, touching the net or the opponent's court while the ball is live, catching the ball, or being struck by it before it bounces.

WATCH OUT

Fouls & Penalties

errorDouble fault — both service attempts fail.
errorFoot fault on the service line or centre mark.
errorHindrance — deliberately distracting an opponent during a point.
errorTime violation for exceeding the 25-second shot clock between points.
errorCode violations for audible or visible obscenity, racquet abuse or unsportsmanlike conduct, escalating from warning to point penalty to game penalty to default.

WHO DECIDES

Match Officials

sportsChair umpire — calls the score, rules on lets and hindrance, and has final authority on court.
sportsLine umpires — call balls out on their lines where electronic calling is not used.
sportsElectronic line calling (Hawk-Eye Live) — automated in/out calls at most professional events.
sportsTournament referee — handles defaults, schedule and conditions of play.

GOVERNED BY ITF · ATP · WTA · AITA

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