Tennis is widely considered one of the most physically demanding sports in the world.

Over the years, tennis has produced numerous global legends, including Rod Laver, Martina Navratilova, Pete Sampras, Steffi Graf, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams.

The sport is highlighted by four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments each year: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. These tournaments deliver top-tier competition, complemented by various lower-level events that keep fans excited year-round. Below is an overview of tennis rules, gameplay, and the scoring systems that define this exhilarating racket sport.

1. Tennis Equipment

Tennis Ball: According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), a standard tennis ball weighs between 56-59.4 grams and has a diameter ranging from 6.54 to 6.86 centimeters. Tennis balls are typically yellow or white, with yellow being the most common.

Tennis Racket: A tennis racket's maximum length is 73.7 cm, and its maximum width is 31.7 cm. The racket consists of a frame with strong strings, usually made of nylon, arranged in a crisscross pattern. The player is required to hit the ball with the racket's stringed surface, known as the hitting surface.

2. How to Play Tennis

Tennis Serve and Rules:

A tennis match begins with a coin toss conducted by the umpire. The winner of the toss can choose to serve, receive, or select which side of the court to start on.

To serve, the player must stand behind the baseline on their side of the court, within the bounds of the center mark and sideline. The player then tosses the ball with their non-dominant hand and strikes it with their racket before it hits the ground. The ball must cross the net and land within the designated serving area on the opposite side of the court for a valid serve.

Each player has two chances to serve per point. If the ball hits the net or lands outside the designated serving area on the first try, it’s a service fault, and the server gets a second attempt. A foot fault occurs if the server steps on or over the baseline or sideline during the serve, which also results in a second serve.

If a player faults on both serves, it’s called a double fault, and the opponent wins the point. If the ball hits the net during the serve but lands in the correct area, this is called a let, and the server gets another attempt. The server must alternate the serve between the left and right sides of the court for each point. When a legal serve is delivered that the receiver cannot return, the server scores a point, which is referred to as an ace.

3. Scoring in Tennis

1. A tennis point begins with the server, who must deliver the ball to the receiver. After the serve, the two players engage in a rally, where they hit the ball back and forth, aiming to keep it within the boundaries of the court.

2. To win a point, a player must hit the ball before it bounces twice. The opponent earns the point if the ball bounces twice on the same side of the court. Players must allow the ball to pass over the net before they return it and are not allowed to step over the net to hit the ball.

3. After each game, the roles switch: the server becomes the receiver, and the receiver becomes the server.

4. In doubles, the receiving team decides who will receive the first serve, and then the two players on that team alternate receiving every subsequent point.

4. Tennis Shots

Here are some of the most common shots used in the game:

Forehand and Backhand

The forehand and backhand are the two most basic and frequently used shots in tennis. A forehand occurs when a right-handed player strikes the ball from the right side of their body, extending their right hand forward.

Drop Shot

A drop shot is a delicate where the player reduces the power of their hit, sending the ball just over the net and landing softly on the opponent’s side.

Smash

A smash is a powerful overhead shot, typically executed when the ball is high in the air, often following a lob. The player uses full force to hit the ball downwards, making it difficult for the opponent to reach. It’s a strong, decisive shot that can end a rally.

Slice

A slice is a shot where the player uses a side spin on the ball, making the racket face angle across the court. This technique slows down the rally and gives the ball a low, skimming trajectory.

5. Tennis Scoring System

A game is won by securing four points, with the score starting at 0-0, where zero is commonly called ‘love’. Points are scored as follows:

First point – 15

Second point – 30

Third point – 40

Fourth point – Game

6. How to Win a Tennis Match

Tennis matches are usually divided into sets, and to win a set, a player must secure six games while maintaining a two-game advantage. To win the match:

In a best-of-five sets match, a player/team must win three sets.

In a best-of-three sets match, a player/team must win two sets.

7. Sets in Tennis

Men's singles matches at Grand Slam tournaments follow a best-of-five sets format, while ATP Tour events use a best-of-three sets format.

In men's doubles, the match is typically best-of-three sets on the ATP Tour and in Grand Slams, except for Wimbledon, where it is best-of-five sets.

Women's singles and doubles events are always best-of-three sets on the WTA Tour and in Grand Slam tournaments.