Tennis Rules Explained in English: A Complete Guide for Beginners and Fans

Welcome to the ultimate guide to understanding tennis rules in English! Whether you're a new player picking up a racket for the first time, a fan wanting to deepen your appreciation of the sport, or someone seeking clear English explanations, this article will serve as your comprehensive resource. We'll break down the essential rules, scoring, and court setup in an easy-to-follow manner.

1. The Foundation: Court and Equipment A standard tennis court is a rectangle, 78 feet (23.77 meters) long. For singles matches, the court is 27 feet (8.23 meters) wide, and for doubles, it's 36 feet (10.97 meters) wide. The court is divided by a net (3 feet high at the center). Key lines include the baselines (back), service lines, and the center service line, which creates the two service boxes. Players use a strung racket to hit a felt-covered rubber ball over the net.

2. Starting the Game: The Serve Every point begins with a serve. The server must stand behind the baseline, between the center mark and the sideline. They must hit the ball into the diagonally opposite service box on the other side of the net. Each player gets two attempts for a successful serve. A "fault" occurs if the ball misses the service box or hits the net. Two consecutive faults result in a "double fault," and the point is awarded to the opponent.

3. Understanding the Unique Scoring System Tennis scoring can seem unusual at first. Points progress as follows: Love (0), 15, 30, 40, Game. If both players reach 40, it's called "Deuce." From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to secure the game: the first point is "Advantage," and the next point wins the game. To win a set, a player must win at least 6 games and be ahead by at least 2 games (e.g., 6-4). If the set reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is usually played (first to 7 points, lead by 2). Matches are typically best of 3 or 5 sets.

4. Basic Rules of Play After a successful serve, players rally by hitting the ball back and forth over the net. The ball must land within the boundaries of the court (including the lines). A player loses the point if:

• The ball bounces twice on their side.
• They hit the ball into the net or outside the court.
• They touch the net or the ball with their body/clothing.
• The ball touches them before it crosses the net.
• They hit the ball before it crosses the net (a "volley" is only allowed after the ball has passed the net).

5. Key Terminology and Etiquette Knowing common terms enhances your understanding: Ace (unreturnable serve), Let (a serve that touches the net but lands in the service box, replayed), Groundstroke (forehand or backhand after a bounce), Volley (hitting the ball before it bounces). Tennis also values etiquette: players call their own lines in casual play, avoid distracting opponents, and retrieve balls for servers.

Mastering these fundamental tennis rules unlocks the beauty and strategy of the game. With this basic tennis rules guide in English, you're now equipped to step onto the court with confidence or enjoy watching matches with a deeper insight into how to play tennis. Grab your racket and enjoy the game!