Tennis Rules Explained in Simple English: A Quick & Clear Guide
Welcome to the world of tennis! Understanding the tennis rules is the first step to enjoying this exciting sport, whether you're playing or watching. This guide provides a straightforward English introduction to the fundamentals, helping you grasp the game quickly.
1. The Court and Equipment A standard tennis court is 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles (36 feet for doubles). It is divided by a net. Players use a strung racket to hit a felt-covered rubber ball over the net into the opponent's side of the court.
2. The Basic Objective The core objective is simple: hit the ball into the opponent's court so they cannot return it successfully. A point is won when the opponent fails to return the ball within the boundaries (the lines are "in") or commits a rule violation.
3. Understanding the Unique Scoring System This is where tennis rules often seem unique. Points progress as: Love (0), 15, 30, 40, Game.
- You must win by 2 points. If both players reach 40-40, it's called "Deuce."
- The next point winner gets "Advantage." Winning the following point wins the game; losing it returns the score to Deuce.
- Winning 6 games usually wins a "set," but you must lead by at least 2 games (e.g., 6-4). A match is typically best of 3 or 5 sets.
4. Starting Play: The Serve Each point begins with a serve. The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball diagonally into the opponent's service box. You get two attempts for a valid serve. A missed serve is a "fault"; two faults result in a "double fault," and you lose the point.
5. During the Rally After a successful serve, a rally begins. Players hit the ball back and forth. The ball can only bounce once on each side before it must be returned. Hitting the ball into the net, outside the court lines, or before it crosses the net results in losing the point.
6. Key Rule Violations to Avoid
- Foot Fault: Stepping on or over the baseline before hitting the serve.
- Double Bounce: Letting the ball bounce twice on your side.
- Touch: Touching the net with your body or racket during a point.
- Carry/Double Hit: Catching or hitting the ball twice with your racket.
Now you have a solid foundation of the basic tennis rules! With this short introduction, you can confidently step onto the court or better enjoy professional matches. Remember, practice is the best way to internalize these rules and improve your game. Grab a racket and have fun!