TENNIS
The Basics
Tennis players use rackets to hit a tennis ball over a net in an effort to score
points. Points are scored when the tennis ball drops within the boundary of
the opposing court and cannot be returned. The first player to win four points
wins the game. A game must be won by a margin of two points. When a player
wins at least six games by two or more games, he or she wins a “set.”
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Length of a Match & Scoring
 When a side has no points, its score is called “Love.”
 The first point scored by each side in a game is called “15.”
 After 15, the point scored is “30,” and if players tie here it is “30 all.”
The third point is “40” and when tied here, the score is called “deuce.”
The fourth point scored to a side wins the game - except when the game is at deuce.
At deuce, one side must win the next two consecutive points in order to win the game. The first
point after deuce is known as the “advantage.” If the player with the advantage loses the next
point, the score returns to deuce.
Serving
Service always begins beyond the baseline behind the right-hand court and alternates every point
between the right and left service courts until the game is completed. The serve then passes to the
opposite player or side.
 The Serve - The server stands behind the baseline and tosses the ball above his or her head, and
in front of the shoulder. Then, using a throwing motion, with the arm holding the racket fully
extended, he or she strikes the ball with the racket. The tennis ball must be struck in the air and
the serving player may not step over the baseline onto the court until contact has been made with
the ball.
 Serving is always made diagonally across the court into the opposite “service court.” In the event
that the first serve does not make it into the service court, a “fault” is called and a second serve
is attempted. If the second serve also fails, it is a “double fault,” and the point is awarded to the
non-serving side.
 If a “let” occurs (the ball touches the net but lands within the boundaries of the opposite serving
court), the serve does not count as a fault and is tried again.
 The Return - The player receiving the incoming serve stands beyond the service court with his or
her racket held in front of the body.
o The serve must be allowed to bounce before hitting the service return.
The Volley
Two basic strokes exist in tennis: the forehand and backhand. However, there is an
assortment of different shots within these two strokes players use when striking the ball.
Players must keep their eyes on the ball at all times and follow through with their swing
to make proper contact.
 Forehand - Used by players when the ball is hit to their dominant hand side. To perform the
forehand properly, a player turns sideways to the net, takes a backswing, and then steps forward
to hit the ball.
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Backhand - Performed on shots hit to a player’s non-dominant hand side. A player positions his
or her body in the same way (but facing the opposite side) as the forehand. However, because
the forearm and racket cross the body on the back swing, the backhand is generally not as
powerful a shot as the forehand; many tennis players thus opt to hit the ball with a two-handed
backhand. This increases power but decreases range of motion (reach).
Ground Stroke - The most frequently used stroke in the game. It describes any shot in which the
ball is struck after it first bounces on the court. A groundstroke is hit either as a backhand or a
forehand.
Volley - Opposite of the groundstroke. It occurs when the ball is struck in the air before it
bounces on the court.
Did You Know…
The game as it is played today comes from Great Britain, where it originated as lawn tennis
in the mid-1800’s. However, there is some dispute as to who actually invented the modern
game. The All England Croquet Club makes its claim having sponsored the first open tennis
tournament, in Wimbledon, in 1880. Later in that year the All England Club published the
most comprehensive set of rules, which closely resemble those used today.
Who Plays Where
Players compete one against one as singles, or as doubles (two against two). In either match up, players
must cover the entire court surface. However, in singles play the court is narrower and players must hit
the ball inside the singles sidelines in order to score points. In either format players alternate “serving”
between games.
Tennis Terminology
 Ace- A serve that cannot even be touched by the receiving player. It earns the server a point.
 Advantage (“In” or “Out”)- Describes the first point won by a side following deuce. When the
serving side wins this point it is called advantage-in (ad- in). If the non-serving side wins the
point, it becomes “break point” and the advantage is out. The side holding the advantage wins
the game by winning the very next point. However, if the side with the advantage loses the next
point, the score returns to deuce and the advantage is lost.
 Break Point- When a non-serving player has the scoring advantage and is one point away from
winning the game, or 30-40. If the non-serving player loses the next play, the score becomes
Deuce.
o Double Break point- When a non-serving player has the scoring advantage and is two
points away from winning the game (15-40).
o Triple Break point- When a non-serving player has the scoring advantage and is three
points away from winning the game (Love-40).
 Breaking Serve- Describes when the non-serving side wins the game (“breaking” the server’s
service game).
 Fault- Called when a serve is illegal or fails to land in the service court.
 Foot Fault- Occurs when a player steps across the baseline prior to hitting the
ball on his or her serve.
 Holding Serve- When a serving player wins his or her own service game.
 Let- Called when a served ball touches the net cord prior to going over it but
still lands within the service court.
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Service Court - The area of the court between the net, the singles sideline, the center line and
the service line into which the ball is served. A serve that lands on the lines of the service box is
IN.
Set- The grouping of games in a match.
o Each set is played until one side wins a total of six games by a margin of at least two
games.
o The set score can go to 7. If a player is ahead 6 games to 5, then one game will win the
set with a score of 7-5. If a set is even at six games apiece (6-6), a “tie-break” is played for
the seventh game (the set final score would be 7-6).
Set Point (and Match Point)- Occurs when a player is one point away from winning the set or
match. Double and triple set or match points describe when a player has a two or three point
lead in a game that would decide the set or match.
Tiebreak- If players are tied at six games each in a set, a tiebreak may be used to decide the
winner.
Net
No player, any part of that player’s equipment or clothing may touch the net or break the plane of the
net.
Scoring in Tennis
Scoring in Tennis consists of points that make up a game, games that make up sets, and sets that make
up a match.
 The winner is the player who wins the most sets out of 3 or 5, depending
on the league or tournament. Women always play best of 3 (must win 2
of 3).
 A set is played until someone wins a minimum of six games with a 2game margin over their opponent. If the player with 6 games doesn’t
have a 2 game advantage in the set (6 games to 6), a tiebreak is usually
used.
Scoring points:
 0 points = “Love”
 1 point = “15”
 2 points = “30”
 3 points = “40”
 4 points = Game over (if ahead by 2 or more*)
 *A score of:
 30-30 = “30 all”
 40-40 = “Deuce”
 Deuce + Server wins point = “ad in”
 Deuce + Server loses point = “ad out”
 Ad in + server wins point = Game over (server wins)
 Ad in + server loses point = “deuce”
 Ad out + server wins point = “deuce”
 Ad out + server loses point = Game over (receiving player or team wins)
Box score for a 3-set match:
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Set 1
Set 2
Set 3
Player 1
6
5
6
Player 2
4
7
7
In set 1, player 1 won 6 games to 4.
In set 2, the set went to a seventh game with no tiebreak because player 2 was able to win by 2
games without a tiebreak. If the score was 6-6, a tiebreak would be needed (unless rules
stipulate otherwise).
In set 3, a tiebreak was necessary. In a tiebreak a player serves for one point and then the
opponent serves, with each player serving for 2 points in-a-row.
o Tie breaks are played up to 7 points (minimum) with a player having to win by 2 points. If
a player reaches 7 but is not winning by two, play continues, point by point (no deuce is
used) until someone wins by two points. When a player wins, the tiebreak game is
recorded as the 7th game of the set, regardless of how many points had to be played to
win that game.