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PLAYING TENNIS
Tennis can be played with two people (singles) or four people (Doubles). A "coin toss" or
spin of the racquet determines who serves first. Play begins with a serve from behind the
baseline into the Deuce court service box. One player serves for the entire game. On each point a player gets two
chances to serve into the proper box. If the serve strikes the top of the net and continues
into the proper service box, the player plays a Let (retakes the serve). Each point is
played from alternating sides (first to Deuce side, next to Ad side, then to Deuce side
again, etc.)
The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net inside the appropriate court lines
(inside sidelines for Singles, outside lines for Doubles). The ball may bounce no more than
once on each side of the net. If the ball touches any part of an appropriate line, it is
considered good. If, during play, the ball hits the top of the net and keeps on going into
the opponent's court, the play continues.
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SCORING
Regular Play: Nothing tends to confound new players more than the scoring system in tennis.
To avoid confusion remember, a Game consists of the first player to win 4 points but you
must be ahead by a margin of 2. However, each point in tennis has a "name". For example,
the name zero in tennis is "Love".
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1 point won = "Fifteen"
3 point won = "Forty"
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2 Points won = "Thirty"
4 points won = "Game"
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Tied at 3-3 = "Deuce" (always played to the Deuce side)
1 point won after "Deuce" = "Advantage" (A player with "Advantage" winning the next point
wins the Game, if they lose score returns to "deuce". A player must win 2 points in a row
to win the game.) First to win 6 Games wins the Set. First to 2 Sets wins the Match.
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Tie-Breaker
If the players are tied 6-6 in games, a special game called a "Tie-Breaker" is played. The
player scheduled to serve starts by serving one point to the Deuce side. Each player after
that serves two points, the first from the Ad side and the 2nd from the Deuce side. The
first to 7 points wins the game (and the Set) but you must be ahead by a margin of 2
points. There are no "names" for the points in a Tie-Breaker. For example, a player can win
7-5 but if the points are tied 6-6 someone must win 8-6.
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ETIQUETTE
Novice players are often intimidated by the "unwritten" code of acting that comes with the
game. There are two basic elements to remember for court etiquette:
Crossing Courts: If you need to cross a court (with a game in progress)
remember to cross at the back. Do not disturb players in a game or rally. Wait for the
point or rally to end before crossing.
Ball Etiquette: If your ball goes into another court, do not disturb the
game or rally in progress. Wait for a break in play and ask for your ball. If a ball comes
into your court and disturbs your game, stop the play and politely return their ball.
Replay your point.
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