Tennis

Tennis Basics

The Objective

Tennis is played between two players in singles or two teams of two players in doubles.

The goal is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent's court in a way that the opponent cannot legally return it. A match is divided into points, games and sets.

Scoring

Tennis uses a unique scoring system within each game:

Love: Zero points.
15: One point.
30: Two points.
40: Three points.

A player generally needs to win at least four points and lead by two to win a game.

The server's score is listed first. For example, 30-15 means the server has won two points and the returner has won one.

Deuce & Advantage

When both players reach 40, the score is called deuce.

From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game. Winning the first point gives that player advantage. If she wins the next point, she wins the game. If she loses it, the score returns to deuce.

Sets & Match Format

A player generally wins a set by winning six games with at least a two-game advantage.

A score of 6-4 wins the set. At 6-5, play continues because neither player has a two-game advantage.

If the score reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is generally played.

Women's professional singles matches are typically best-of-three sets. The first player to win two sets wins the match.

Tiebreaks

A standard tiebreak is played to at least seven points, with the winner required to lead by two.

A set decided by a standard tiebreak is recorded as 7-6.

Serving

Every point begins with a serve. One player serves for an entire game, and the players alternate who serves from game to game.

The server gets up to two attempts to make a legal serve.

A failed first attempt is called a fault. If the second serve is also a fault, it is a double fault and the server loses the point.

An ace is a legal serve that the opponent cannot touch.

Breaks of Serve

Winning a game when your opponent is serving is called a break of serve.

Winning your own service game is called a hold.

A break point is a point where the receiving player can win the game by winning the next point.

The Court

Baseline: The line at the back of the court.
Sideline: The boundary running along each side of the court.
Service Box: The area where a serve must land.
Net: Divides the court in half.

Singles uses the narrower sidelines. The outer alleys are used in doubles.

Tournament Draws

Most professional tennis tournaments use a single-elimination draw. A player advances by winning her match and is eliminated when she loses.

Seeded players are placed throughout the draw so the highest seeds generally cannot face one another in the earliest rounds.

Some players compete in qualifying before the main draw begins. Players who advance through qualifying earn a place in the main draw.

A bye allows a player to advance through a round without playing a match.

Common Terms

Ace: A legal serve the opponent cannot touch.
Break: Winning a game while the opponent is serving.
Double Fault: Missing both service attempts and losing the point.
Hold: Winning your own service game.
Rally: A sequence of shots while the ball remains in play.
Winner: A shot the opponent cannot return.
Unforced Error: An error made without the opponent directly forcing the mistake.
Retirement (RET): A match begins, but a player is unable to finish it. Her opponent advances.
Walkover (W/O): A player withdraws before the match begins, so her opponent advances without the match being played.