Explore the rules, etiquette and terminology of tennis.

Tennis Rules

Below is a basic guide to the rules of tennis. For a comprehensive set of rules, please visit the International Tennis Federation Rules and Regulations.

Scoring

Tennis has unique terminology for scoring. When announcing the score, the server’s score is always stated first. A score of zero is called "Love." From there, the points progress as 15, 30, 40, and then "Game." If both players reach 40, it’s called "Deuce." To win from Deuce, a player must win two consecutive points; the first point after Deuce gives a player "Advantage." If the player with Advantage wins the next point, they win the game. If they lose the next point, the score returns to Deuce. A set is won when a player wins six games with at least a two-game lead. If the score reaches 6-5, another game is played. If a player wins that game, making the score 7-5, they win the set.

Doubles and Singles: Tennis can be played in different formats: Men's and Women's Singles, Men's and Women's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. Singles focuses on moving your opponent side-to-side in the back court, while Doubles is played more at the net, faster-paced, and emphasizes specific shots and strategy. Both formats follow the same scoring rules, but the court is larger in doubles.

Choosing the First Server: A coin or racket toss typically decides which player or team serves first. The winner of the toss can choose to serve or receive, or decide which side of the court to start on. The server alternates after each game, and players switch ends after odd-numbered games (1, 3, 5, etc.).

Playing the Ball​​​​​​​​​​​​​​: The ball is hit back and forth by two or four players. It can only be hit once before being returned over the net, even in Doubles. Players may let the ball bounce once before hitting it, but this is not required. If the ball bounces more than once, is hit more than once, hits the net and doesn’t cross, or lands out of bounds, the point goes to the opponent.

If any part of the ball touches the sideline or baseline, it is considered in. For Singles play, the ball must land on or within the singles sidelines. After the serve, players can hit the ball from any position on the court.

Serving

The server keeps serving throughout a game, and the serve alternates between players after each game. The server stands behind the baseline and on the correct side of the center mark. The side changes after each point, so a player who serves to the right of the line for the first point must serve to the left for the second point, and so on. The serve must land in the opponent’s service box diagonally across the net. If the server steps on or over the baseline before striking the ball, it’s a foot fault. If the ball doesn’t cross the net or lands outside the service box, it’s a fault. Two consecutive faults result in a double fault, awarding the point to the opponent. If a serve is legal but not returned by the opponent, it’s called an ace, and the server wins the point.

A "let" occurs if the ball hits the net but still lands in the service box, if a player serves before an opponent is ready to resume play, or if the serve is interrupted by an external factor, like crowd noise. No fault is charged, and the serve is replayed.

Tennis Etiquette

To ensure a pleasant experience for all players, please follow these points of etiquette:

Entering or Crossing the Courts: Wait until a point is over before entering or crossing the courts. Always close the gates behind you.

Sportsmanship: Conduct yourself with respect for your opponent. Avoid shouting or cursing. Make fair calls—if in doubt, replay the point. Clearly announce the score before each point, return balls efficiently, and shake hands at the end of a match.

Court Attire: Wear appropriate footwear to avoid damaging the courts.

Mobile Phones: Keep phones turned off or on silent during play.

Clean Up: Dispose of your rubbish properly or take it home with you.

Supervision of Children: Ensure children follow court etiquette – supervise  both on and off the court. No bikes or scooters are allowed on the courts, as they can damage the surface.

Have Fun! Tennis is both great exercise and loads of fun! Following proper etiquette ensures everyone has a good experience

Tennis Terminology

Here are some common tennis terms:

Ace: A serve that the opponent cannot touch.

Advantage: The point won after Deuce; one more point is needed to win the game.

Backhand: A stroke where the back of the hand faces the ball (the opposite of a Forehand).

Backspin: A shot such that the ball rotates backwards after it is hit; also known as slice or underspin.

Baseline: The line at the far ends of the court, marking the boundary.

Break Point: A point where the receiver can win the game by breaking the server’s serve. Arises when the score is 30–40 or 40–Adv. A double break point (or two break points) arises at 15–40; a triple break point (or three break points) arises at 0–40.

Bye: The automatic advancement of a player to the next round of a tournament without facing an opponent.

Court: The area designated for playing a game of tennis.

Crosscourt: Hitting the ball diagonally into the opponent's court.

Deep: Describes a shot that lands near the baseline, as opposed to near the net.

Deuce: A 40-40 score; the game continues until one player wins by two consecutive points.

Double Fault: Two consecutive serving faults, resulting in a lost point.

Doubles: A match with four players, two on each side.

Down the Line: Describes a ball hit straight along the sideline to the opponent's side of the court.

Drop Shot: A play in which the player hits the ball lightly enough to just go over the net; designed to catch a player who is away from the net off guard.

Fault: A serve that doesn’t land in the correct area.

Foot Fault: When the server steps on or over the baseline during the serve.

Forced Error: A miss caused by an opponent's good play; contrasted with unforced error.

Forehand: A stroke where the front of the hand faces the ball (the opposite to Backhand).

Game Point: The point that can win a game for the leading player.

Half Volley: A shot made after a short bounce or simultaneously to the bounce.

Head: The portion of the racket that contains the strings.

Hold Serve: To win the game when serving.

Kick Serve: A type of spin serve that bounces high.

Let: A serve that requires a replay. A "let" occurs if the ball hits the net but lands in the service box, if a player serves before an opponent is ready to resume play, or if the serve is interrupted by an external factor, like crowd noise. No fault is charged.

Lob: A stroke where the ball is hit high above the net. If the opposing player or players are up at the net, the intention may be an offensive lob in order to win the point outright. In a defensive lob, the intent is to give the player time to recover and get in position, or, if the opponents are at the net, to force them to chase down the lob.

Love: A score of zero (e.g., "15-love" means 15-0). "To hold to love" means "to win the game when serving with the opponent scoring zero points"; "To break to love" means "to win the game when receiving with the opponent scoring zero points".

Match Point: The point that can win the match for the leading player.

Mixed Doubles: A tennis match played by four players, with one male and one female on each team.

Net: The interlaced fabric, cord, and tape stretched across the entire width of the court; it is held up by the posts.

No-man's Land: The area between the service line and the baseline, where a player is most vulnerable.

Out: Describes a ball that lands outside the play area.

Overhead (also known as "smash"): A strong, over-the-head shot, often winning the point.

Passing Shot: A shot that passes by (not over) the opponent at the net (see also lob).

Point: The period of play between the first successful service of a ball and the point at which that ball goes out of play.

Racquet: A bat with a long handle and a large looped frame with a string mesh tautly stretched across it, the frame made of wood, metal, graphite, composite, or another synthetic material, used by a tennis player to hit the tennis ball during a game of tennis.

Rally: A series of shots exchanged between players before the point ends.

Receiver: The person who is being served to.

Second Service: The second and final of the two serves a player is allowed at the beginning of a point.

Serve: To begin a point by hitting the ball into the opponent's half of the court.

Set Point: The point that can win a set for the leading player.

Singles: A tennis game played by two players.

Slice: A shot with underspin.

Smash: A strongly hit overhead, typically executed when the player who hits the shot is very close to the net and can therefore hit the ball nearly vertically, often so that it bounces into the stands, making it unreturnable.

Spin: Rotation of the ball as it moves through the air, affecting its trajectory and bounce.

Strings: The material weaved through the face of the racquet. The strings are where contact with the ball is supposed to be made.

Stroke: A striking of the ball.

Sweetspot: The central area of the string bed which is the desired location for making contact with the ball.

Tiebreak: A special game at the score 6–6 in a set to decide the winner of the set; the winner is the first to reach at least seven points with a difference of two over the opponent.

Topspin: Spin of a ball where the top of the ball rotates toward the direction of travel; the spin goes forward over the top of the ball, causing the ball to dip and bounce at a higher angle to the court.

Tramline: A line defining the limit of play on the side of a singles or doubles court.

Unforced Error: During play, an error in a service or return shot that cannot be attributed to any factor other than poor judgment and execution by the player.

Volley: A shot hit before the ball bounces (excluding overheads).

Winner: A shot that the opponent cannot reach, winning the point.