The Game
Tennis is a game played on a rectangular-shaped court, which can be one of many surfaces. It is either played with two players (singles match), or four players (doubles match). Players stand on opposite sides of the net and use a stringed racket to hit the ball back and forth to each other.
SINGLES
Tennis singles is a form of the sport where two players compete against each other on opposing sides of the court. Each player aims to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the designated boundaries on the opponent's side. Singles matches follow the standard tennis scoring system, and the first player to win a set number of games, typically six, with a margin of at least two games, emerges as the winner of the match. Tennis singles emphasizes individual skill, strategy, and endurance, making it a dynamic and engaging format of the game.
DOUBLES
Tennis doubles is a variant of the sport in which two teams, each consisting of two players, compete against each other on a rectangular court divided by a net. The objective is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent's designated boundaries. Each team alternates hitting the ball, and the serving team aims to win points by strategically placing shots that the opposing team cannot return successfully. Doubles matches follow the same scoring system as singles, with sets typically won by the first team to secure six games, with a lead of at least two games. Communication and teamwork are crucial in doubles play, as players need to coordinate their movements, cover the court effectively, and anticipate their opponents' shots. Tennis doubles brings an additional layer of strategy and collaboration to the game, making it a dynamic and social format that showcases both individual skills and team coordination.
MIXED DOUBLES
Mixed doubles in tennis is a format where each team consists of one male and one female player. Similar to regular doubles, the teams compete against each other on a tennis court divided by a net. The serving team alternates between male and female players, and the receiving team follows suit. The objective is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent's court, with the aim of winning games and sets. Mixed doubles matches follow the standard tennis scoring system, and the first team to win a set number of games, usually six, with a lead of at least two games, emerges victorious in each set. This format brings an added dimension to the game, as it requires diverse playing styles, coordination between male and female players, and effective communication on the court. Mixed doubles is often played in major tennis tournaments, adding a social and collaborative aspect to the sport.
THE BASICS
Each player or team has a maximum of one bounce after the ball has been hit by their opponent to return the ball over the net and within the boundaries of the court. In wheelchair tennis, players get a maximum of two bounces. When a player then fails to return the ball into the correct court, the opponent wins a point. The aim of tennis is to win enough points to win a game, enough games to win a set, and enough sets to win a match.
STARTING THE MATCH
Before warming up with your opponent, either player or team will spin their racquet and the winner of the spin will have some options to choose from. They can choose one of these 3 options:
- To serve or receive
- The side of the court
- Or defer their choice to their opponent --but the opponent cannot defer back
Once the winner of the toss chooses one of the options above, the opponent has the remaining choice.
SCORING
Tennis has a different point system than most sports. Before we go into detail, here is your guide to scoring a game:
- 0 points = Love
- 1 point = 15
- 2 point = 15
- 3 point = 15
- Tied score = All
- 40-40 = Deuce
- Server wins deuce point = Ad-In
- Reciever wins deuce point = Ad-Out
WHO WINS?
In order to win the game, a player must win at least four points. If you are up 40-30, 40-15 or 40-love, and win one more point, you win the game. If the score is tied in a game or set, you use the term “all” when announcing the score. For example, if you and your opponent have both won two points in the game, the score would be 30-all.
WHAT IS DEUCE?
The only time this is different is when both you and your opponent have won three points each and the score is 40-40. This is called deuce. When the score reaches deuce, one player or team will need to win at least two points in a row to win the game. When the server wins the deuce point, it is called Ad-In, but when they lose the deuce point, it is called Ad-Out. If the team with the advantage (Ad-In or Ad-Out) wins another point, they win the game, or it goes back to deuce.
SCORING A MATCH
The most common format used to play a tennis match is best-of-three tiebreak sets. This means that if you don’t win the first two sets, the third set will decide the match!
SWITCHING SIDES
Players or teams switch ends of the court on odd games. This means that after the first game is complete, they switch sides, as well as every two games after that.