Tennis Rules Explained: A Simple English Guide for Beginners & Fans

Welcome to the exciting world of tennis! Whether you're a new player picking up a racket for the first time or a fan wanting to understand the game better, knowing the basic tennis rules is the first step. This simple English guide will walk you through the essentials of how to play tennis, making the sport easy and enjoyable to follow.

1. The Court and Equipment A standard tennis court is a rectangle, 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles (36 feet for doubles). It is divided by a net. Players use a strung racket to hit a felt-covered rubber ball over the net into the opponent's side.

2. The Core Objective The main goal is simple: hit the ball into the opponent's court so they cannot return it successfully. A point is won if the opponent hits the ball into the net, out of bounds, or misses it entirely.

3. Understanding the Unique Scoring System The tennis scoring system can seem unusual at first. Here’s the breakdown:

• Points progress: Love (0) -> 15 -> 30 -> 40 -> Game.
• If both players reach 40, it's called "Deuce." From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game: the first point is "Advantage," and the next point wins the game.
• To win a set, a player must win at least 6 games and be ahead by 2 games (e.g., 6-4). If the set reaches 6-6, a "tiebreak" game is usually played to decide the set (first to 7 points, leading by 2).
• Matches are typically best of 3 sets (women's/common tournaments) or best of 5 sets (men's Grand Slams).

4. Starting Play: The Serve Each point begins with a serve. The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball diagonally into the opponent's service box. Each player gets two attempts for a valid serve. A missed serve is a "fault"; two faults result in a "double fault," and the point is lost.

5. Basic Rules During a Rally

• The ball must bounce once on your side before you return it, except for volleys (hitting the ball before it bounces).
• The ball must land within the boundaries of the court. The lines are considered "in."
• Players cannot touch the net with their body or racket during a point.
• The ball cannot be hit twice or carried on the racket.

6. Key Regulations to Remember Other important tennis basic regulations include:

• Let: A serve that touches the net but lands correctly in the service box is replayed.
• Change of Ends: Players switch sides of the court after odd-numbered games (e.g., after game 1, 3, 5) and at the end of a set.
• Doubles Rules: The court is wider. Teams of two players take turns serving, and there is a specific serving order.

Now you have a solid grasp of the fundamental tennis rules! This knowledge will enhance your playing experience and make watching professional matches much more engaging. Grab a racket, find a court, and enjoy the wonderful game of tennis