Tennis Rules Explained Simply: A Quick Guide in English for Beginners
Welcome to the exciting world of tennis! Whether you've just picked up a racket or want to better enjoy watching matches, understanding the basic rules is the first step. This guide provides a clear and simple introduction to tennis rules in English, helping you grasp the game quickly.
1. The Court and Equipment A tennis court is divided by a net. The main lines are the baselines (back), sidelines (sides), and the service lines. The court can be used for singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side). Players use a strung racket to hit a felt-covered rubber ball over the net.
2. Starting the Game: The Serve Every point begins with a serve. The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball into the diagonally opposite service box on the other side of the net. You get two attempts to make a valid serve. If both fail, it's a "double fault," and you lose the point.
3. Understanding the Unique Scoring System Tennis scoring can seem unusual at first. Points progress from Love (0), to 15, then 30, and 40. 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.
4. Playing a Point and Basic Rules After a successful serve, players hit the ball back and forth. The ball must land within the boundaries of the court (including the lines). You must return the ball before it bounces twice on your side. You lose the point if:
- The ball bounces twice.
- You hit the ball into the net.
- You hit the ball outside the court boundaries.
- You touch the net or the ball with your body.
5. Winning a Game, Set, and Match
- Game: You win a game by winning at least four points with a two-point lead, as explained in the scoring.
- Set: To win a set, you must win at least six games with a two-game lead (e.g., 6-4). If the score reaches 6-6, a special "tiebreak" game is usually played to decide the set.
- Match: Most matches are played as the best of three sets (win two sets) or the best of five sets (win three sets).
Now you have a solid foundation in the basic rules of tennis! The best way to learn is to watch a match or, even better, get on the court and practice. Enjoy the game