Tennis is a highly competitive sport played by elite athletes, and it also is a recreational activity played by amateurs across the world. The game requires excellent ground strokes, a competent serve and a thorough knowledge of the rules. Tennis is a top cardiovascular activity that can get people in shape quickly. To play it competently, you need must understand the rules of the game.
Match Format
Most tennis matches are decided by the first player to win two of three sets. To win a set, a player has to win six games, and he has to have an advantage of two games. If a set ends tied at 6-6, a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner of the set. In tennis, a player who serves the first game of the set becomes the receiver in the next game, and the serve alternates throughout the match. To seize control of a set, you often must win when you are serving and win at least one game when your opponent is serving.
Scoring Points
The scoring system for tennis is a bit arcane, but it remains in place. If the server wins the first point of the game, the score is 15-love ("love" equals zero), and another point makes the score 30-love. If the receiver wins the following point, it is 30-15. When the sever wins the following point, the score is 40-15. If the server wins the next point, he wins the game. Essentially, the first player to win four points wins a game. However, if each player wins three points, the call on the court is "deuce," which is 40-40. At that point a player has to win two points in a row to win the game.
Serving and Return
To begin play in a game, a players stands at the baseline to the right of center court. He tosses the ball in the air and serves the ball into his opponent's left serving box. If the serve is not successful, he gets another attempt to put the ball in the box. If either serve goes in, the receiver tries to return it by hitting the ball over the net and having it bounce in the court. The game continues in this manner until the ball is not returned successfully.
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