The basic rules of tennis are straightforward. You win a point when your opponent does not return the ball over the net inside the boundaries of your side of the court before it bounces twice, or if your opponent serves a double fault. Scoring can be confusing initially as consecutive numbers are not used, but when you are used to the structure of points, games and sets, you can spend more time enjoying the game.
The Court Lines
A standard tennis court is 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles. In doubles the outside lines, known as tramlines, are used to make the court 36 feet wide. The court is divided across the middle by a net that is 3 feet high at the center. The lines across each end of the court are known as the baselines and the lines down the side are called sidelines. Service lines, drawn across the court to connect the singles sidelines, are 21 feet on each side of the net. The service boxes are marked by the center service line, which divides the court in half between the two service lines. There is a center mark on each baseline exactly halfway across the court.
Service Rules
Flip a coin to determine ends and the serving player. If you are serving, stand behind your baseline on the right side of the court. Your serve must be hit over the net and into the service box on the opposite side of the court. A fault is called if the ball lands outside the correct service box, your foot touches the baseline or you miss the ball when attempting to serve. A "let" occurs If the ball hits the net and lands in the correct service court. You can attempt the service again after a let. Two consecutive lets are considered a fault. If you serve two faults, your opponent wins the point. In a singles game you should change sides for service after each point.
Scoring
To win a game you must win at least four points, beating your opponent by two clear points. In tennis the first three points are called "15, 30 and 40," the fourth point is called "game." If the game is tied with both players on 40, the score is called as deuce. The game is then won by the next player to win two consecutive points.
To win a set you must win six games and have a two game margin over your opponent. At the start of a competition it is decided how many sets will be played. A men's game is usually first to three sets and a women's game first to two.
If a set reaches six games apiece, a tiebreak may be played. Normal numbers are used in a tiebreak, and to win you must win seven points with a two-point margin over your opponent.
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