Tennis is an increasingly popular sport. With stars such as Rafael Nadar and the Williams sisters, it attracts fans of many ages who want to try the sport. Before getting on a court, check some basic rules to ensure that you understand the key concepts behind fair play. The United States Tennis Association and the International Tennis Federation both provide clear guidelines on what constitutes fair play. While some rules are complex, the general rules of tennis are fairly simple.
Fair Play
The general rules apply to players whether playing doubles, which is two players per team, or singles, in which each player is the only member of a team. Opposing teams spin a racket and the winning team picks service or side. Once chosen, the teams take their appointed side and begin play.
For doubles play, the lines for fair play are the end line, called the baseline, and the outer lines on the sides. This is true except when serving, when the inner lines are used in combination with the service line--the line that runs horizontal to the net--and the midline, which runs to the service line, to create the serving fair play area.
For singles play, the service area is the same as doubles and the baseline is the same. However, the inner lines that run up and down the sides of the court determine the area of fair play.
A ball that lands on a line, in service or during regular play, is considered "in" and is fairly played. In addition, if you return a ball that is out without calling it out, the ball is considered in play.
Scoring
Scoring is based on points. Each point adds to the score of the team that scores the point. You do not need to be serving to score a point, and the server states the score with her team's score first, followed by the opposing team.
A game starts at zero, which is called "love" in the sport of tennis. Each additional point raises the score to 15, then 30, then 40. You must win a game by two points. If each team is at 40, called "deuce," your team must win by two points to win the game. Matches are scored according to a game. To win a match, you must win six games.
Attire
While tennis whites is required by the The Championships at Wimbledon, it is not required for regular tennis play. Sporting attire that is appropriate to physical activity is appropriate for tennis play. Women can wear tennis skirts, but they are not required. The most critical element to a tennis outfit is the shoes. Concrete, the most common surface at most tennis clubs, calls for non-marking shoes. This means that shoes with black soles not specifically noted as "non-marking" are forbidden from being used on the tennis surface.
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