The rules of tennis are relatively basic compared to other sports, and tennis courts are often present in many different locations around most cities. Tennis can also be played both indoors and outdoors. However, it is important to understand some easy tennis rules before beginning to play.
Keeping Score
The basic scoring system in professional men's tennis is game-set-match. The first player to win six games wins a set, and the first to win three sets, wins the match.
After deciding on a server (either by a racket spin or a coin flip), the first server starts, with the game starting at love-love (0-0). The first point scored is 15, followed by 30, 40 and game. If the game is tied at 40, it is pushed to deuce. Players must win by two points.
Taking six games wins a set. If the score is tied at five, the winner must get to seven to win. If the game is tied at six, the players engage in a one-game playoff to determine the winner of the set.
Serving
The serve is the first stroke used in tennis. When serving, you begin facing the right side of the net and must serve into the left service box on a fly. Missing the opposite service box results in a fault. Two faults in a row results in the loss of the point, often referred to as a double fault. The players alternate serving each game.
Volleying
After a successful serve, the receiver must return the ball before it bounces twice. If the ball bounces twice before the receiver can get to it or if the receiver returns the ball into the net or misses the server's side of the court, the server earns a point. If the return is successful, then the initial server gets a chance to keep volleying.
The volley continues until the point is over. If the ball touches the baseline or sideline, the ball is still in play. At that point, the server serves again until the game is over. The players alternate serving each game.
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