The main rules of tennis govern how the game is played, including scoring, faults and service. In order to properly play the game---whether with a friend in a casual setting, competitively or professionally---you must first have a basic understanding of the main rules of the game.
Scoring
In tennis, points are scored by hitting the ball over the net so your opponent is not able to properly return it back over the net inside your court. If the ball bounces on your side of the court more than once, or the ball bounces on your side of the court without being returned, your opponent wins a point. Points have specific names in tennis. One point is 15, two points is 30, three points is 40 and four points wins the game, if you have two or more points than your opponent. If you don't, four points is called "advantage." You must win a game by two or more points.
Game, Set, Match
Most tennis competitions are played with a game/set/match system. A match is comprised of a series of sets, which is a series of games. To win a set, you must win six games by two. If players are tied 6-6 in games of a set, you play a tiebreaker game to determine the winner of the set. In most tennis settings, the first player to win two out of three sets wins the match. In professional tennis, male competitors play the best out of five sets to determine the winner of a match.
Service and Faults
Players must serve behind the back baseline of the tennis court. For even points, players serve from the right-hand side, called the deuce court. For odd points, the server stands on the left side of the court, called the advantage court. The server must hit the ball on the opposite side of his opponent's side of the court. Failure to do so results in a fault. Allowing the ball to hit the net on service is also a fault. You are allowed one fault per service. Another fault results in a point for your opponent. Stepping over the baseline before hitting the ball during service is also a fault.
Doubles
In singles tennis, the inner sidelines are used to determine if the ball is in or out. In doubles tennis, the outer sidelines are used. The teammate of a player serving the ball must stand in the service court opposite the server. Teammates must alternate service using the proper sides of the court as in singles tennis.
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