Tennis, long a popular game around the world, offers the option of playing matches in either a singles or doubles format. When the modern Olympics began in Athens, Greece, in 1896, both singles and doubles were included, and both also are part of most major tennis events around the world, such as Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Singles and Doubles
Singles play in tennis features two players facing off against each other. Doubles involves four players--two teams of two. Given the wide range of variations during the development of the game, it is difficult to say whether tennis began as a game of singles or doubles. We do know that when the tournament known as Wimbledon began in 1877, it initially featured only singles. Doubles was added six years later.
Court Dimensions
One of the more noticeable differences between singles and doubles--aside from the number of players--involves the dimensions of the court. The dimensions used for doubles incorporate long, narrow areas on the right and left sides, extending from baseline to baseline, which are not used for singles play. This additional area increases the width of a doubles court to 36 feet from the 27 feet of a singles court. These added lanes, known as doubles alleys, are considered "in play" for doubles matches on all shots besides serves, which still must land within the same service boxes used for singles.
Serving
Singles switches the serve from player to player at the conclusion of each game. Doubles follows a similar practice, but in addition all four players must take a turn at serving in an order that will continue for the duration of the set. If player 1 from team A serves the first game of the set, player 2 from that team must serve game 3 when service comes back to team A. At the beginning of a new set, teams may change the order in which they serve, but will be obligated to the new order for the duration of that set.
Basic Play
Each point in singles begins with the server behind his baseline and the other player positioned deep to receive serve. The server and receiver of serve take the same position in doubles, but the other two players frequently situate themselves closer to the net. This is not required, but many doubles players prefer these spots because of the opportunities they present to pick off a shot at the net. Once the serve has been returned by the player designated to receive serve, doubles allows for either player to hit the ball on their end of the exchange for the duration of the point.
Mixed Doubles and Canadian Doubles
One popular variation on standard doubles is known as mixed doubles. Mixed doubles pits two teams featuring one man and one woman each. Although this form of doubles is frequently played as a friendly, social activity, mixed doubles also is played at the professional level. There also is a hybrid of singles and doubles for situations when there are three players. Commonly known as Canadian doubles, this type of play pits two players against one. The single player is allowed to land shots in the doubles alley of the opposing team, while the team of two can land shots only inside the singles boundaries of the court.
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