Tennis is a game you can play from childhood until an advanced age. The rules are relatively simple and are typically enforced by the players on the court, though competitive matches may have an umpire and line judges to ensure fair play. To start playing tennis, you need only keep in mind a few common rules.
Scoring
Scoring is tracked by game, set and match. In a game, either side can gain a point during play if the ball goes out or isn't returned by the opposing team. Scoring starts at zero--called "love"--then increases to 15, 30 then 40 and game. If you tie with the opposing side, your score is the score "all"; for example, "30 all" means both sides have two points. A tie at 40 is called deuce. You must win by two points if your score is deuce, typically scored so that the team with the advantage and close to winning is noted. For example, a server announcing the score at deuce, with her team having scored one more point, announces "ad-in"--the team with the advantage is the team that is serving. If the opposing team has the advantage at deuce, the server would say, "ad-out." A set is typically played until eight games are completed in recreational play or until six games are won in professional matches. A match is completed at three sets.
Lines
In singles' tennis, the inner lines of the sides of the court mark the outer edges of fair play territory. In doubles' tennis, the outer lines mark the outer edges of fair play. For both singles' and doubles' tennis, the back line, called the base line, marks the back edge of the court.
The service area lines are the same for both as well. The service box alternates from right to left, depending on which side the server uses. The mid-line--from the net to the service line--and the inner alley line mark the vertical boundaries. The service line marks the back line of the service box.
Starting Play
For recreational play, teams or players spin rackets and call. The winner determines either service or side choice. Teams or players take positions on the court and start play, if they have warmed up. If not, a brief warm up, typically five minutes, starts at the service line, progressing to the base line as players are ready.
When play begins, the players take positions on the court and the server announces the score as zero-zero before serving. Each player gets two attempts to get the ball over the net for a serve, unless the ball hits the net and bounces onto the opposing side. In this case, a "let" is called and the server gets a chance to re-do the "let" serve. If the ball doesn't go over the net in two attempts--three with a "let"--the server has double faulted and switches to the next side of his court to continue serving unless the double fault ends the match.
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