What is Tennis?
Tennis is played by two or four people on a court divided by a low net. Each player has a racket, and points are scored by hitting a ball over the net in such a way that it bounces inside the court and cannot be returned. “Real” or Royal, tennis originated in France during the Middle Ages and was very popular among the European noblemen of the 16th century, but it was not until the 19th century that “lawn tennis” was first played. The sport quickly became very popular with both men and women. Today tennis is played on clay, cement, wood, and plastic courts, as well as on grass.
Real – or Royal – tennis used to be the sport of kings and was a favorite pastime of the French and English monarchy. Henry VIII of England built a court at his Hampton Court palace in the 16th century, that is still used by the real tennis enthusiasts today.
Tennis first became popular in the 1870s, when it was known as sphairistike – the Greek word for “ball game”. This was soon shortened to “sticky”.
Glossary of Tennis Terms
Ace: A ball that is served so well to an opponent that it cannot be touched with his/her racket.
Backcourt: The area between the service line & baseline
Back Swing: Moving the racket back from the ready position that prepares the player for the forward swing.
Baseline: The end boundary line of the tennis court (39 feet from the net).
Chop Shot: A backspin shot in which the racket strikes the ball at greater than a 45 degree angle.
Closed Face: When the hitting face of the racket is turned down toward the court.
Crosscourt Shot: A shot in which the ball travels diagonally across the net, from one corner to the other.
Deuce: A score of 40-40 in tennis (the score is tied and each side has at least 3 points). When there is a deuce score a player (or team in doubles) must lead by two points to win the game.
Doubles: A match played with four people, each team having two players.
Drive: An offensive shot hit with force.
Drop Shot: A softly hit ball just over the net, usually hit with a chopping motion.
Fault: An error in the service attempt or an improperly hit ball; long or wide serve and net serve in tennis.
Foot Fault: Caused by the server stepping on or over the baseline before hitting the ball in service.
Forecourt: The front part of the court or the area from the net to the service line.
Game: It is part of a set that is completed when one player or side wins four points or wins two consecutive points after deuce.
Ground Strokes: Strokes made after the ball has bounced, either forehand or backhand.
Let: A point replayed with no penalty. Usually caused by outside interference or during a serve when the ball touches the top of the net, but is otherwise good.
Lob: A ball hit high enough in the air to pass over the head of the net player.
Match: The player or team who wins two out of three sets.
Rally: Hitting the ball back and forth between opponents except the serve.
Serve/Service: Method of starting a point.
Set: Part of a match that is completed when one player or side wins at least six games and is ahead by at least two games or has won the tie breaker..
Singles: A match played with two people.
Slice: A backspin shot that is hit with the racket traveling down through the ball at less than a 45 degree angle with the ground.
Smash: A hard overhead shot.
Volley: To hit the ball before it bounces.
Basic Rules of Tennis
· Court: Tennis is played on a court 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles and 36 feet wide for doubles. The court is divided in half by a tightly strung net that is 3’ 6” at the posts and only 3 feet high in the center.
· Serve: The server must stand with both feet at rest behind the base-line and within an imaginary continuation of the center-mark and side lines. The server then must toss the ball in the air and strike it before it hits the ground with the racket.
The first serve of the game is made from the right of the center mark and served to the service court which is diagonally opposite. The second serve is made from the left of the service mark to the diagonally opposite service court.
Determining the serving team or player: Most times a coin toss will determine who serves first. Sometimes spinning the racket will serve the purpose just as well. When this is done, the racket is placed head down on the ground and spun
· Faults: During play it is a fault and a point will be awarded to your opponent if the following occurs:
o Hitting a ball out of bounds. A ball landing on the line is good. This should be determined by player in the court side on which the ball has been hit.
o Throwing your racket at a ball.
o If the ball touches you or your clothing.
o Playing the ball before it passes over the net.
o If your person, clothing, or racket touches the net.
o Hitting the ball more than once on an attempted return.
During the serve it is a fault to:
o Swing at the ball and miss.
o Hit the ball into the net.
o Step on the baseline before the racket hits the ball.
o Step over the baseline before the racket hits the ball.
o Have both feet off the ground before the racket hits the ball. (You may step on or across the baseline after the racket hits the ball.)
o Hit the net post and any other permanent fixtures.
· Scoring: The game of tennis is composed of points in a game, games in a set and sets in a match. The server’s score is always called first and the opponent’s score is called second. The following is the order in which points are scored:
“Love” – No Score
“15” – First Point
“30” – Second Point
“40” – Third Point
Next point after “40” is the game. If the score reaches 40-40, this is referred to as “deuce” and one player or team must win two consecutive points to win the game. The first point after deuce is “advantage in” if the server wins the point and “advantage out” if the receiver wins the point. If the player holding the advantage wins the next point the game is completed, if not the score goes back to deuce again.
Scoring in a Set:
In order to win a set player or team must win at least six games and be leading by at least two games, e.g., 6-3 or 6-2 is one complete set, 6-5 is not and 7-5 is a complete set.
Scoring in a Match:
A match consists of the total number of sets won. A match is usually the best two out of three sets or the best three out of five sets.
Etiquette and Court Manners
· If there is disagreement whether the ball was clearly in or out, play the point over.
· Never walk behind a court (or enter one) while a rally is in progress.
· When a point is over, return the ball to your opponent, not merely in his/her general direction.
· If the opponent claims there was a major distraction while hitting a shot (such as a ball bouncing onto the court), don’t hesitate to replay the point.
· Verbal outbursts are distracting to your opponent and to players on other courts.
· Throwing equipment in anger is unsportsmanlike and dangerous. Control your temper on the court at all times.
· Give your opponent time to get into position to return the ball before you serve.
· It is the server’s responsibility to clearly announce the score before serving each point.
· Return stray balls to other courts, but not while a point is being played.
· Knows the rules of the game and observe them.
Most importantly-be a good sport at all times. If your opponent wins, don’t downgrade the victory with petty excuses.
