Tennis Rules

We explain the basic rules of tennis that how scoring works.

Starting the Match

A coin toss is carried out. The winner of the toss elects to serve or to receive, while the loser can choose the side of the court they want to begin on.

Starting the Point (The Serve)

The server serves into what is known as the ‘service box’, which is the half court box in between the service line and the singles alley. To do this, the server needs to serve the ball diagonally into the service box. For the first point, the server should always start on the deuce court. The server has two opportunities to serve the ball into this box to begin play.

If the server hits the net or serves the ball out of this box, it is known as a ‘fault’. If this occurs twice in a row, the server has committed a ‘double fault’ and forfeits the point.

If the server hits the net and the ball falls inside the service box, it is called a ‘let’. The server is then allowed to re-serve as the ‘let’ serve is not counted.

Playing the Point

After the serve, you and your opponent will play out the point. You will need to hit the ball over the net and into the court. Your opponent may hit the ball before it lands on the court or let the ball bounce once before hitting it.

If your opponent hits the ball into the net or if the ball lands outside the court, then the point will be awarded to you. If you were the server and it was the first point played, the score will be 15-0 (the server’s score is indicated first).

Counting Scores (in a Game)

You will count the scores as follows:

0 point: Love

1 point: 15

2 points: 30

3 points: 40

4 points: Game (player has won a game)

At 40-40, a ‘deuce’ occurs. A deuce should always be on the deuce court. The players proceed to play out the point, with the winner taking the ‘advantage’. The player with the advantage only has to win one more point to win the game. However, if the player with the advantage loses the point, the score returns to 40-40, ‘deuce’.

Counting Scores (in a Set)

In order to win a set, you will need to win 6 games by a margin of at least 2 games, for e.g., 6-4, 7-5, 6-1.

Counting Scores (in a Tiebreak)

A tiebreak will be played if the score is tied at 6 games all (6-6).

The player that was due to serve will begin the serving in a tiebreak, from the deuce court. After this point, the opponent would get to serve twice. This sequence continues until one player wins the tiebreak.

To clinch the tiebreak, you will have to win 7 points by a margin of at least 2, for e.g., 7-5, 11-9, 7-1.