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For some of us who are just
starting to play tennis or getting to know the game, we may need to know the
basic rules of tennis. The game may seem simple when we watch it because
the ball just basically needs to go from one player to the other. It is
simple in a way, but it becomes more complicated with the strokes or
techniques that are needed to give difficulty to your opponent in hitting
the ball. The basic rules of tennis are simple but the game itself is
complex.
Here are the basic rules of
tennis:
Basic Rules of Tennis #1
Players stand on opposite
sides of the court. The server is the player who starts to deliver
the ball to start the point, and the receiver is the player who
stands opposite and cross-court from the server.
Basic Rules of Tennis #2
A toss of a coin or racquet
decides the player’s right to serve, receive or choose the side of the
court. If the choice of service or receiver is chosen, the opponent chooses
which side to start.
Basic Rules of Tennis #3
The server stands behind
what is called the baseline on the deuce court inside the borders of the
singles court when playing singles and inside the double sidelines when
playing doubles. Even points are played from the deuce court (the service
court on the player’s right) and the odd number points are played from the
advantage court (the service court on the left). The server should not
serve until the receiver is ready. Serves are made from server’s deuce
court to opponent’s service box, or from the advantage court to advantage
box. The server loses a point if the target is missed twice. If the ball
hits the net but goes to the correct service box, then the server is granted
another serve. The server should not step on the baseline before contact is
made otherwise the serve shall be deemed a fault.
Basic Rules of Tennis #4
The receiver is believed
ready if an effort is made to return the server’s ball. The receiver is
allowed to stand where he likes but must allow the ball to bounce in the
service box first, if he hits the ball before it bounces, the server wins
the point. It is deemed a fault if the ball does not land in the service
box and a second serve is given.
Basic Rules of Tennis #5
If the server wins the
first point, he gets a score of 15. The second point is called 30. The third
point is called 40. The game is won when the score is 40-40, also called
LOVE in tennis, meaning zero. The score 40-40 is also identified as deuce,
one player must win by two points. If the server wins the next point, he
wins the game, this is called Advantage-In. It is called Advantage-Out if
the receiver has a chance to win the game on the next point.
Basic Rules of Tennis #6
The opponent serves the
next game. To win a set you have to win six games, but you also have to get
two or more games than your opponent. If you get 6-6 first, you play a
tiebreaker. The first player to get seven points or more wins the
tiebreaker and the set.
Basic Rules of Tennis #7
The player loses the point
if the ball goes to the net or outside the boundaries of the court. He also
loses a point if he touches the net, drops his racquet as he’s hitting the
ball, bounces the ball over the net, hits a part of the surroundings, the
ball touches him or his partner, or he intentionally attempts to distract
the opponent.
Basic Rules of Tennis #8
If the ball rolls on the
court or there is a interruption from somebody besides the players on the
court, a let is called.
Basic Rules of Tennis# 9
A ball landing on the line
is still good.
Basic Rules of Tennis#10
The original point or game
will stand in the event of a player serving out of turn or serves to the
wrong person or court.
So whether you’re a
beginner just trying to get the ball in a single’s court or an advanced
doubles team, tennis will always be a game of knowing where to aim the ball
and following the basic rules of tennis.
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