Basic Rules of Tennis

1. Respect & Sportsmanship

Always treat your opponents with courtesy and respect — this is the first and most important rule of tennis.

2. Server and Receiver

Players stand on opposite sides of the court. The server delivers the ball, and the receiver returns it.

3. Racket Spin

Before the match begins, players spin a racket to determine who serves first or chooses court side. The winner of the spin may:

• Serve first
• Receive first
• Choose which side of the court to start on
• Let the opponent choose first

4. Beginning the Game

The server stands behind the baseline and waits for the receiver to be ready. The ball must land in the diagonally opposite service box.

Each game starts from the right side. Server alternates sides after each point.

5. Service Faults

• If the serve lands outside the proper service box
• If the ball hits the net and doesn't land in
• If the ball hits anything before bouncing

If the ball hits an opposing player before bouncing, the point goes to the server.

6. Second Serve

After a first fault, the server gets a second attempt from the same position. A double fault results in a lost point.

7. Let Serve

If the served ball touches the net but still lands in the correct box, it is called a let and is replayed. There is no limit to lets.

8. Changing Server

After each game, the receiver becomes the server. Players change ends of the court after every odd-numbered game (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.).

9. Losing a Point

• Ball bounces twice before return
• Ball hits outside boundaries or obstacles
• Player or racket touches the net
• Ball contacts anything other than the racquet

10. Lines

Any ball landing on any part of the line is considered in.

11. Scoring a Game

• No point: Love
• 1st point: 15
• 2nd point: 30
• 3rd point: 40
• 4th point: Game

If both players reach 40, the score is Deuce. The next point is Advantage. A player must win two consecutive points from Deuce to win the game.

12. Winning a Set

To win a set, a player must win 6 games by a margin of at least 2. If the score reaches 6–6, a tie-break (first to 7 points) may be played.