Tennis Court Etiquette

Whether you're planning a game of tennis with friends or have been invited to the tennis court by a colleague, it's important to adhere to the rules of etiquette so that the game will go well. Exhibiting good sportsmanship can also help you create a favorable reputation with business associates.

  1. Be Respectful

    • Players on the tennis court should be respectful to one another at all times. This means being courteous in speech and being patient with players who are not as skilled at the game. If there is a dispute, players should take the disagreement to another location, as their voices should not be heard by those playing tennis at nearby courts.

    Attire

    • It is acceptable for women to wear tennis skirts and polo shirts to the tennis court, but the skirt should not be extremely short, especially when playing tennis with a business associate. Men can wear shorts and polo shirts, although T-shirts are acceptable depending on the nature of the game. Tennis players should also wear only tennis shoes on the court; black-soled shoes can leave marks on the court that are hard to remove.

    Respecting Other Courts

    • It is not proper etiquette to walk onto another tennis court when players are engaged in a game. This is rude and distracting and could result in injury if players are serving while someone else is walking onto the court. If a ball goes into another court during a game, the players who have lost the ball should wait until the point is over to ask the players on the adjacent court to return the ball.

    Cleaning Up

    • Whenever players leave a tennis court, proper etiquette says that all trash and food be picked up and disposed of before exiting. Keep tennis supplies organized during the game, as this displays order and respect for other's property. When using tennis balls that are older, it is not acceptable to leave the balls on the court, even if players don't intend on using them again.

    Closing the Gate

    • When tennis players enter or exit the court, they should close the gate behind them. The gate should also be closed if there are children present; children should be monitored at all times while on the court and should follow all rules of tennis court etiquette.