Rules & Etiquette of Tennis

Maj. Walter C. Wingfield of the British army has been credited with writing the rules of tennis, which have changed little since the late 1800s. Basic rules include the scoring system, court dimensions and equipment guidelines. Tennis etiquette is different from the rules, covering a wide range of player behavior.

  1. Court

    • Tennis rules dictate the boundaries of play within the court. The boundaries for doubles play is 36 feet wide by 78 feet long. Singles play boundaries are the same length, but the width is only 27 feet.

    Racket

    • A racket can have a maximum length of 32 inches and a maximum width of 11-1/2 inches. The racket head cannot be more than 15-1/2 inches long.

    Balls

    • The tennis ball must be white or yellow, made of a fabric material and weigh between 56 and 59.4 grams.

    Etiquette

    • Tennis etiquette involves learning the social manners that make playing the game enjoyable for everyone. As a player, you are expected to conduct yourself on the court in a sportsman-like way.

    Examples of Etiquette

    • Good tennis etiquette is having respect for your opponent, wearing proper shoes, not shouting or cursing and even closing the gate behind you in a fenced area. Tennis etiquette is calling the ball fairly and giving your opponent the benefit of the doubt when a play is close.